Bikestyle 2009 Downhill Series - Round 4 - Junior National

Tholt-Y-Will 14/06/2009

Sunday 12th July marked the first proper wet race of the season. Most riders who had been riding on dry tyres for practise leading up to the race had to make last minute change to deal with the conditions.

Due to the age restriction, round 4 also became the junior national, so it was disappointing to see just three junior riders. Finn Cain took a deserved third place with Cai Illingwoth in second. It was impressive to see how all the young riders tackled the difficult conditions, however the most impressive rider of the day was Mark Turner, who not only took first in the junior class, but would have placed 10th in the senior class.

In the senior class, the challenging conditions made for some interested racing with most riders having at least some form of crash. Russ Sansom tested out his new neck brace towards the end of the race run leaving him in 6th position with Chris Sharpe in 5th - on his last race in the Isle of Man. Brian Ravenshear had an expensive race after snapping a £165 deraileur during his race run.

Second and third place were seperated by just 0.5 seconds, with Gareth Fargher just ahead of Andrew Winstanley. Tom Skillicorn took the win again.

The club wishes to thank the marshalls,spectators,DAFF,Manx first aid,Manx timing solutions,BIKESTYLE, 4WD centre,Fairclough & Callow. Colin & Scotty,the uplift drivers & A big thankyou to Graham Hughes for commissaring the event.

Sam Gordon