THE first of the four-round Whyte Winter Mountain Bike Enduro took place in Thetford Forest at the weekend.
More than 550 people entered for the event consisting of two and four-hour races, with a two-lap race of the 7.2-mile course for the fun category
There was good weather and, with the huge field of riders lining-up to start, a minute’s silence was
observed to mark Remembrance Sunday.
With the four-hour category going first, the junior riders followed four minutes later before the largest field of the day – over 230 riders – in the 18-39yrs two-hour category.
George Budd (Salsa Factory Racing) led this field out and this is where he stayed for the entire four laps in his four-hour race.
Glenn Stanford (API/Metrow) came home in second place and he was followed by Mike Smith (Team Milton Keynes).
Nick Owen (Salsa Factory Racing) had a great race, taking eighth place in his first race back after a knee injury.
The Men’s 40+ was taken by three local riders, with Jeff Sharp (Ben Hayward OTH) coming first. He was followed by team member John McAndrew (Ben Hayward OTH) and Phil Buick (Salsa Factory Racing), who all put in four laps.
The female 18+ two-hour event resulted in the top two places being taken by Salsa girls.
Faith Addison came home first and she was followed by Anna Buick in second place. Third place was taken by Niki Humphreys (Fig Rolls Racing), all three girls compleging four laps each.
Junior Male was won by local rider, James Ashby (Fat Birds), with his father Paul Ashby (Fat Birds) winning the four-hour 40+ plus category with eight laps, followed home by John Fettis (Team FA). Third place was taken by Philip Peacock (St Ives CC) with seven laps.
The four-hour female winner was Malin Tinberg (West Dryton MBC).
The final category of the day was for those out to spin their legs or have fun, and two Salsa riders again took the top two places.
Imogen Buick (13) was the first girl home, just in front of her mother Sara Flatt, to give the Salsa team six podiums and seven top 10 placings for the weekend.
All results can be found on www.timelaps.co.uk.
Round two of the Whyte Winter Enduro will be held on December 7, at Fire Route 24, Thetford Forest.
Further information available from www.thetfordmtbracing.com
The full article contains 421 words and appears in Bury Free Press newspaper.