HAT TRICK JACK

Its now three races run, and three races won for South Yorkshire man, Jack Rowland. In this the latest of the Dust Devils sponsored Lincolnshire Enduro Club's 2025 series, the ACE Suspension sponsored 350 KTM rider had another seamless ride, and won by just over three minutes over the three hours. One of the guy's who puts Jack under pressure normally (Dan Johnson) didn't put in an appearance this time out, and so it was left to runner up Lucas Travers to ensure Jack couldn't relax at the sharp end of this, the first race of the year at Willingham. Whilst Jack increases what was already a slender lead for the year, Lucas leaps over Dan and now moves into second place overall. As one or two of the other title contenders were also 'no shows', a third place on the day for Jack Leonard sees him improve from fifth to third for 2025. The first six riders were on twelve laps when the finish flag was waved.

The main problem on the day over the mixed course may have been the dust kicked up in the field sections. Many weeks of what seems like very dry weather lead to a few potential blind spots in one or two areas. Those fields added onto a few easy/hard sections and several forays into local woodland meant a full lap of 5.6 miles for the 159 starters.

The Clubman class featured two riders not seen in other LEC events this year. Preston Flynn snatched the win but it was very close, just 21 seconds. This victory was over club regular Ailbe O'Connell. Third place on the day went to the other 'unknown', Niall Bowker. The gap between these two was measured in several minutes and not seconds. A quick glance at the '25 table suggests there are three riders on equal points at the top... Jake Wilson, Darren Wells, and Jodie Lambley...all on 35 points.

The largest class of the day came in the Two Stroke Sportsman group, with 34 riders. With almost a two minute lead, Joel Doel took the win from Connor Pickering in the runner up spot. Connor must have felt the breath of third placed lad Michael Hacket, he was only three seconds adrift. This battle provided the closest finish in the top three of any class. Almost as close was the current leader for the year, Simon Cadman in fourth, just twenty seconds in arrears.

As ever, there was another big start line witnessed in the Over 50's class. The first four riders were the only ones out of the twenty five starters to end with eleven laps, with Danny Clarke coming out on top with forty seconds to spare. A second runner up spot for the year, together with his victory back in March now sees Gareth Lodge sneak a little further away from his rivals for the title. Ian Shepherd keeps the squeeze on though. His third on the day means he is only a handful of points in debt this year.

Back to the other Sportsman class, this time the Four Stroke's. There is what you could call a clear leader for 2025 at present. Ryan Poole has almost had a clean sweep this year. Another top step here added to his win last time out and a runner up spot back in round one means he heads the group table by some way. Going from nil points last time out to almost maximum this time, Dean Carter took second place to Ryan, under a minute behind the class leader. Josh Betts took the bronze medal placing.

Ben Hampel is the only other rider in any class to have done a 'Rowland' with this, his third win on the trot in the Trail and Classic category. Four minutes adrift was Kyle Ardito, and then Shaun Avison in third.

Lee Hattersley in the Over 40's is another rider with only one point missing from a full tally this year. This win together with a victory in the first round, and a second place in April means he leads the way for 2025. Lee's triumph this time wasn't a distant one though, the winning gap was under 30 seconds. It does however increase his lead on the points table by a further couple of points. Rob Miller took the runner up spot with Michael Harris taking third, thus pencilling his second place or this campaighn

The Over 60's class saw another victory for Neil Tapper, his second on the bounce. These maximum points added to a runner up spot in the first race of the year back in March, sees him lead the charge for another title. Mark Peckitt keeps the thumb screws tight though. He claimed another second spot at the weekend to ensure there are no slip ups up front. Kevin Bartle Sr took the bronze medal on the day.

Fifteen Beginners took to that start line. Whilst there are no points awarded in the class, Chris Dutton came out on top with Luke Sidsaph in runner up place and then Craig Durbin in third. Well done guys.

The club wants to say a massive thank you to all the folk that help out not only on the day itself but in the days leading up to the event. Caterers/Medical staff/Timekeepers/Land owners and every marshall/helper etc etc.

The next event is on the 22nd of June, again at Willingham. Entry details and all things LEC can be availed here for members . .  Click HERE .and here for non members . .  Click HERE

Photo's all by Graham Taylor, are of Experts class winner, Jack Rowland (No. 87) . . No.700 (Danny Clarke), the Over 50's victor . . and Rob Miller who took the runner up place in the Over 40's (No. 366)

Report by Martin Southwick