Burtenshaw grabs his opportunity

Philip Touzeau negotiates his way around the Guet on his way to fourth place in the elite category race. (Picture by Les Perry, 0589683)

JAMIE BURTENSHAW grabbed his opportunity to step into the limelight in round five of the Ian Brown’s and Arrowsmith Marlowe Mountain Bike Cross-country Series.

Glorious sunny conditions met the 38 riders and with many of the top ones away racing in the UK, it gave others a chance to win.

Since the elite category contained only five entrants, the organisers decided to reduce the length of the race so that the elite, advanced and veteran categories all completed the same number of laps.

Advanced rider Burtenshaw rode a superb race and, although closely followed by elite riders Gary Robert and Richard Setters for the opening laps, he managed to open up and extend his lead from the chasers to finish some distance in front.

Robert held off a spirited challenge from Setters in the final laps to take his first victory in the elite category, with Chris Le Page finishing third and Philip Touzeau fourth.

Andy Gibson took second in the advanced behind Burtenshaw, with John Mapley third, Pete Miller fourth and Geoff Gibson fifth.

Nick Mann took the win in the veteran category, maintaining his perfect record over the first five races, although he may have to keep an eye over his shoulder as Velo Club president Gary Walbridge swapped his time-trial bike for a mountain one to take a shock second place.

Andy Wilson finished in third and is yet to hear the end of Wallbridge’s result.

Paul Setters took fourth place followed by Paul Watts, Tim Martin and Graham Le Maitre.

Earlier in the day, the sports, under-16 and under-14 categories competed and the race was won by sport rider Adam Sunderland, although under-14 winner Alex Falla was narrowly behind for much of the race.

James Mapley took second place in the sports category followed by Tim Luscombe, Phil Setters, Phil Sarchet and Anthony Renouf.

Alex Wilson won the smallest class of the day, the under-16s, with Alistair Martin in second.

Michael Mann took an impressive second behind Alex Falla in the under-14s and Will Falla completed the top three.

Young Bradley Smith mixed it with many of the older riders to take a very creditable fourth, showing what a talent he is for the future.

Juliet Setters was fifth and the first female rider, with Alex Martin completing the riders in sixth place.

Article posted on 10th June, 2008 - 2.29pm

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