Champion in 2002 and again in 2005, Adi Scott (The Bike Shop) continues to lead the senior field but is under strong pressure from Matt Barrett (Team Lutterworth Cycle Centre) – overall winner in 2006 – and Ryan Henry (Freeride Spain) who, now with e
ight wins between them in the series, again went head-to-head at the front of the action.
Barrett, who has only ridden five races in the best-six-to-count competition, opened up a decisive gap over his rival on the second and third laps to eventually finish with a winning margin of 53 seconds, while Henry held off Jason Hucklesby (St Ives CC) by 11 seconds for second place and in the process climbed to second in the table.
Thrapston's Lloyd Bettles finished fifth on the night and Phil Topliss, of Northampton club Treads MTB, seventh.
Confirmed as the top two overall, Jef Sharp and John McAndrew (both Ben Hayward OTH) landed another veterans one-two in that order, separated by nine seconds, with Gary Hill (CATS MBC) fourth and Ron Rutgers (Numplumz.com) fifth to keep both in the running for a final third
spot overall.
Stephen Bunn (CATS MBC) logged his fourth win of the series to lead the over-50 grand veterans table on countback from Tim Stowe (MI Racing), whose absence let in Vic Barnett (Welland Valley CC) to take second place and go third overall.
Noelle James (VC Nottingham) claimed her second women's win and leads overall, although absentee Fizz Crammond (Cyclone MBC) will take the title by finishing no lower than third in the last round.
Kristian Morris (WVCC) leads the junior table on countback from Richard Jones (Numplumz.com), despite losing out to his rival on the night, and youth champion Kettering CC's Bradley Burbridge dominated again to win from clubmate James Hyde and Tom Kruger (45 RC).
The new venue, adjoining Brigstock Country Park, proved popular with a number of short climbs and a singletrack section providing variety.
The final scoring round is at Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Cosford Lane, Rugby, next Friday before an end-of-season fun event with barbecue and prize presentation at Airfield Farm, Market Harborough, on August 22.
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