Well to say the first 2007 FNSS race was hectic is a slight understatement, nearly 130 riders meant a split of starts for the first time ever. This must have been quite an introduction to some of the slower seniors as the vets and grand vets carved there way through the pack, subsequently your author here didnt see much of the action from the sharp end.
Previous Senior Champ Smiffy takes up the tale.
The start was a touch messy, Neil was quick on the hooter and I was swamped, perhaps 30th into the second lap around the paddock, having already seen a pile up on the first corner. As we turned right at the timing tent and dived downhill I took the low route through 'the trench' and emerged at the far end just abreast of another rider who was so surprized by my sudden appearance he promptly rode into a wooden bollard, whoops!
It settled down once everyone was past the 'log jam' (sic), I could see the leaders had already gone, so it was a case of see how far up the field I could get. I passed Ian Whatling/numplumz who is really getting bloody speedy, and I moved up onto the shoulder of Josh Findlay (OBRI) in company with Paul Robertson (Treads). Robertson and I moved through into 5th and 6th, I made an effort on laps 3 & 4 to get past and hold 5th, but it wasn't to be; the chase through from the start had blunted my speed and I had to settle for 6th, with Robertson still in sight ahead. I was satisfied with the result, and have to concede that the field today was younger and stronger than me. All around I was happy with the race, especially as the swingarm bearings in the Strike had called enough.
Roll on the Bowl, hopefully this year I can get round without leaving bits of myself and bike all around the course!
Nick Jones (Team MK-TREK-Phil Corley) and Matt Barrett (Lutterworth cycles)battled for the whole race and it came down to a sprint with Jones getting it by a tyres width as you can see by the photo.Rob Friel/Raleigh.co.uk finished off the podium in 3rd with Adrian Scott/FreeRideSpain.com chasing hard. Lloyd Bettles/Numplumz.com rode to a chilled 7th getting Josh Findlay/OBRI Coaching RT on the line.
Nadine Spearing in her new team colours for XCRacer (Trek) showed a good ladies field a clean pair of wheels for the win.
Ben Roach/Rugby Velo road up there with the fast Seniors as he took a comfortable win in the Junior section.In the Youths Ben Roff/Team Keyne and Bradley Burbridge/Kettering CC resumed last years battles.
In the Vets once the initial carnage had settled Jef Sharp/Ben Haywards OTH/KCNC.co.uk took over from his fast starting teamate John McAndrew as the pair continued with their domination of vets racing this year. Keith Sperry/Welland Valley CC gave chase but a few incidents slowed him in the later stages allowing Steve Large to break away from an early battle between Gary hill/Cats MBC Jack Peterson/Numplumz and Phil Roach/Rugby Velo to overcome him for third for the flag.Gary grabbed 5th with a strong final blast up the hill holding the edge into the arena.10th Place went to Birthday boy Paul Brown/Kettering CC in his introduction to the competitive old boys cat.
In the Grand Vets Victor Barnett/Welland Valley CC and Tim Stowe/Mike Vaughan.co.uk joined in the vets Hill/Peterson/Roach battle showing considerable speed as Vic took a slim win, Last years champ Robert Chaundy/Team Keyne got third.
