All content © Bob MuIIins

Enduroland
Race XC Lucas Oils Championship
Wymeswold

The final round of the 2015 Race XC Lucas Oils Championship, organised by Enduroland, took place at Wymeswold last Sunday.

Teaming up with Cotswold Enduro Club to track-share for the day the final race of the season kicked off for two hours at 10.00am. And what a track it was. The MX course was impressive enough but add on miles of fields, whoops, holes and ditches and the track became one of the most challenging of the season for many of the Race XC riders.

Scattered amongst CEC riders the Enduroland regulars had their work cut out identifying who was the competition in each class but with two lanes at lap scoring, one for each club, everything went well and a great race ensued.

In the Elite class Dan Boam had things all his own way and soon took to the front even though there were CEC riders with him, he battled hard off the start line to get into first position and put the hammer down to leave everyone in his wake. It was a great shame that there was no competition in his class but he made good use of the riders around him to maintain great pace and keep the pressure on himself, it was an easy win but a hard ride and Dan Boam deservedly took the victory.

Jake Palmer had a much harder time in the Clubman class, where there was plenty of competition, fending off attacks from all sides and especially from Tony Onash who took second in class as Palmer took the win. Luke Fisher grabbed the final top three spot in the class.

The veterans class was also hotly contested. Fourth and fifth overall, Neville Duke and Tony Buffin made a proper contest of it, which Duke won by a lap at the end of two hours. Ian Nichols was some way behind the leading pair in third spot but as ever, the veterans always put on a good show and these three were no exception.

In tribute to Nik Fisk who died earlier this year, the aptly named Nik Fisk Masters class went to Phil Deardon who fended off Steve Cornelius and Alan King to take the win. All three put in some terrific laps but Deardon certainly had the edge over his rivals.

Rory Bishop headed a long line of youth 14-17 riders all eager to grab the class win, especially at such a spectacular track as Wymeswold. He finished sixth overall with Callum Sedgwick in second spot, on the same lap but a few minutes adrift. Tim Hammond was far down the overall ranking but took third in class, beating quite a few eager rivals.

Les Hubbard was the top Sportsman rider, clocking up seven laps on his way to seventh overall which was an excellent result considering the competition stacked against him. The Sportsman class was the largest in the race and Jordan Tuffy wasn't too far adrift by the end to take second in class as Dan Jacewicz took third out of 20 entrants.

Hayley Rilings had a clear run at the Ladies class win as Charlotte Barlow found the course hard going but still managed a finish.

For many Race XC riders this was a big event with more riders around them than they had ever experienced before but the handled it very well and the race ran well. Having some very experienced CEC riders circulating at the same time dragged many to up their game and it was quite noticeable how the pace increased as the race went on. It was the perfect setting for raising your game, which riders from both clubs succeeded in doing really well.

It was an excellent end to a brilliant series across the season, always well organised, friendly and competitive. Well done Nigel Wheatley and his crew.