Official Tidworth Freeride Root 1, Round 2 - Race Report
The second round of Tidworth Freeride's inaugural Root 1 Race series has concluded with one race still remaining in the series. Following on from a very successful first round of the series, the second race was widely anticipated with entries flying out the door as soon as they were released. Last round, Ben Deakin riding for DMR Bikes took the top spot overall with many riders gathering those crucial points in all categories.
Thanks to all the Sponsors: Muc-Off, Just Bikes, Schwalbe, Dame Cycling, Flare Clothing, DMR, TF Tuned and Team Mitchell Cycles!
The stage was set - an all new track which opened in March 2017 named 99 Beeches in a new zone on the far side of the park was to be the location of some more competitive racing from all riders. The track featured a twisty top section that really tested rider's skills around the bends followed by some off camber corners and ending with a rollable set down into a fast jump section which was a favourite with the crowds. The best thing about the track was whether you were a first-time racer or a world-leading pro, the track was still fun to ride for everyone with all the jumps being tabletops so there would be no commitment but still providing huge amounts of fun to ride!
In the weeks leading up to the race, the UK experienced some of the warmest weather in a long time so the competition was hotting up (excuse the pun) to see who would gain those valuable points from coming in the Top 10 positions in each category.
Is it even a Tidworth race without Trevor?!
An early start was in order as the carpark was full to the brim by 8AM and filled by riders, family, and friends all enjoying the atmosphere of the event. Even though riders are competing against each other, there are no rivalries seen here with riders helping each other out with tools and repairs and also sharing the line choices to pinch those extra seconds in order to get the quickest time. Pushing up the hill to the start ramp, riders were chatting and raring to go to get riding. A slight hint of tension in the air was banished once riders started riding and enjoying the track whilst also trying to find the fastest lines and latest braking points.
Practice began and was shortly followed by the first crash of the day when a fluorescent Troy Lee Design clad rider went down in the first corner. Don't worry Drew, you weren't the only one!
Racing got underway around 10:45 with 170 riders pinning it down the hill to the sounds of the whoops, cheers, airhorns and even chainsaws from the eager crowd. Some impressive riding followed with riders pushing the limit of the track and their riding capabilities as they tried to achieve the fastest time possible. Unfortunately not every rider will make it down safely so we cannot thank the medical staff enough and we wish the lady a speedy recovery!
Following on from the racing, Phil Potts handed out the prizes for the categories.
On behalf of the riders and supporters, I would like to thank Phil and his team of marshals and medics and also Claire Williams for the smooth running of the sign on and Gary Jarman for the perfect operation of the timing equipment. Last but not least we cannot thank the sponsors enough: Muc-Off, DMR, Just Bikes, Schwalbe, Dame Cycling, Flare Clothing, TF Tuned and Team Mitchell Cycles!
Hope to see you at the final round on 27th August!
Categories
Ripper Boys (12 and under) Sponsored by Team Mitchell Cycles
Every time these boys race, supporters are astounded with how quick and talented they are! Despite being young in age, they are definitely not lacking skill on a mountain bike. 99 Beeches is not an easy track by any means and riders in every category struggled and it is very impressive to see these young riders riding to very respectable times! Dominic Platt came home to a time of 1:05.28 followed closely by Rudi Eichorn with a time of 1:09.58 and Will Savery with a time of 1:10.58. Very good job boys!
1st Dominic Platt
2nd Rudi Eichhorn
3rd Will Savery
Ripper Girls (12 and under) Sponsored by Muc-Off
Despite being the smallest category in the competition, these girls performed brilliantly on such a challenging track! Many other riders could never imagine themselves riding down at their age but the girls rode very well with Phoebe Potts getting the first race run of the day! These racers have promising futures, very well done!
1st Maddie Hare - Dame Cycling
2nd Phoebe Potts - Tidworth Freeride
Juvenile Men (13 to 14) Sponsored by Muc-Off
It is usually proven that riders get progressively quicker for every run they do down the track, this could not have been more apparent for the winner of this category. Rory Holm started off his first run with a time of 1:26.89 followed by a 1:11.28 and finally with a winning time of 1:04.44, therefore, bettering his first time by over 22 seconds, that is a very impressive achievement! Completing the podium, Travis Hopkins racing for Fat Creations finished with a time of 1:05.23 and bringing up the rear of the podium was Alex Foot with a time of 1:06.73.
