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All content © Bob MuIIins | |||
 
Dorset Enduro Report : T. Rowe The Dorset Enduro team with the assistance of great weather raised the bar again when it comes to Forest events. Hethfelton forest was in prime condition with a new six-and-a-half-mile track which had taken the team many weeks to create. There was an electric start from Championship riders Holcombe, Bolter, Snow, Wiggins, and King which saw them complete their first lap with a thirty second lead over the rest of the Championship field. These guys made light work of what was a new green forest course with countless hidden hazards waiting to trap the unwary. There pace was relentless, but one rider shone, Steve Holcombe, he built an early lead then managed his pace perfectly. Everytime Alex Snow closed the gap, Steve picked up the pace and pulled away. Also having a great ride was Daryl Bolter who has not lost any of his pace and rode a brilliant race to take third. Up front despite Alex Snow never fading he just could not match the speed, skill and determination of Steve Holcombe who gave a masterclass in woods riding to take a convincing victory.
Most riders will remember Hethfelton as the 'Log or the bog' choice, a short distance from the start the organiser had put in a log to cross with an alternative route through a bog, it was a forest event, so logs are expected. However, this log was a fallen Oak tree which was as high as a bike and looked a real challenge. Special mention must go to Micheal El-Ayouby and Karl Ingarfield for determination, they always got over the Oak tree, sometimes actually with their bikes!
Rhys Trotter set the pace for the Clubman A class and after a lightning first lap, he was riding well until the two-hour mark when Marcus Feltham took the class lead which he held to the end. Harry Billet was never far behind to take a solid third place showing lots of potential for the future. The Clubman Veterans provided plenty of entertainment, action, and drama. John Rowley set a blistering pace on the first lap and pulled a sizeable lead on the rest of the class. Behind John a cluster of Southwest riders were chasing hard with local rider Justin Cadman in the mix. Matt Ward and Si Thomas tried to use the same scanner together at the same time which shows how close they really are. As the race progressed John Rowley stayed strong at the front on course for a good result in this race and the Winter Warmer championship. However, Si Thomas was flying on his old twin-shock and was being chased by John Cadman and Shaun Philp they all managed to slip past John Rowley with just a lap to go. However, there was drama on the last lap for John when he crashed out allowing Matt Ward to move up to take a strong fourth place finish.
The sportsman class was dominated by an incursion of Somerset riders, Glenn Woodland dominated the Sportsman vet class with Robert Taylor surviving to take second. However special mention for young Finlay Taylor who having his first taste of a forest event took the Sportsman class win. Another well run event from Dorset Enduro where their hard work in preparing the forest was fully appreciated by every rider.
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The
large Expert field were just as competitive with four riders vying for the lead.
Harry Neal set the pace throughout but he was pushed early on by Richard Good
until he was forced to retire, then Jordan Brigden got into a battle with Harry,
they were literally within seconds of each other for a large part of the race
but lurking just behind was John Stanley who maintained a solid tempo and
managed to come through to take second place behind Harry when Jordan faded a
little with just two laps to go.
The
Expert Veterans class took a little while to sort themselves out with several
riders featuring early in the race only to drop back. However, once the race
settled, one rider stamped his authority and rode a magnificent race to win by
nine minutes! That rider was Stan Watts the local enduro coach proving he can
both talk and ride. Tony Cottee held second for most of the race until he hit
the two-hour mark when he lost a minute and Dan Groom passed him, Tony fought
hard to the end but could not get the minute back.
Harvey
Wilkinson was also involved in the crash that put John out, but he managed to
pick himself up to finish and take the Club B class win. Behind him Matt Holland
and Huw Williams battled all race for second place with Matt managing to finish
the stronger to claim second but still a good result for Huw in third.