Race Report!

Midlands Series RD 2 – Cannock Chase

Results…

Alex Baker	1^st	Juvenile
Ben Roff	1^st	Youth
Brodie Gardias	25^th	Sport

Well what can you say at the moment about Alex and Ben? Our two young future stars have been in such dominant form of late it is almost too good to be true but there was no stopping them at the latest round of the Midlands series as they continued with there impressive form both picking up wins and extending there lead at the top of the National Rankings!

Fortunately we had our chief Monkey reporter at the race and sent back this report…

Double Glory for Orange Monkey at Midland XC Rd 2

Orange Monkey riders continued their excellent progress this season with a dominant display in the younger age groups at the Midlands XC Rd2 on Cannock Chase.

A return to the surprise package of a course, similar to last year but lengthened and with additional climbs and descents. It is no surprise to find when you have completed the course that you have been climbing more than 250m, it is tough and fast with short, loose, lung busting climbs and technical descents separated by a couple of long, steep climbs that really sap the energy. It is a race that separates the men from the boys! And our boys did us proud!

First off was Ben in the Youth race, he was first up the opening climb and into the single-track before taking a wrong turn and losing three places whilst getting back on the track, however his strength told as he used the next bit of double track to outsprint his rivals to lead going into the single-track. He then built a gap as he chased down the Junior riders who had started 2 minutes ahead. He finished almost two minutes ahead of the field to take his second win of the series and was up to third place in the Junior race as they started their third lap.

Ben in total control at the top of the first climb…

Next to go was Alex who was also looking for his second win in the series and true to recent form Alex attacked the first hill and went into the single-track with a commanding lead which, although he made the same course direction mistake as Ben (something they both said they’d also done in practice ;-)) was never to be threatened. Alex loved the course and began chasing down the Youth and Junior riders who started ahead of him. He came home to take the win in the Juvenile race with a commanding 2.5 minute gap; he had caught most of the Youth riders and was well amongst the Juniors.

Alex split the field from the gun…

Another successful day for the Orange Monkey youth squad was followed in the afternoon race by a good, consistent performance from Brodie Gardias. Our up and coming Sport category rider is still recovering from Glandular Fever and has had a tough start to the season, with very few hours spent in the saddle.

Jubilant as he recovers from his efforts…

Coming in to the Cannock race Brodie had seen very few bike hours since his outing at Drumlanrig. In a large and strong Sport field, Brodie was towards the back as they neared the top of the first long climb, but as the bottleneck formed at the entry into the single-track and riders unclipped and got off, Brodie seized his opportunity and hefted his bike, Cyclocross style, above his head and forced a line on the inside, overtaking 5 or 6 riders in the process. After getting held up frequently on the first lap, Brodie put in good consistent lap times overtaking riders continuously on laps two and three to come home with a respectable mid pack finish. But importantly for Brodie another race under his belt and consistent lap times as he continues to fight back to fitness.