Race report - Gorrick Series round 3 - Heath Warren, Eversley by Darren Shepherd
This was my first race of the year, as my race in Gorrick Spring Series Round 1 ended prematurely whilst leading, when I got an un-repairable puncture when I slashed my tyre.
With the first round of the National Point Series just 3 weeks away, this race was an important gauge of early season form as usually all the big guys turn out - at least from the south. This race was to be no exception. I pre-rode the course and it was safe to say a good start would be required as the majority of the lap was tight, twisting singletrack, quite rough and lumpy and my view was that a full suspension bike would be a definite advantage.
As I had not competed in the series yet after my 1st round exit I was not gridded at the start, so I needed a quick getaway to be positioned well before we entered the first piece of singletrack. On the start-line I deliberately sat behind Mark Chadbourne, the 3-time National Champion, as he is always a good starter. By the time we entered the singletrack I was in the lead group of Mark Hutt, Paul Hopkins (reigning National Champion), Mark Chadbourne and Richard John (2009 National Points Series winner).
After around half a lap Hutt, Hopkins, Chadbourne and myself had opened a gap where we exchanged the lead between us quite a bit, with Chadbourne and Hutt taking the race by the scruff of the neck, but not able to open a decisive gap. After lap 2 Mark Chadbourne's race came to an end with gear problems, but he was certainly looking strong up to this point. Hutt, Hopkins and I battled to the end of the race, where with half a lap to go Hopkins got a small lead, which he maintained to the end to win by 21 seconds, with Hutt 2nd and myself 3rd on mark Hutt's wheel.
This was a good race for me. I felt sharp and fit and my new Specialized S-Works Epic full suspension Epic was excellent. It really does ride like a hardtail until you hit a bump when the suspension then becomes active. It is very light and stiff - everything you could ask for in a race machine - and I think this will definitely be beneficial to my 2011 National Points campaign, which is my main focus this year alongside the Southern XC series.
If you are into Specialized Bikes then you can view Primera’s full range here or there great range of Trek Bikeshere.
With Chris Walker and Alex not available for this Gorrick race the only other Primera rider was Sam Shepherd, who rode very well in the juvenile 12-14 age group to come 3rd place. The juveniles ride 2 laps of the full course and can sometimes be quite a long race for kids of this age, but is a good introduction to gaining stamina for these endurance sports, and will only make them stronger for future years.
Next race for the Primera riders will be Gorrick Round 4 on March 20th, followed by March 27th at the National Points Round1 at Sherwood Pines. We will keep you updated.
Darren Shepherd
Specialized S-Works Epic -http://www.primera-sports.com/products/specialized-249/specialized-2011-sworks-epic-8463.aspx
Specialized Bikes -http://www.primera-sports.com/manufacturers/specialized_bikes-250/
Trek Bikes - http://www.primera-sports.com/manufacturers/trek-1/