Marin Winter Series finale - Two Hour Race

 

As the two hour race got under way, there was a pile up in the first couple of metres, with bars clipped and riders forced to dismount almost before they'd started: the surge and fast start pace had surprised all but the most seasoned campaigners.

 

Eventual winner, Gavin Stanford (right), despite starting at the back of the grid was fortunate not to be involved in the first pile up. Even so, as he fought his way up to the leading group, he encountered one or two crashes in front of him. Undeterred he finally caught the leading group of about 8 riders by the end of lap one.

 

As the race progressed the leading group whittled down. Race leader Ben Loaker suffered a puncture and after chasing to pick up the group he felt unable to continue due to ill health. Meanwhile male plus contender Roy Chamberlain was out in front, but behind him the pace picked up until he was brought back to the group. Sensing no one wanted to take on the race, Stanford attacked hoping to split the group. He succeeded and was quickly joined by Chamberlain.

 

The race was now between them and it went right to the wire: as the finish line beckoned, Stanford dived for the inside line in the sprint just edging out Chamberlain who was happy with his ride and the win in the Male two hour plus event.

 

John McAndrews edged Anthony Rowland into third spot to take second, but leaving enough points for Rowland to claim overall series victory. In the male plus event, Gary Houghton came home just under 6 mins later to pick up second spot in the race, with Jack Peterson picking up third and second overall, by out-sprinting series leader and eventual series winner Jef Sharp to pick up that coveted podium position.

 

Meggie Bichard (left) and Sarah Flatt battled out the women's two hour race, in a closely fought race, which saw each rider vying for the front, matching each other pace for pace. Eventually, on the final drag, Bichard took advantage of her rival and got away to claim her third win of they series and take the overall title. Flatt took second in both the race and series.  Clare Radford came home in third on the day, with Claire Sadler coming home in sixth to squeak into third spot in the overall series, with just a few points to spare over junior rider Anna Buick.

 

The junior race looked like a forgone conclusion with Torq rider Jay Spetch and series leader Lewis Marsh, leading from the gun and leaving the rest of the field at a standstill. By lap three Spetch was out on his own with Marsh retiring through illness. Then disaster struck: the Thetford 'Bumps claimed another victim as Spetch's saddle detached from his post, forcing him to retire with just one lap remaining.

 

Behind him a group of three juniors took up the challenge, with Michael Smith (right)  the eventual victor managing to break clear of the others to forge a clear minute's advantage at the finish over second-placed Shaun Hurrell. In third, Jake Moxham, rode a brave race despite suffering from a cold all week. His final position gave him enough points to claim the overall series win, just ahead of race winner Michael Smith who took second in the series.

 

Finally, in the Fun category, Richard Hughes (left) took the win from Paul Barber who in turn narrowly pipped Craig Finch at the finish line. Karin Oakes brought home the Fun women, finishing creditably in the top half of the fun field.

 

All-in-all, it was another well run event, put on by the Thetford MTB club, in conjunction with event sponsors Marin. Each race in the series has been well supported, with riders travelling from all over the UK to take part. The feedback as been excellent, as every one has enjoyed the camaraderie and atmosphere that makes this one of the UK's best-loved winter series.

 

Results >>>>

 

Riders' Comments:

Glen Stanford Men's 2hr winner

I only came to ride and not race, I was just treating it as a training ride, but I guess the competitive side kicked in and I was enjoying the race. It was a great event, good course, and nice flowing single-track with just a couple of sticky patches, nothing major. A great technical ride. I really enjoyed it.

 

Roy Chamberlain Men's plus 2 hr winner

A group of ten got away at the start, and then I managed to pull away from them. But I was riding too fast, blowing my head off, so I became more cautious, slowed down, let them catch me. I rode with them for a while, then Glen Stanford broke away and I went with him. We worked together for the rest of the race, and then he out-sprinted me at the end. It was a good event: I'm really pleased with my results. I'm more a road racer, so this is just training. I rode this event last year and really enjoyed it and will definitely be back next year to have another go.

 

Jake Moxham Junior Series winner

The race didn't go too well. I had a cold all week, but I needed to keep going to get position for overall points. I'm happy with the result, I knew I had to get on the podium to get overall. Thetford is one of my favourite places to race. It's flat and fast and the course designers have done a good job to keep it interesting all the way round.

 

Anthony Rowland Series winner 2hr men

There was a good group working together after about half way and keeping up a nice pace, high enough so no one could get back on. A few attacks took place kept the pace high. I was happy to sit in and treated it as high-end training. I just went out and rode to see what would happen. Great event just a little to cold for me.