The new three-round ACU British Cross Country Championship started at Chavenage, Nr Tetbury, Glos, on Sunday 16th May with KTM ace Daryl Bolter taking the spoils.

Many riders had arrived on a glorious afternoon the day before and had walked the course set in the midst of some truly beautiful countryside. Light overnight rain enhanced the course and it was in prime condition.

This would be no multi-lap field excursion, as the seven-mile lap would take in several wooded areas, steep climbs and even a deep water crossing.

The AM event would cater for Sportsmen, Clubman and Over 50’s and these set off bang on time at 10am to complete a two-hour session.

As predicted by the organiser, for these classes a 20 min lap would be the order of the day and so it transpired, with Richard Reeve, Rob Maller and Wayne Tibbles being the first to exit the woods at the end of Lap One. Jason Hamblin had made progress through the field and was the first Clubman to show, closely followed by brother Mark.

At the bottom of the valley, the riders had the option of tackling a large log followed by a deep water crossing, or an easier but 15 sec longer diversion. Hugo Kirkwood took the wrong option and his event more or less finished there! Chris Paget, Chris Stevens and Ben Perret were impressive through the water. In the O/50 class, James Jarman, Alan James and Peter Neale were the front runners.

At the end of the morning event it was the Hamblin brothers who led everyone home after some very impressing riding. A few heavy showers meant that the PM British Championship event would be more difficult and this was scheduled for 2.30pm.

Lewis Belfield took an early lead but at the end of Lap one, which had taken just 15 mins; it was Ollie Moyce that emerged from the woods in first place.

As the event progressed the KORR KTM rider Daryl Bolter passed Ollie and settled into a rhythm that looked as if it would be sufficient to gain the victory. Si Wakely on the Husqvarna was working hard to challenge however, but a mistake at the re-fuel point saw the challenge for top spot fade.

Towards the end of the event, heavy rain made the course far more slippery and the riders faced an additional challenge of not making mistakes while trying to hang on to positions.

It was Ollie Moyce – Husaberg and Ashley Wood -Gas Gas, who provided the closest battle with an event long tussle. Ollie eventually claimed second spot by a very narrow margin. Jon Hinam was going really well and managed to hold off Wakely for fourth.

Universal praise for the organisers and the course was the order of the day and it was an excellent start to the Championship.

Round two – will be on June 20th organised by RideoffroadUK at Harwood dale, Nr Scarborough.

Results:

AM:
Sportsman 2T : 1) Rob Maller ( Yamaha) 2) Chris Stevens ( Gas Gas) 3) Mark Schofield KTM
Sportsman 4T : 1) Glen Woodland ( Yamaha) 2) Richard Reeve (Suzuki) 3) Ben Perret ( Yamaha)
Clubman 2T: 1) James Hamblin ( KTM) 2) Mark Hamblin ( Suzuki) 3) James Reeves ( KTM)
Clubman 4T: 1) Daniel Price ( Yamaha) 2) Jeremy Dance ( KTM) 3) Stephen Nunn ( KTM)
Over 50: 1) James Jarman ( KTM) 2) Alan James ( Husaberg) 3) Peter Neale ( Husaberg)

PM:
Championship : 1) Daryl Bolter ( KTM ) 2) Ollie Moyce ( Husaberg) 3) Ashley Wood ( Gas Gas)
Expert: 1) Tyson Maytom – Jones ( Husaberg) 2) James Burroughs ( Husqvarna) 3) Seb Dexter ( Suzuki)
Clubman Elite : 1) George Baylis ( Yamaha) 2) Niki Walker ( KTM) 3) Chris Honeywell ( Suzuki)
Over 40 Experts: 1) Ady Smith ( KTM) 2) Gary Baker ( Husaberg) 3) Jack Twentyman ( Yamaha)
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