1st Rory Holm
2nd Travis Hopkins - Fat Creations
3rd Alex Foot
Youth Men (15 to 16) Sponsored by DMR Bikes
Despite being seen as up-and-coming riders, these young guns can fight it out with the best of them in categories many years above them. Josh Williams from Swinley Bike Hub took the win overall with a time of 1:03.60 in the battle of the Bikeparks with Callum Snook and Sam Radbourne racing for Windhill coming 2nd and 3rd respectively with times of 1:03.76 and 1:04.43. Very tight racing indeed with only 0.83 seconds splitting 1st to 3rd, the final round will be very tight racing indeed!
1st Josh Williams - Swinley Bike Hub
2nd Sam Radbourne - Windhill
3rd Callum Snook - Windhill
Under 18 Girls Sponsored by Schwalbe
For these young ladies, DH racing could prove quite stressful as the sport we choose is definitely not an easy one but these racers took it in their stride and rode amazingly! Elon Berry came down fastest with a time of 1:17.80 followed by Jael Maw racing for Flare Clothing company with a time of 1:27.13 and finally Imogen Rabani completing the podium with a time of 1:37.42.
1st Elin Berry
2nd Jael Maw
3rd Imogen Rabani
Junior Men (17 to 18 ) Sponsored by Just Bikes
Like Father like Son. Will Easey (riding for D&D Cycles) is well known in Racing for his effortless skill and super quick riding style. Coming back off a win from the last Root 1 Race, he was definitely eager for more of that top podium step although he also had a slightly bigger objective: Fastest time of the day! With some very quick runs at just over 1 minute, Will finally got under that magic 1 minute time on his Cotic Rocket but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to beat Ben Deakin. Although his time of 0:59.36 was good enough to win him the Junior category and also achieve 3rd fastest time overall! Definitely from an impressive feat from this young rider! Jordan Powell racing for Cyclepaths brought home 2nd place with a time of 1:03.19 and Tidworth Freeride local Calvin Jarman finished the Final step of the podium with a time of 1:04.97.
1st Will Easey - D&D Cycles
2nd Jordan Powell - Cyclepaths
3rd Calvin Jarman
Novice Senior Women (19 to 29) Sponsored by Flare Clothing
Downhill Mountain biking can be seen as a very dangerous sport and therefore competing in your first race can be pretty scary! The Novice categories in the Root 1 Series are designed to provide a low pressure but still very fun category for people to enjoy their first race/races. Seeing more women entering the sport that we enjoy so much is amazing as we really want to get as many people to get involved in one of the greatest disciplines in Mountain Biking (not biased at all!) On the day, Ebony Webber came out on top with a time of 1:16.26 followed by Rebecca Johnson with a time of 1:21.49 and Queen Waterman with a time of 1:24.42.
1st Ebony Webber
2nd Rebecca Johnson
3rd Queenie Waterman
Novice Master Women (30+) Sponsored by Dame Cycling
Along with the Novice Senior Women category, the Novice Master Women category has helped introduce a lot more people into DH racing. To also thank for this we have Dame Cycling who are a Women's race team who enjoy going out on social rides and also providing a helpful and supportive team to ladies wanting to race for the first time. We would also like to thank them for sponsoring this category. These women were definitely not slow on the bike though with Kayleigh Freidl coming home with a time of 1:17.40 followed by Emma Downey for Dame cycling coming in for 2nd with a time of 1:24.79 and finishing up the podium was Lucy Williams for Team Dnegl with a time of 1:30.61.
1st Kayleigh Freidl
2nd Emma Downey - Dame Cycling
3rd Lucy Williams - Team Dnegl
Novice Senior/Master Men Sponsored by Schwalbe(19-30+)
The Novice categories are designed for riders who haven't raced before or only once or twice so they are in a low-pressure category where everybody is similarly matched to make it a fair competition. Despite this, these guys are no slouches on this track. Alex Bickham took the win with a time of 1:02.41 followed by Stephen Fenner for DirtyRascals with a time of 1:02.94 (very tight racing!). Bringing up the final spot on the podium was Oliver Lewis with a time of 1:04.36.
