Rigida Coud Cover Series - Round 4

February 12 2007

Birds Hill, Combe Sydenham

Report by Conrad Sutcliffe, Photos by Jacob Gibbings

With the narrowest winning margin of the day, Ben Baker (Balfa UK) won the 4th round of the Cloud Cover Winter Series on a new course on Birds Hill on the Combe Sydenham Estate. Bakers time of 1:23.112 pipped Alex Evans 1:23.279 by .137 of a second. Third senior was Ashley Mullane (Cove Bikes). This sets up a winner takes all final on the full Remec NPS course at Combe Sydenham next month as Baker, Evans and Mullane have a first a second and a third position each!

 

Ben Baker (left) and Alex Evans

The weather was not kind this weekend with snow on the course on Friday and heavy rain most of Saturday the track was very muddy and tested riders to the full. Just getting a clean run was most riders aim! The course stated with a slalom down the first open field section before dropping into the woods via a tricky bank. Some very difficult and slippery jumps followed then the first road crossing into a set of very steep and tight switch backs, which became very rutted but had some very quick higher lines for those with the skill and commitment to hit them. A second road crossing into a super quick nearly straight but rough section led into the sting in the tail a set of tight muddy turns into a steep drop and compression before a quick sprint across the fire road into the finish.

 

Sam Kiddy (left) and Jake Boylett

Third fastest on the day and winning the junior category was Bike Cellar Gilpin Demolition team rider Sam Kiddy. His 1:25.597 was much too good for second place Jeremy Callow (One Big Sunday) 1:31.368 and Ian Stark 1:39.512. Youth saw probably the ride of the day from Jake Boylett (Dartmoor Cycles) his time of 1:29.431 was 7th fastest overall. Second in Youth was Adam May (Bike Cellar) 1:37.363. Third was Josh Hodgetts newly RAM bikes mounted enduring his first defeat of the series.

Ryan Hayes

A hotly contested Master category was one of the categories where the riders went faster on their second runs. Bernie Plaisted led after the first runs with a 1:42.779. On the second runs; first Brett James (South Fork/Lost Enterprises) took the lead on 1:42.677 then Simon Williams thought he had done enough to win with a 1:41.502 before Plaisted returned the status quo with a 1:35.721.

Felix Adams

The veterans also went faster on their second runs, with Nick Butler (South Fork) finishing on top on 1:44.022 from French visitor Philippe DaSilva (Velo 9) and new Cloud Cover team rider Steve Hodgetts on the last step of the podium with a 2:05.167 on his return to the sport.

 

Andrew Wright (left) Jim Davage

The women's battle was close fought with Monet Adams (Bike Cellar) leading after the first runs on 2:01.266. Adams couldn't improve that time on the second runs and Haby-Blu Cann leapfrogged her into first with a 2:00.009. Kathryn Curd (Astrix) looked quick but fell on both runs to finish third with a time of 2:32.358.

The Juvenile category was won by Robert Stark his first run of 1:53.129 beat local rider Moss Macriner (Howies/The Defective) into second 1:58.581 with James Dart having his best run of the series so far 2:00.402 in third. The youngest category the Future Stars struggled all day with the muddy conditions, but both starters finished. Charlie Ross made it four wins from 4 races with 2:35.446+ with Joel Andersson struggling on the wrong tyres to 3:15.262.

The Novice category for riders who never been on a podium before was narrowly won by Ryan Hayes 1:52.910 from Jim Hathaway 1:53.139 with those two a few seconds clear of Jamie Jones 1:58.871.

New series co-sponsors Rigida gave away rims and other goodies at the presentation with more to give away next month including sets of wheels for some of the class winners. With all to play for in most of the categories at next months final, it is guaranteed to be fitting climax to this popular series. The final takes place on the full Remec NPS course at Combe Sydenham on March 11th.

Full details of the series including entry details and results Series Website