Published: 24 March 2019
Written by: 5311 Media
Images: Joolze Dymond
The eagerly-awaited first round of the HSBC UK | National Cross Country Series got underway on Sunday, with Annie Last making short work of the elite women’s race and local boy Cameron Orr prevailing in the men’s.
Last set the pace right from the gun at Sherwood Pines and by lap two she was left with Dutch rider Lotte Koopmans for company, the two working well together for the next few laps.
Last ditched her companion mid-race, going on to stretch her lead and take the win by just over two minutes, leaving Koopmans to take second and Margot Moschetti to pick up third, a further four minutes adrift.
Grant Ferguson was left disappointed yet again in Nottinghamshire after an enthralling elite men’s race that came down to the wire, with a sprint finish deciding the outcome.
In a blisteringly fast seven-lap race Orr took an early lead, opening up a sizeable gap. Ferguson battled across the gap, bringing a few other riders along for the ride.
As the race continued Ferguson could see the race behind was closing and made his move with two laps left.
Orr stuck to his wheel and a two-way battle of supremacy commenced between the two riders, with Orr outgunning his rival in the finishing sprint.
CONDITIONS ON THE COURSE
The tight, twisting singletrack at Sherwood Pines is always a popular season-opener and it proved to be once again in 2019.
The sunshine drenched March Sunday made for drier-than-normal conditions, leading to that superbly quick men’s race.
WHAT THEY SAID
After the win, Last commented: “It was a really good race. Lotte was good competition and was really strong in the first two laps. It’s quite a hard course to go fast on if that makes sense, there’s no real long flats so it’s a good race to win, I enjoyed the racing at the start.
Orr commented: “I set off quick and I thought I’d see what happens. I got a bit of a gap and thought I’d keep riding – Grant and this other guy came across and we were just riding as a three.
“I waited until the end and I know Grant usually attacks with two to go so I just tried to stay with him when he did that.”
SOCIAL OUTLOOK
Happy to take the win today at the @BritishCycling series. Great to see lots of familiar faces and thanks for all the cheers! @kmcEkoiOrbea@Orbea @KMCChainEurope @EKOIcycling pic.twitter.com/8TLXohlocf
— Annie Last (@AnnieLast1) March 24, 2019
Back in the XC ditch... #xc #mountainbiking #offroad #eventphotography #dayjob #hsbcuk #nationalxcseries #sherwoodpines #nofilter https://t.co/PyENtSFWkN pic.twitter.com/sm2b3G3EUD
— Joolze Dymond (@Joolzephoto) March 24, 2019
WHAT’S NEXT
Round 2 of the HSBC UK | National Cross Country Series moves on to Hadleigh Farm in Essex, on Sat 13 April, before Round 3 goes on to Cannock Chase, Rugeley on Sat 11 May.
RESULTS
Elite Women
1. Annie Last
2. Lotte Koopmans
3. Margot Moschetti
4. Jules Toon
5. Holly MacMahon
Junior Women
1. Anna McGorum - Peebles CC
2. Anna Flynn - Edinburgh RC
3. Josie Nelson - RST/Cycle division
4. Amy Perryman - Hargroves Montezumas
5. Poppy Wildman - SF Racing
Elite Men
1. Cameron Orr - Team Inspired
2. Grant Ferguson - Hope Factory Racing
3. Arthur Tropardy
4. Matthias Wengelin
5. Emo McCrae
Junior Men
1. Charlie Aldridge - Stirling Bike Club
2. Harry Birchill - Mid Devon CC
3. Marcus Holmes - Torquiest Performance
4. Thomas Timberlake - Dyson Cycles
5. Alec Gregory - 8point8 Group
GALLERY
