Calbourne Mill 2004 - Race results

2 Laps Time
1st J Ebdon 37m 01s
2nd A Rowe 37m 11s
3rd J Marsh 39m 38s
4th W Hayles 43m 54s
5th N Mason 43m 54s
6th D Grundy 52m 56s
7th P Martin 53m 33s
8th D Saunders 53m 33s
9th J Punter 54m 59s
10th C Jackson 55m 42s
11th M Hunt 56m 35s
12th R Hunt 58m 52s
DNF I Pragnell 1 lap
DNF J Grundy 1.5 laps

4 Laps Time
1st P Mc Durmot 1h 20m 36s
2nd L Copland 1h 24m 25s
3rd H Stephens 1h 24m 46s
DNF N Julian 2 laps

6 Laps Time
1st S White 1h 23m 10s
2nd J Higgins 1h 33m 00s
3rd S Williams 1h 37m 04s
4th R Page (SP) 1h 38m 42s
5th S Abrosini (SP) 1h 40m 26s
6th J Hunt 1h 41m 16s
7th N Charlton-Smith1h 41m 48s
8th R Haydon 1h 45m 32s
9th S Hunt 1h 52m 08s
10th T Matthews 1h 54m 59s
11th S Taylor 2h 04m 39s
DNF A Green 1 lap
DNF C Symons 1 lap
DNF S Saunders (SP)2 laps
DNF J Brentt 3 laps
DNF J Cooper 4 laps
DNF A Jackson 4 laps
DNF A Edwards 5 laps

Mountain bike at pitts farm, Calbourne 19/09/04

As if to underline the end of the road race season, Vectis Off shore sports Cycling Club held their 1st Mountain bike meeting at Pitts farm, Calbourne.
Bill Pewsey had laid out a challenging course at the foot of the downs with much assistance from landowner Trevor Strickland and numerous helpers. The meeting started in the morning with the Go ride scheme where youngsters were able to hone their riding skills with BC coaches present.

The main racing took place in the afternoon with a combined 2,4 & 6 lap race over the tough 2½ mile mainly grassy course, comprising bumpy, slow technical sections with steep drops, short climbs and tight turns in light woodland and scrub. At the tented headquarters, the riders suddenly appeared on the skyline as they entered the main arena with a short climb and a fast descent to the start/finish area, before the climb back out onto the main course.

In a clean start 35 riders set off in the combined race and they all climbed out of the arena with no problem. In the 2 lap race James Ebdon showed he was as useful off-road as on when he took the finish 10s ahead of Southampton rider Alan Rowe in 37m01s, with J.Marsh taking 3rd a further 2½m behind.

The 4 lap race was a head to head between the Mountain bike orienteers with an exhausted Paul McDermot in 1h20m36s securing a fine win by 4m over Lee Copeland and Hugh Stephens.

The 6 lap competition with 18 entries produced some fine performances from the island's top riders although there were some surprising retirements. The
11 who finished the race were exhausted and dehydrated from their effort and additional water was on hand for all.

National 6hr Enduro champion Simon White led from start to finish in a demonstration of precision and skill but it was not an easy ride in what for him was a short race. Although he had lapped all up to 6th place by the finish, there were plenty of battles for the minor places, which produced some thrilling racing. Sean Williams who held 2nd place for 3 laps faded later as Joe Higgins got into his rhythm and chipped away at his advantage until he finally took 2nd place some 10m and ½ lap behind White. Russel Page (SP) rode a steady race ahead of Simon Ambrosini (SP) who had James Brett on his tail for 3 laps.
But Brett on a borrowed bike soon felt the pressure and had to retire exhausted.

Late starter Nick Charlton-Smith had 2m to make up on the field and produced some exciting moments as he worked his way through the field. But he was always playing catch-up and ran out of time to finish 7th behind a great ride by Jamie Hunt.

Ross Haydon who had been in a good 4th for most of the race blew up and lost ground after lap 4 slipping back to 8th. Sam Hunt plugged away to finish in 9th ahead of a very tired Tim Matthews. Steve Taylor who had ridden well in the middle of the field for most of the race suffered 2 punctures, one on the last lap, and came home in 11th.

Many thanks are due to the timekeepers, marshals and helpers and to Trevor Strickland who provided the venue. Any money raised during this event will be put towards the 2005 Island Games.

Report written by Paul Charlton-Smith