All content © Bob MuIIins

KTM UK's David Knight came out firing on all cylinders at the third round of Fast Eddy's GBXC Sprint Nationals last Saturday. He won every one of the ten runs throughout the day across both the Enduro and MX special tests then went on to take the win in Sundays GBXC race, securing yet another ACU title.

Fast Eddy had made the most of what Berwyn had to offer with two cracking Special Tests, one each side of the valley where the venue lies. Both tests were technical and the MX test was steep while the enduro test was even steeper! Heavy rain throughout Friday left the ground soaked but within a couple of runs lines had formed and times dropped. Sunshine throughout the day certainly helped the course, especially the steep and tricky enduro test.

As is usual with the GBXC Sprint Nationals, riders were spilt into two groups, the first containing Pro, Expert, Clubman and Clubman Veterans while the second group held the Sportsman, Novice, Youth, Under 13's and Sportsman Vets. Each group had five runs at one of the two tests then everyone changed over tests for the afternoon session and another five runs.

In the Pro ranks Knighter set the pace right from the start with Tom Sagar hot on his rear wheel. Gradually the gap increased as Knighter gained a few seconds on every test while Sagar held position ahead of a hard-charging Jack Edmondson in third spot. Clubman Alex Walton held fourth spot for most of the day. A crash on the eighth test saw him retire from the competition.

Dan Mundell led the expert class home, eventually finishing over 30-seconds ahead of Tom Ellwood with Keelan Hancock a further 30-seconds behind in third. With Walton out of the Clubman race it was a close call between William Hoare and Joe Roberts. Hoare had a better morning session on the enduro test but Roberts clawed time back on the afternoon's MX test, but not enough. Hoare took the class win, Roberts second with Matt Silverster 10-seconds adrift in third spot.

The Clubman Vets was a two-horse race between Mark Houson and Andy Daniels. Houson always had a slight edge and won the class by nearly two minutes.

Dan Mundell

Roy Broomfield

Roy Broomfield had his hands full with Mike Dutton in the Sportsman class. Both were winning tests then losing time to each other but it was Broomfield who came out on top when the dust settled after the final test as Steve Furr nailed third spot to complete the top three.

There were less than 20-seconds between Dean James and Shaun James in the Sportsman Vets class. Sean had the faster times on the MX test but Dean made up the gap on the enduro tests and took the win as Dave Brookes rode to third in class, two-minutes after the leading pair.

Martin Windsor took the first test by storm around the MX course and over the hilltops, building a considerable lead at the head of the Novice class but fought back strongly during the afternoon session on the Enduro test and pulled back time by the handful to win the class with Windsor second and an injured Jack Bridges third.

Harry Edmondson and Brad Lilburn were virtually inseparable, both posted fastest test times in the Youth class and both lead the second group of riders throughout the day but Harry Eddy slowly gained a 21 second lead which gave him victory in the Youth class with Lilburn in second and Henry Yardley a minute and a half adrift in third.

It was another close run thing in the Under 13's class as Charlie Chater kept the pressure on throughout the day to take the win while Sam Davies placed second and George Yardley third.

Harry Edmondson

Brad Williams

Saturday evening's traditional hillclimb witnessed a handful of competitors scrabbling their way up a steep hillside track to try and reach a fence line that was barely visible from the valley floor. Jack Staines did well, much to the disappointment of dad Keith who won last year's attempt but it was Wales' own Brad Williams full throttle assault that paid dividends as he took the win in great style.

Sunday morning began with a short youth race, which was won by Cory Cookland then final Steady Eddy event of the season, a two-hour slog around the MX side of the valley in heavy rain from start to finish and was followed in the afternoon by the final GBXC race of the season, which saw significant course changes and a huge lap taking in both sides of the valley.

Youth class racers Harry Edmondson and Henry Yardley continued their season long battle for dominance as the Steady Eddy race began with the pair gaining lengths over the other competitors, Harry taking a lead initially but Henry had his turn at the front as they swapped places throughout the first half of the race. Disaster struck Harry in the form of a rear wheel puncture that allowed Henry to stretch a significant lead and also let Brad Lilburn slip into second spot. Harry eventually re-joined the race to finish third in class and third overall.

Roy Broomfield and Mike Dutton were close contenders in the Sportsman class but very gradually Broomfield pulled away to take the class win as Dutton took the runner-up spot and Carl Thomas claimed third place. David Williams headed the Sportsman Vets, nearly four minutes ahead of Ian Heyworth while Shaun James took third place. Dawson Marriott had a relatively easy time in winning the Novice class, two laps ahead of Kieran Preece and three up on third placed Connor Stewart.

With the course virtually doubling in size for the ACU GBXC race in the afternoon, riders knew they were in for a tough time, especially as the 101 plate of David Knight was on the front line of the start grid.

In a heavy downpour the race began and Jack Edmondson took the lead over the first few hundred yards but Knighter, last off the line in the pro class, soon took to the front. Jacko stuck with him for quite a while until the big Manxman decided to really go for it and the gap between the pair grew with every lap. Knight was in terrific form, revelling in the wet, slippy and muddy conditions, never easing up at any point throughout the race. Jack Edmondson secured second spot whileTim Apolle rode hard to get into the top three in the pro class as quite a battle ensued in the Experts.

Hillclimb winner Brad Williams maintained a solid third spot overall and was safe as the Expert class winner but just behind him Jack Staines, Jane Daniels and Jeremy Callow became the focal point of the race.

It is often said that races can be won or lost in the pits and this was certainly the case for Jack Staines. He pulled in to refuel to find his spot empty of pit crew as dad Keith was too busy relieving himself at a nearby tree. Stainer Jnr. took a chance and left for another lap, only to run out of fuel on the furthest part of the course. The conversation on the drive home must have been interesting.

Callow and Daniels fought tooth and nail for second and third places. Both riders took turns at the front but it was callow who pushed hard on the last lap, fending off several strong challenges from Britain's top female enduro rider, including being rammed from behind within sight of the finish flag, to take second spot with Daniels in third by just two-seconds.

Mark Houson made a rare appearance to win the Veteran Clubman class ahead of Gary McCoy, who took the overall champions title for the class, as Chris Wagstaff finished in third place.

Ryan Armitage once again dominated the Clubman class with a win of over two minutes from second placed Dean Edwards as Rich Cookland rode to third place.

It was a tough end to a tough season in GBXC but the track was terrific, despite the rain. Well done fast Eddy and his crew for a great season.