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Cotswold Enduro Club at Llansillin
Rock Oil H&H Championship plus Slow Pete series.

Cotswold Enduro Club’s Rock Oil H&H Championship rolled into Llansillin last Sunday to what can only be described as Monster Mountain. The venue is dominated by one very large outcrop reaching into the far distance with tracks zig-zagging down the side of it that riders attacked with great care throughout Sunday’s three hour race.

Cotswold’s combined Club Championship, Rock Oil H&H and Slow Pete series saw 120 riders pack the start at Llansillin, ready to set off quickly over the fairly straightforward start field before hitting the hills. Except it wasn’t that straightforward, as initial leader Brendan Griffiths found to his cost. He slid to the ground on the second bend and watched the field of Experts tear past him. It wasn’t his best start of the season.

The course then took to the slopes, winding gently up the profile of the hill before arriving at the bottom of the ravine that held the path to the top of the mountain. Two routes were available and the rocky, wet streambed was by far the best bet initially as riders piled up on the steep grassy slope of the second route. All it took was one or two stalls on the slope and everyone was struggling to get past while the streambed itself remained relatively clear. It was definitely a case of using your head and looking before committing.

Matt Porter had a clear lead after just a few minutes. Adam Castledine had beaten him out of the start field but Porter soon took control and turned up the gas. Hayden Maller followed Porter’s lead and cruised to second place while Griffiths recovered and started his charge to third spot, the battle between second and third yo-yo’d throughout the race.

Kev Freeman was on form in the Veterans 40+ class and was closing on the overall leaders as the three hours ran out. He took third overall and won his class by quite a margin. Second placed Darren Bedford matched him on laps but was just over four minutes adrift at the end of the race. Carl Harmstone was the best of the 12 lappers and he took a solid third in class.

Clubman 2t rider Ryan Phillips got up to sixth overall as he took the two-smoker class win. He managed to maintain a two-minute gap over Mike Evans in second spot while Ellis Frend took third spot, all three on 12 laps.

In the Clubman 4t group Richard Jones had a lap in hand over second placed Andrew Whieldon. Whieldon had nearly five minutes to spare between himself and Glyn Jones in third.

Brian Anderson lead the Expert ranks to the finish line with a two lap cushion over Graham Ayliff in second as Neil Varden took third in a very competitive class.

Rob Sewell and Colin Griffiths in the veterans 50+ class had just 42 seconds between them when the race ended. It was close by anyone’s standard. The pair had battled all race long for first and second in class so it was left to Geraint Rogers to take the final podium spot.

The Sportsman/Novice class accounted for half of the 120 riders. Luke Adams sneaked a minute clear of Tim Woodhouse to take the win as Nathan Piper claimed third place.

Anne Cherry once again took the Ladies class, this time with no opposition while Jerry Adams was alone in the Classic (Pre 86) class. Eric Shaw took a three lap win over Harry Willett in the Trail ranks.

The venue was huge and looked fairly easy from the paddock but that was clearly a misjudgement. It required a steady hand and quick thinking to negotiate one of the hardest courses of the year for Cotswold riders.

Three hours was a long time around this venue but the event ran well and was enjoyed by all, well, endured at the very least. Well done Cotswold Enduro Club.