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Manchester Midweek MTB Madness No 4

Manchester Midweek MTB Madness No 4│Manchester Midweek MTB Madness
Event: 14th July 2011
Event Details
Photos: Ed Rollason
Report: Jason Wiltshire

Round 4 of the series and we return to the familiar surroundings of Clayton Vale, albeit with a few minor changes which made for a slightly longer lap. Another good field (albeit minus series leader Ady Lawrence), with riders now familiar with the obligatory 300 yard sprint at the start into the first climb/bottleneck. Jason Tonge grabbed the holeshot with Hunt, Albutt, Webber and Gilday, again on his cross bike, in close attendance. The short stabbing climbs quickly split the field and after 9 minutes Tom Albutt led the field through to complete the first lap. In close attendance was Tonge and Hunt with Gilday a short distance behind.

At the end of the second lap Albutt was already starting to forge a big lead with Hunt and Tonge still battling for second and Humphries now moving up into 4th. The dry conditions meant for a fast race and behind the leading 5 places were being swapped with alarming regularity. The race was just over 10 minutes longer than round 3 and the extra lap at this fast pace seemed to take its toll on some of the riders.

By half way, the places were starting to settle with Albutt getting faster as the race wore on and Hunt confirming second place. Outside the top 5, Ormes, Rockliffe, Ally, Dilkes and Webber were all swapping places in a hotly contested race. Gilday was doing another superb ride in 5th whilst Cathy Atkinson was holding the other female competitors at bay with a storming ride to be the first female. Back at the front Albutt took a convincing win from Hunt, Tonge was almost caught on the line for 3rd by Humphries after a fierce sprint, which was to be the first of a number of sprint finishes throughout the field.

Some of the best racing of the series and many thanks to all that entered. Next round Boggart Hole Clough, where we hope it will be drier than the last visit. See you there.

Round 4 Results | Standings After 4 Rounds

VIDEO:

More video: Start | Tree-lined singletrack