Ian Brown’s MTB XC Series Round 7
A strong field of 55 competitors took to a dry and dusty MX Track at Pleinmont for the Guernsey Velo Club's seventh round of the Ian Brown’s MTB XC series. The riders were treated to a great course featuring parts of the motocross track and surrounding fields with significant elevation changes.
Following his two recent wins, Expert rider Charlie Tourtel was aiming to make it three in a row, but would face stiff competition from fellow Expert riders John Mapley, Seth Davey and Advanced rider Zach Smith.
From the off, Smith set a blistering opening lap of 5.05, leaving Tourtel, Mapley and Davey having to work hard to close the gap. Unfortunately, Davey was forced to withdraw from the race during the second lap. Mapley was the first to catch Smith, but was quickly dispatched as he put the power down once again. By lap five, Tourtel's training for the Island Games began to pay off as he finally caught Smith and took the lead.
The next four laps would see both riders jostling for position, with Smith eventually using his strength on the hills to win his first senior race by 1.30 seconds over the 11 laps ridden. Tourtel did manage to hang on to take the second place overall (1st Expert) with John Mapley taking the third spot overall (2nd Expert) in this high energy class. Adam Torode took the final place on the podium with a third place in the Expert category, with Utmost Academy riders Remi Le Compte and Bailey Smalldon taking the 2nd and 3rd places respectively in the advanced category.
Peter Sargent dominated the veterans class with yet another win ahead of Tristan Robilliard taking the second spot. Mark Smith continued his dominance in the Grand Vets with Jamy Petit-Fulgoni and Clare Smit taking the win in their respective ladies categories. Tony Manning took the win in the Men’s Sport category.
Utmost Academy rider Theo Horton took the win in the U16’s category, with U14’s Academy rider Freddie Martel again, grinding out a great performance to take the win in the U14's. Although, this did not come easy as the winner of round 6 , Luca Robilliard pushed him all the way, ending up only 3 seconds behind at the finish. Harry Manning who recently clinched a top five finish at the enduro continues to grind out good performances in this class, taking the 3rd spot.
Jacob Piercey and Hugo Johnson were again the riders to catch in the U12’s and U10’s, both registering wins in the junior boys categories. Sisters Erin and Orla Pipet were the stand-out riders in the under 12’s / 10’s, with Isaac Waldrom leading the way in the U8’s.
Overall winner of the race, 15 year old Zach Smith commented, that “It was a great feeling to claim my first win at senior level!!” Charlie pushed hard as you would expect, but I just had the endurance and legs on the day”.
The next MTB event will be held on the 29th June at L’Ancresse at 9am.
Written by Rod Smith.
