As well as GDW’s own local races, there have been lots of other Mountain bike events recently, with Offcamber’s winter series well under way now as well as the traditional Gorrick Autumn and Merida Brass Monkeys races.
Paul Hopkins and Kim Little have been leading the way at the Offcamber events, with Kim’s round two win sandwiched by Paul winning rounds one and three. They have been setting some fast lap times along the way, and have so far only had each other to battle with at the head of the large fields (there was a new record entry of 87 riders at round three).
Andy Parsons has been racing on his winter training bike and getting good results around the edge of the top 10, while James Chant is lapping a lot quicker than last season and is just managing to scrape into the 20. Liam Teesdale has had a first and second in the junior category, finishing an impressive 13th at round one.
The course at Inside Park near Blandford gets better and better with every event with new bits of singletrack and rock garden challenges added and is well worth heading over and having a go if you haven’t already.
Further afield, Paul and Kim both won their races at the second Gorrick event, held at Minley Manor near Farnborough. Kim is now racing for the Merida UK team and was the winner in the Super Masters category, while Paul was way ahead of his nearest challenger in the Vets race.
Paul was also victorious at the Brass Monkey, again held at Minley Manor. In the 2 hour Vets race, Paul finished over four minutes clear of his rivals. In the 2 hour Men’s race Kim did well to get sixth place up against some really quick opposition, with the flying Isaac Pucci dominating the race and win.
Go to the Gorrick or Offcamber websites for more details on upcoming events, the next Alfred’s Tower race will be this coming Sunday, more details to follow soon
