Oxford Ixion Harold Avery Trial March 7, 2010

Report by Ken O'Brien

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The temperature plummeted Saturday night to well below freezing and the result was a very icy course of eight double subs to be taken in three times.

This event contested at the Lower Riding made up of mainly hill climbs included a round of the South Midland Centre Intermediate/Novice and 50/50 championships.

The main cup up for grabs the Harold Avery Cup is presented to the best Expert and on this occasion it was Mathew Christopher who had migrated from the western centre for the day finishing on 30 this was a particually good ride as Matt lost 15 of these on the very steep and icy section 12.

Seasoned rider Tim Blackmore caned the opposition with skillful ride in the intermediates losing 5 with section 11 catching him out for a three on his first visit to the longest loosest climb of the day.

Gas Gas mounted Steve Bird from the Nene Valley club took the 50/50 honours with a very acomplished performance and made Jim Axfords section 13/14 look simple although this sub caught many riders out as the frost just polished up as the event unfolded. The Phillip Howkins Cup went to Rob Faulkner and this is awarded for the best adult perfomance on the Standard White route.

Rob's agressive attacking style paying dividends as his tally of two marks lost made a mockery of the conditions in hand however in the end it was close call as Beta mounted Nigel Tomkins was on his case all day but a slip on section 15 second lap a left handed camber with a lattice of roots and a 4th gear blast to the ends was enough to give Faulkener the win.

Mark Howkins was best Novice and for his troubles will have his name engraved on the Spring Cup first awarded in 1949. Charlie Langston was again the one to beat as he took the Youth B by storm his nearest opponent 30 points adrift.Charlie rode section 9/10 well a twisting downhill affair with a very slick muddy drop to the rivers edge and an equally slick climb out to the ends up over exposed roots.

The easy Blue route Victor was local Electrical contractor Ron Walters piloting his very tidy 250 Beta around for a loss of 17 pushing Tony Sulivan into second spot on 33,Sully's 500 Matchless power was put to good use and could be heard roaring up the many long climbs.

RESULTS

Expert Matthew Christopher Gasser 30

1st class Stefan Walters Beta 45

Inter Tim Blackmore Beta 5

1st class Jamie Miller Beta 20

2nd class Mark Elms Beta 26

50/50 Steve Bird Gasser 8

Standard White Route

Clubman Rob Faulkner Scorpa 2

1st class Nigel Tomkins Beta 3

2nd class Alan Taylor Scorpa 11

Novice Mark Howkins Beta 13

1st class Kevin Miller Gasser 24 mc

2nd class John Langston Gasser 24

Youth B Charlie Langston Gasser 29

Ben Hayes Gasser 59

Easy Blue Route Ron Walters 250 Beta 17

Tony Sulivan Matchless 33