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All content © Bob MuIIins |
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Knight
wins Valleys Xtreme Enduro The weather was X rated for this weekend's Valleys Xtreme Enduro at Walters Arena near Glyneath. 60mph winds rocked the vans and transported the portaloos across the car park. David Knight - winner of the 2014 Eddy's Xtreme at the same venue - was keen to repeat his win and he braved a very rough crossing from the Isle of Man. The format was very similar to 2014 with a prologue on Saturday and the main race on Sunday. The prologue consisted of 4 speed tests. 2 blasts around the forest tracks followed by 2 runs on a short Extreme test on a steep camber near to the start, The best times on both tests were added together. The threat of rain was in the air but it did not materialize although the riders did have to contend with the cross winds. David Knight set the fastest times. Erzberg Rocketman Brad Williams was runner up and Roger Holland was 3rd. Keelan Hancock was 4th, Jack Turner 5th, Paul Davies 6th, Keith Jenkins 7th, Jason Rees 8th. Ross Hancock 9th and Sam Ludgate 10th, Tim Foreman has some "history" at Walters Arena where the slick mixture shale and wet clay can catch out the most experienced competitor but he put the past behind himself and put in some fast times to qualify for a front row start.
Overnight rain lashed the paddock right up until the start time of 10.30 am - drenching the field and the spectators. The competitors were lined up in 3 ranks at the base of the "Rock Staircase". The riders on the left could veer off and take the Chicken Run but the riders on the right were committed to hitting a series of 3 foot high rock steps. A little later than planned Clerk of the Course Nick Plumb blew the klaxon and the race began. Keelan Hancock (Husqvarna) took the holeshot closely followed by Ben Wibberley and David Knight. The Knighter soon took the lead and began to devour the terrain with consistent times that averaged out around 50 minutes a lap. He crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 27 minutes to win and Nick Plumb launched a maroon let the rest of the field know they had an hour to finish. Ten minutes a lap off Knighter's pace was the battle for 2nd place between Keelan Hancock and Brad Williams. Keelan set the fastest times of the 2 on the first 2 laps but Brad came back on the 3rd. It was very close with Keelan holding on to 2nd and Brad finishing 3rd with only 7 seconds separating after 3 hours. Ben Wibberley and Sam Ludgate completed the top 5 in 4th and 5th respectively. Only 5 riders completed the course in the time allowed. Comedian Ross Noble - a regular contributor to "Sorry I haven't a clue" and "Have I got news for you" - is also a serious competitor. He has raced at the Romaniacs and the Roof of Africa and - in 2014 - he won the Dawn to Dusk 24 hour Clubman Ironman Class at the same venue. He was suffering from Geordie Man Flu - which is no laughing matter - but he managed a lap. At the finish and with a touch of irony in his voice David Knight said "That was a bit easy, you could have made it a lot harder. It was the weather that made it hard. The Big Hill was hardest bit. You can watch on the video and it will looking like nothing but you could have been there an hour or more. It will be interesting to see how many guys get to the finish. It definitely wasn't an easy one. " |
Tom Gillingham of
Husqvarna Motorcycles UK had the 2016 Enduro model range on display like a
string of pearls against the bleak landscape.