Riders from Trail Bikes Eatmore Sprouts Bike Team competed in the Island Mountain Bike Series, Spring Series over in Langley, and the Caleb Pike road race in Victoria the past two weekends. In the opening Island MTB series held in Victoria Amanda Wakeling rode a hard race and rode to a solid fourth in expert womens category, Jeff Beeston rode hard in the second race in Powell River but unfortunately had double flats at crucial moments during the race and finished 17th.
On the road side of racing Mark, Andrew, James, and Steve Grant, as well as Nigel Ellsay, and Doug Merrick competed in the spring series races in Langley. In the U17 category brothers James and Mark took 1st and 3rd in cold and rainy conditions. In the B race riders Andrew, Doug, and Nigel suffered as the 78km wore on and solo attacks were launched with the main group barely able to pursue due to the cold weather Nigel took 3rd at line. In the C race Steve Grant rode to build on his fitness after many years off due to family and work and was happy to cross the finish line in the conditions.
In the Sunday road race which featured 2 large climbs, a wickedly fast descent, and the terrible conditions from the previous day Doug and Nigel lined up for another hard days’ worth of riding. After initially riding hard Doug suffered in the cold and was dropped by the pack as the cold weather got to him, however after 83km of racing Nigel Ellsay took the group sprint for 2nd place in an impressive attack on the uphill finish that featured rough, pot-holed roads, and the strong cross winds. In the C race father-son duo Steve and Andrew battled hard in the weather. Andrew however suffered his chain to snap mid race causing him to unfortunately abandon.
The following weekend Doug and Nigel made the trip to Victoria to race the Caleb Pike road race; a hilly 3km course, which featured fast climbs, powerful descents, and luckily, some sunny weather as well. The 22 lap race got off to attacks from within the first 100m, followed by some counter attacks. At the 1km mark Nigel attacked and formed a breakaway of 5 riders that would last the duration of the race. After lapping the field Nigel sprinted on another tough uphill finish to take his first win of 2011. Afterword’s Nigel couldn’t believe how well he had done, in his full race against the pro cat 1,2’s riders, he managed to help initiate the break, lap the field, and take the sprint in an impressive display of power that bodes well as he aims for bigger goals in 2011!
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