1st Alex Bickham
2nd Stephen Fenner - Dirtyrascals
3rd Oliver Lewis
Senior Men (19 to 29) Sponsored by TF Tuned
Possibly the hottest contested category, the top 7 in this category were only separated by 5 seconds with the first and last in the category being separated by only 12 seconds! Zak Hurrell racing for Ducksmart/Danger UK/Mudhugger came out on top with a time of 1:00.00 closely followed by Finn Tennant who is back racing after a period of injury coming in at 2nd place with a time of 1:01.03 and even closely followed by Dave Harvey who finished a silky smooth run with a time of 1:01.44, only 0.41 seconds behind 2nd place! With the final round in the series looming ever closer, these boys know that points mean prizes so are pulling out all the stops to get those faster times and higher position.
1st Zack Hurrell - Ducksmart/Danger UK/Mudhugger
2nd Finn Tennant - Team Mitchell Cycles
3rd David Harvey
Senior Women (19 to 29)Sponsored by Just Bikes
Despite this being a grassroots race, these women are still bringing some fierce competition. After a close 2nd last round, Pasca Nicholson racing for Tidworth Freeride claimed the top step of the podium with a time of 1:13.28 followed by Molly Major racing for Hardy Cycles Exeter and Riders company with a time of 1:15.50, some very tight times there! Kirsty Twelftree riding for Royal Racing Roots finished off the podium with a time of 1:25.80.
1st Pasca Nicholson - Tidworth Freeride
2nd Molly Major - Hardy Cycles Exeter/Riders Company
3rd Kirsty Twelftree - Royal Racing Roots
Master Men (30 to 39) Sponsored by DMR Bikes
Guess who is back on the top step?! Ben Deakin has made it two in a row in winning his category and also achieving the fastest time of the day in the Root 1 Series! He was the only rider on the day to consecutively get under 1 minute in all of his runs with his fastest time of the day being a 0:58.17 which was more than enough to make sure he reaches the top step of the podium. He places his success down to his #OiOi socks but all the supporters can just see his silky smooth lines and the skill he brings to the track, it definitely inspires so many riders to try different lines and achieve faster times. Ben definitely wasn't without competition though, Nick Platt was hot on his heels with a time of 0:58.58 which was good enough for second position overall on the day. Aaron Budden racing for Tidworth Freeride finished the day in third place with a time of 1:02.52.
1st Ben Deakin - DMR Bikes
2nd Nick Platt
3rd Aaron Budden - Tidworth Freeride
Master Women (30+) Sponsored by Dame Cycling
The 30+ Women category was a small category on the day but the racing was definitely very tight. Katie Drake just edged past Kelli Salone from Dame Cycling/QuidneIT by 1.01 seconds to take the win with a time of 1:15.25. Sara Packer completed the podium with a time of 1:26.56.
1st Katie Drake
2nd Kelli Salone - Dame Cycling/QuidneIT
3rd Sara Packer
Veteran Man (40 to 49) Sponsored by Flare Clothing
Following on taking the top step of the podium in the last round of the series, Steve Geall (riding for Team Shithouse) was thirsty for another win and it was evident from practice that he was definitely not holding back. He pulled together 3 very consistent runs and getting faster each run with two of his three runs taking just over 1 minute. His fastest time of the day was 1:00.50 showing that despite Downhill racing being seen as a young guns sport, these Veterans are no slouches. Following on from Steve, Ben Leach of BMX Wroughton filled the 2nd step of the podium with a time of 1:02.26 and completing the top 3 was Jerry Foot with a time of 1:04.46.
1st Steve Geall - Team Shithouse
2nd Ben Leach - BMX Wroughton
3rd Jerry Foot
Grand Veteran Man (50+) Sponsored by Team Mitchell Cycles
Following on from the win from his son, the Easey family made it two out of two with Mike Easey racing his Cotic rocket to the fastest time in the category at 1:11.48 closely followed by David Bates from Swindon Mountain Bike enthusiasts who finished with a time of 1:15.65 and Mike Snuggs who was piloting a very interesting Haibike DH E-bike and finished with a time of 1:18.07. E-Bike could be the next 29er wheel in World Cup racing, you never know!
1st Mike Easey - Cotic
2nd David Bates - Swindon Mountain Bike Enthusiast
3rd Mike Snuggs - Old Boy with the DH E-Bike
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1 Comment
- 3 0
DaMilkyBarKid
(Jul 5, 2017 at 9:59)
My first race on the bike for a very long time, absolutely brilliant!
Great organisation, great friendly vibe and the little rippers were just bonkers fast. Now just got to see if I can get the time off work to do Rd3.
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