Southern XC Series 2008

 

News Posted: 30th September 2008

The event organisers of the Southern XC Series 2008 gave us their review of the season:

 

"The Southern XC Series 2008 has been a fantastic success especially when you consider the NPS crumbled before it had even finished. We are lucky in the South to have the support from Sponsors and riders to make the series viable year on year. We certainly went out on a high with over 400 riders entered our biggest filed of the year on a bright sunny day on a great fun course at Bordon. Let's hope everyone returns for the series next year, the numbers have been steadily increasing this year so 2009 could be a record year.

We have been seeing riders returning to cross country from years gone by plus many new riders are coming into the sport. We have our regular racers that are loyal to the series and those that come and dabble in the odd round. With the series now BC sanctioned we have also seen riders travelling from further afield in search of a good race with ranking points on offer.

We have been investing heavily in the series thanks to our sponsors Pedal On and Felt bikes and this will help us onto a better starting point next year. Plans are already underway for a full 5 round series at the better venues from this year plus a couple of new ones. We are also looking to hold an exciting stand alone Southern Championship at a venue not used now for a few years.

This year started with lost of promise at a great course at Mapledurham but disaster struck on the morning of the event as we had several inches of snow fall in a couple of hours. The race went ahead but many riders didn't get there and as the snow melted the mud stuck to bikes and it became a real slog. Unfortunately all the hard work we did building the course was wasted as inconsiderate parking in the farm yard instead of on our allocated field meant we have been asked not to return again.

East Grinstead started well but the heavens opened about midday and that too became a mudfest. Crow Hill was a great success especially as it was used by many as a test event for the National Champs. Erlestoke made a welcome return to the series and it turned out to be the favourite course for many. Alton once suffered with rain but this time we were ready for it and had used the hardest packed trails we could find to keep it 100% rideable despite the mud. Bordon was dry and warm so 3 wet races and 3 dry races at least we kept the races varied.

Going into the final round Adrian Lansley (Pedal On.co.uk) was leading the series ahead of team mate Chris Minter. Ade had wrapped up rounds 1 & 2 in the mud but had to settle for 2nd behind Gareth Montgomerie (Colnago/Ergon RT) at round 3. Ade took a gamble and dropped round 4 to ride the Marathon Champs which left the door wide open for Chris and bagged his first Southern win of the year. When Ade took the win at the Southern Camps he was odds on favourite to take the overall title but he had to finish. Chris would be there to uphold the Pedal On honours if the worst was to happen. Chris too had to finish as a mechanical at round 2 in the mud meant he too was relying on the final.

At Bordon Billy-Joe Whenman made his first appearance at the series and tried to upset the apple cart but Ade was having none of it and it went down to the wire battling lap on lap. It was Ade who got the break in the closing stages and emerged from the woods first with a 9 second gap. The pair of them nearly got caught though by a fast finishing Chris Minter who put in a storming 4th lap and closed in on the final lap to only 3 seconds off Billy-Joe. So Ade got the series with Chris second and Andy Howett picked up 3rd from a string of consistent results.

In Experts Tim Dunford (Hargroves) continued his domination and perhaps now BC will realise they should have let him ride Elite this year as he will certainly be going straight back up next year. Tim rode the equal fastest lap of the day 21 minutes dead same time as Mark Hutt's opening lap. Although Minters 4th lap time of 21.03 is more impressive. Just as impressive was that 21.03 was equalled by veteran Mark Chadbourne on his opening lap, no wonder I couldn't get any where near him! Tim took the series although Chris Lane was close with 3 wins at the opening rounds although his results tailed off in the final rounds it was enough for 2nd overall. Nick Coley (Evans) took 2nd.

In the women's Elite race Nicky Hughes (Activ) took another win and wrapped up the series. Hilana Marais (Rock & Road) took the win in the Expert race and also took the series win.

In the under 12's Sam Shepherd (Primera) got his first win of the series and was also promoted to top spot on the podium for the series as the dominant Herne Hill boys were probably at Abergavenny. Gretel Warner (Team Darenth) got yet another win and with the series.

