Enduro1 Race 3 – Aston Hill

Since the late Nineties Aston Hill has been one of the most well-known bike parks for us Southerners, and with the rapid growth of Enduro racing it is an ideal race venue for racers who don’t mind a bit of pedalling and the odd climb! Ian Warby (founder of Aston Hill) was back on his old stomping ground and was wearing number 9 for the day. The rain was holding off but the chalky ground was already damp and looking treacherous!

Race 3 of the Enduro1 series had a few changes compared to previous Enduro1 events. First of all there was only 1 class: competitive and the course consisted of 3 runs ridden twice plus a special “bonus” unseen stage. The 1st run of stage one was timed, however the 1st run of stage 2 and 3 were not timed but you did need to get to the top of the climb after stage 3 in a set time. All 2nd runs of stages one, two and three were timed, add on the first run of stage one and the “bonus” fourth stage and the fastest rider wins. Simple!

Stage one started on the start ramp and headed down the black run sending riders over a series of jumps and berms. It wasn’t all plain sailing through and riders were soon thrown into a steep trail littered with damp roots, switchbacks and fast chutes. Joe Winston was charging and took a narrow win ahead of the two Nukeproof/Nema riders Chris Keeble-Smith and Joe Buck.

Stage two took riders down the 4x track railing the massive 180 degree berms and launching the jumps before heading onto the XC course with a series of short, nadgery, rooty rises which required careful gear selection and fresh legs.

Stage three used elements of DH3 and started with a relatively flat sprint, a bermed chute and another sprint before leading riders into a sharp left turn which suddenly tightened and caught pretty much everyone out on the 1st run. A lung busting climb took you to a fireroad descent then into one of the best trails on the hill. Off camber roots a go go and more fun steep sections.

At the end of the first 3 stages approximately a third of riders picked up a 20 second penalty for being late returning to the checkpoint at the top of the climb.

The second run of stage one saw the top three riders duke it out again but this time with Joe Buck taking the win ahead of Joe Winston and Chris Keeble-Smith. The first timed run of stage two was won jointly by Richard Payne and Andy Weames with Chris Keeble-Smith in third a couple of seconds ahead of Joe Winston. Stage three again saw Joe Winston narrowly edging ahead of Chris Keeble-Smith. Luke Eggar took third.

The special “bonus” stage four started at the bottom of stage three and used a section of the XC course climb. Luke Eggar was the fastest with a time of 4 minutes 7 seconds of lung burning pain. Chris Keeble-Smith took second 12 seconds slower and Jason Puzey took third. Over half the field received a 20 second penalty at the final check point.

Overall, Chris Keeble-Smith’s consistency took the win with Luke Eggar in second and Joe Winston in Third. The ladies category was a close run thing with Anna Glowinsky and Sally Evamy separated by only 2 seconds after 23 minutes of racing. Anna took the win, Sally second and Sue Hawkridge in third. In the team category MB Swindon Gravity team of Mike Brazier, James Scott, Pete Gowland and Phil Allum took the victory ahead of QECP Trail Collective in second and Sketchy B in third.

So what do you think…….should Enduro include an uphill stage?

Book onto the final round at Blanford October 20th

http://www.enduro1.co.uk/

Words – Simon Truelove
Images – Carlos Perez