Report: WOR Events - Sucker Punch

The two Humphreys brothers started the event as favourites with the lads running numbers 1 and 2 on their smart rider bibs as that was their positions in the last Sucker Punch. 

Owain, as defending Champion, was looking to keep his younger brother Gethin behind him but that was not going to be easy as straight from the off it was Gethin that was setting an electric pace at the sharp end of the results. 

Never far behind though was Owain and these two simply shocked everyone with the sheer pace at which they attacked the gnarly track. 

There was the now famous "stream” section near the end of the lap and this is a tough, unforgiving mass of water, rocks, branches and moss-covered stones that riders find hard enough to crawl through never mind go through at pace. 

The Humphreys went down this section as if on a tarmac road in places, speed, strength and skill with a level of fitness that simply could not be matched by any other rider. 

Steve Ireland had said in his rider briefing that he anticipated the top riders would win the event with a time of around 2hrs and 40 minutes, he was bang on with that prediction as the Humphreys boys finished the 100km in 2hrs and 35 minutes. 

The two Husqvarnas battled away with one another almost in a race of their own and as they went into their last lap it was looking like Gethin was going to take the fight with a small lead. Coming into the final hill section just before the chequered flag area it was Gethin ahead and entering the stump section with an aggressive and attacking mindset. 

But disaster struck for him in that evil part of the track, making a mistake and getting struck, Owain passed him and took the lead and even crashed himself at the top of the section insight of the finish area but he managed to race down the fire road and snatch a stunning victory out of his brothers hands. 

Owain eventually finished 70 seconds ahead and a devastated Gethin crossed the line for the runners-up spot. 

Wayne Braybrook was a solid third place on the podium and proved that at 46 -years old he can still be the man to beat. 

Wayne finished 10 minutes adrift of the Humphreys and two-minutes clear of Keelan Hancock. Ross Hancock was a close fifth place to his brother as they too put in a fine display of riding.

Nathan Ball scooped top honours in the very competitive Clubman class. Ball was four minutes plus ahead of Fred Adams.

Nathan eventually finished a superb 14th overall. Adams, another upcoming young rider from Bristol used his ex trials riding skills to push hard and give himself a comfortable five-minute lead over third placed Danny Thomas. Most of the Clubman riders got themselves a Gold medal finish, a testament to the high level of riding skills and determination within that class.

Mick Boam is certainly the man to beat in the Over 40 scene of Extreme and Hare Scramble Enduros. Mick led the Over 40 group from start to finish and eventually finished 11 minutes clear of his nearest rival, Ross Hall. Hall himself had a great ride and tracked third placed Chris Green for the entire race eventually passing Green on the last lap. Mark Kirby went well to in the group with a strong ride.

In the Sportsman class it was Dave Handley with the winning ride, completing a very impressive five laps and Gold placing. Taking the Sportsman runner-up spot was Scott Boothwho in turn was 20 minutes clear of third placed Oliver Fortune. Booth and Fortune took a wellearned Gold medal each too.

Young Tomas Mahoney did brilliant too, taking the Novice class victory and completing a super tough five laps in 4hrs and 43 minutes. Runner-up was Darren Kendall with Craig Taylor taking third spot. 

At the five hour cut off point most riders were back at their vans with some kind of reward and comforting knowledge that they had just done a proper, classy event.