The Juveniles was won in style by Martin Turton (BOBS) and he also wrapped up the series. Liam Keynes (1st gear Cycles) took 2nd overall after a string of top 5 results. Darren Pyke (VC Deal) got 4th which was enough to take 3rd overall.

In Youths Steve James (Mountain Trax) won with Ben Roff (Team Keyne) 2nd and the same order on the podium for the series but they were joined by Ryan Keynes (1st Gear Cycles) in 3rd spot after regular top 10's all year.

In Juniors Sam Barley took the win but only having 2 rounds he was not in contention for the series. That honour was taken by 2nd place man on the day Matt Taylor (Pedal On) with John Pybus getting 2nd overall after his 3rd place on the day.

The Vets was virtually a done deal with Mark Chadbourne (Ride) being totally dominant all year. His only downfall was dnf due to a puncture at round 5 so he still needed to finish the final to take the title. Darren Shepherd was there to take his place with his string of 2nds if anything went wrong. He too needed to finish as he didn't start round 5 due to a bad back. Needless to say it was all systems normal and another 1-2 for this pair in the race and the series. The battle was really for 3rd place and I was in on this one, I had a flush of 3rd places but with a dnf (mech hanger) at round 2 I could be caught by Roland Tilley (Ride) or my team mate Mark Cracknell (AWCycles). Roland was strongest on the day and took 3rd in the race and the series. Not the first time he has knocked me back on the final round.

The Tilley household must have a few trophies as Carol also went home with another 2 for the race and series wins.

The Grand Vets was totally dominated all year by Ray Crosthwaite ( Pedal On) who won every round except round 1 which he decided to skip as he didn't like the snow. Paul Warner (Team Darenth) took 2nd with round 1 winner Clive Ely (mountain Trax) getting 3rd overall.

The Open race and the series was left wide open as the dominant Serge Hunt had already promoted himself up to Sport before the series was over, nice move! Owen Pattinson (Owens Cycles) won on the day but with only 2 results he wouldn't have an impact on the overall which went to the regular guys who had scored consistent results. Dave Nicholson (1st Gear Cycles) got top spot with Kevin Lawley (Leisure Wheels) 2nd and Simon Lesser (Suppshop.co.uk) was 3rd. The women's race was won by Clair Muir (Leisure Wheels) got her 3rd win but as you need 4 results the title went unclaimed.

The Sport race was won by Juan Pablo Hercules in his first race of the series but it was 2nd placed Simon Allard (Offcamber.co.uk) who walked off with the series title. Daniel Eastment (Ham Hill Billies) was 3rd on the day but moved up a step on the podium when the big trophies came out. This left Phil Lenney to take 3rd place.

Maxine Filby won the ladies Sport race but we have been lacking ladies this year so again the title was unclaimed.

The Masters women though seemed to show up whatever the weather and there was a good battle for the top 3. The order in the race was Amber Atkinson (Pedal On) 1st, Mandy Hibberd (Pedal On) 2nd and Emma Craddock (South Downs Bikes) 3rd. This order was reversed though for the series positions with Emma getting top spot over the Pedal On girls.

The Master mens race was going to be a good one to watch with Graham Warby absent he handed the title to Mark Hutt (AWCycles). Mark wanted a win though and so did Paul Hopkins (Mountain Trax) so a good battle was set. Nick Onslow (Pedal On) was safe in 2nd so Hoppy just needed a good result to take 3rd overall. Mark Hutt set a storming first lap with the fastest lap of the day and set up a good gap over Hoppy which he never managed to close. Tom Smith (AWCycles) took 3rd in the race but only had 3 results so would not be in contention.

So that's it for another year see you all in the Spring at the first round. We have an issue with the gridding for round 1 next year as where riders didn't show up for the final we have not included them in the series results. However for the gridding I feel they should be included so we are discussing whether we include best 5 from 6 results for everyone or count 6 (all) results for everyone as a opening ranking for next year as that is how the National rankings would have ranked everyone.

Once again thanks to our two Sponsors Felt Bikes and to Pedal On who also supplied and ran the website, the on-line entry and the series points etc. Adrian Lansley especially was a true star he helped run the series in the background for you and he went a won it too. If you see them don't forget to thank my right hand men (and woman), Trevor, Henry, Ben and Mr and Mrs Murph."