Put'ting on the blitz at Jurby
By TMX Archives on 30th Oct 08
FOR many X-Country riders it is becoming traditional to attend the final round of the Putoline XC Championship at Jurby, on the Isle of Man, each October, but this year there was a special test thrown in for good measure, which began for most competitors when the ferries left port and headed out into the Irish Sea.Wednesday and Thursday saw the area battered by gale force winds rated at Force 10 and mountainous seas combined with driving rain. The outlook didn't look good for the weekend but, as if in the eye of the storm, Friday was sunny and the final round of the Youth Championship enjoyed near perfect conditions at the challenging Jurby Head course.Saturday was not so lucky as the wind and rain returned for the Putoline XC Tough One Iron Giant Extreme Beach Race Hurricane Championship, where points were awarded simply for standing up something which few riders actually managed.
Seriously, conditions really were tough and had it not been for the fact that so many riders had travelled so far, the event may have been cancelled. However, Paul Edmondson is not known for giving up easily and he, along with his marshalling crew, battled the elements to put on the toughest Putoline XC race ever.
This year the whole shooting match was based at the Grand Island Hotel on the outskirts of Ramsey, at the northern end of the island. It is a welcome and social end to the season where riders can relax and discuss the day or the season in a lively atmosphere. A far cry from the normal race, pack up and go home of most other events.
The presentation evening incorporated not only the awards for the weekend's races but also the Putoline XC Championship silverware.
Friday's sunny weather hosted an excellent turnout for the Youth race. As usual, many Manx riders entered the event and Jamie McCanney showed the main-lander how it should be done with an impressive 17 laps and the only sub five-minute lap of the whole race, all of which helped him to win the Youth 85cc class with ease. Callum Cooper wasn't far behind but a lap down in second spot with Fraser Flockhart third, also on 16 laps.
Jack Edmondson had already wrapped up the Junior 65cc class, but he was determined to finish the series in style and took his class by a clear lap over second-placed Ollie Benton, who headed a pack of riders on 12 laps.
Reece Crellin and Alex Walton were virtually inseparable taking third and fourth respectively while Leo Dentith took fifth, a lap down on the leaders.
Alex West and Michael Evans battled tooth-and-nail in the Youth 125/150cc division. The two were within yards of each other throughout the race but West put on a spurt during the final lap to pull out a two-minute lead as he took the flag. Evans was second, followed by Tanya Dentith in third, two laps down on the leaders. Callum Kinrade and Liam Sweeney completed the top five, all in double figures on laps completed.
As Saturday dawned the winds picked up to Force 10 and the rain came in horizontally as riders prepared for the final championship race. The brave few who lined their bikes up early soon realised their mistake as every bike was blown over.
In addition to the tough course, riders had to contend with horizontal rain mixed with sand which
literally sand blasted everyone throughout the event.
The strong winds made the beach section extra tough as riders had a long part of the course heading straight into the wind before climbing up the steep banks and onto the scrubby cliff-top heather and sand sections where there was no respite.
A veteran of ten Weston Beach Races, Keith Patstone, commented: "This has been harder than any of the Beach races I have attended. There was no let up from the wind and the beach section was one of the most challenging I have ever ridden."
PUTOLINE X-COUNTRY CHAMPS
Rd 7 (Final) – Jurby, Isle of Man
(fasteddyracing.com)
YOUTH
Junior 65cc: 1 Jack Edmondson, 2 Oliver Benton, 3 Reece Crellin, 4 Alex Walton, 5 Leo Dentith.
Youth 85cc: 1 Jamie McCanney, 2 Callum Cooper, 3 Fraser Flockhart, 4 Brad Freeman, 5 Ryan Cringle.
Youth 125/150cc: 1 Alex West, 2 Michael Evans, 3 Tanya Dentith, 4 Callum Kinrade, 5 Liam Sweeney.
ADULT
Pro: 1 Matt Moffatt, 2 Matt Lund, 3 Andrew Edwards, 4 James Jackman, 5 Tim Foreman.
Expert: 1 Jamie McCanney, 2 Derek Bawn, 3 Ryan Bourne, 4 Ben Begbie, 5 Paul Herbert.
Super Clubman: 1 James Harvey, 2 Jamie Wright, 3 Adam Reynolds.
Clubman 2T: 1 Robbie Turner, 2 David Christian, 3 Michael Winsor, 4 David McNulty, 5 Simon McCane.
Clubman 4T: 1 Lee Hattersley, 2 Sean O'Neil, 3 Gareth Delahay, 4 Stuart Keedwell, 5 Rory Parker.
Novice 4T: 1 Mark Beresford, 2 Jim Fitsimmons, 3 Andrew McDonald, 4 Adam Huxham, 5 Kenny Blain.
Novice 2T: 1 Callum Cooper, 2 Kev Sandland, 3 Alex West, 4 Nathan Swift, 5 Alec Trawford.
Veteran & Ladies: 1 Peter Clarke, 2 Keith Patstone, 3 Chris Ball, 4 Gary Kirby, 5 Robbie Quayle.
Veteran 35: 1 Richard Main, 2 Chris Roberts, 3 Dennis Harrison, 4 Jason Kendrick-Jones.
FINAL SERIES STANDINGS
YOUTH
Junior 65cc: 1 Jack Edmondson, 2 Oliver Benton, 3 Alex Walton, 4 Ben Clarke, 5 Henry Williams.
Youth 85cc: 1 Fraser Flockhart, 2 Joe Wooten, 3 Brad Freeman, 4 Dominic Thomas, 5 Hannah Hope.
Youth 125/150cc: 1 Scott Clifford, 2 Johnny Jones, 3 Thomas James, 4 Alex West, 5 Robert Crosby.
ADULT
Novice 2T: 1 Kev Sandland, 2 Alec Trawford, 3 Johnny Jones, 4 Jason Boyle, 5 Lee Day.
Novice 4T: 1 Jim Fitsimmons, 2 Mark Beresford, 3 Stuart Holmes, 4 Richard Lewis, 5 Mark Bradbury.
Clubman 2T: 1 Karl Day, 2 Michael Winsor, 3 Lance Hurdsman, 4 Luke Warr, 5 John Crosby.
Clubman 4T: 1 Sean O'Neill, 2 Gareth Delahay, 3 Lee Hattersley, 4 Stuart Keedwell, 5 Royce Machin.
Veteran: 1 Peter Clarke, 2 Keith Patstone, 3 Ivan Sheane, 4 Derrick Edmondson, 5 David Lote.
Ladies: 1 Sophie Thomas, 2 Jane Daniels, 3 Hannah Hope, 4 Jackie Riding, 5 Kate Harrington.
Veteran 35: 1 Richard Main, 2 Dennis Harrison, 3 Jason Kendrick-Jones, 4 Ryan Griffiths, 5 Chris Roberts.
Super Clubman: 1 James Harvey, 2 James Giddings, 3 Adam Reynolds, 4 Lewis Belfield, 5 Gary Daniels.
Expert: 1 Jack Twentyman, 2 Gareth Hopkins, 3 Tsar Sheane, 4 Drew Harvey, 5 Craig Reynolds.
Pro: 1 Tim Foreman, 2 James Jackman, 3 Paul Edmondson, 4 Darren Carter, 5 Lincoln Brewster.
Sand storm! Recently crowned Junior 65cc Champ, Jack Edmondson, enjoyed a stylish final season victory.