Mud n' guts!
By TMX Archives on 8th Apr 04
HONDA RACING Fast Eddy rider Paul Edmondson comfortably topped the Pro class field at the '04 UK XC series opener held at Ellesmere in Shropshire - a race that will be remembered as being the muddiest UK cross-country championship race HONDA RACING Fast Eddy rider Paul Edmondson comfortably topped the Pro class field at the '04 UK XC series opener held at Ellesmere in Shropshire - a race that will be remembered as being the muddiest UK cross-country championship race held so far.Edmondson lead home the Pro Open two-stroke class and was the only rider to notch up 17 laps around the extremely demanding course. Yamaha rider Jason Fraser came home first in the combined 125cc two-stroke/250cc four-stroke class with Chris Tett steering his Husaberg to victory in the third Pro class - the Open four-stroke category.Hitting the front early on after making light work of the 125cc two-strokes and 250cc four-strokes that started in front of him, Eddy had things relatively easy as reigning UK XC champion David Knight found himself sidelined early on. Having worked his way up to third overall after starting right at the rear of the Pro class, DK's KTM plug cap became dislodged which put the Manx ace out of the running."I don't think any rider can say that they didn't find that race really difficult," said Edmondson at the finish. "I know I certainly did during the last few laps. My goal was to try and catch and pass all other riders ahead of me before the end of the first lap. I was fourth at the end of the first lap and a couple of minutes after that I was in the lead. I ended up winning quite comfortably which I'm very happy about."With Edmondson a cut above the rest in the two-stroke class, Fraser made the conditions look a lot easier than most on his way to victory in the smallest capacity Pro class. Finishing on the same lap but almost eight minutes ahead of his nearest class rival Wayne Braybrook, Fraser's consistency was the key to success."I seemed to find the race a lot easier than most of the Pro riders," reckoned Fraser. "I seem to struggle at the races that have motocross tracks but here I was fine - I just got a little bit of cramp. It was a case of following the ruts really and riding at a pace that I could maintain. I know I wasn't the fastest rider on the track but I was one of the most consistent."Despite finishing four laps behind Edmondson and two behind Fraser, Chris Tett topped the Pro Open four-stroke class after Juan Knight had to pit to clear mud from his over-heating Gas Gas.By Jonty Edmunds