Beetham beat 'em again!

Geoff Beetham riding for Eastern Region Velo/Bianchi, scored another brilliant win in the sixth running of the unique Slick and Knobbly 2 Day Cycle Race at Bury St Edmunds at the weekend, repeating his victory of last year. The event comprised a nine mile time trial on Saturday morning, a long road race on Saturday afternoon and a gruelling mountain bike race on Sunday at the Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, where the event was based. There were two classes, one for National Elite, First and Second category riders and the Clubman Class, catering for Third and Fourth categories as well as Women, Juniors and Veterans. The Clubman class was won by Rob Hobbs riding for Loughborough Students.

The time trial took place on an undulating course, starting at Nowton, and going through Hawstead and Lawshall and finishing in Stanningfield. Quickest National rider was Simon Gaywood (CC Luton) and best Clubman David Giffin from the organising West Suffolk Wheelers. The road race utilised a new course linking Little Whelnetham to Cockfield and Felsham via Bradfield St Clare, and saw Daniel Hopkins (Hitchin Nomads) escape from the bunch on the last lap to win the Clubman's race, with Rob Hobbs just holding off Richard Farrow (West Suffolk Whs) for second. In the National class the surprise winner was Chris Guy (ERV/Bianchi) who finished over a minute ahead of Simon Gaywood, with Geoff Beetham third.

It was all to play for on Sunday's mountain bike stages, with just a few points covering the leaders in each class at that point, these being awarded on placings in each stage. Gavin Rumbles (CC Luton) stormed away after the Le Mans-type start and built up an unassailable lead in the Clubman race, whilst joint overnight leaders Rob Hobbs and Daniel Hopkins battled for mid-field positions. Hopkins lost time with a puncture, leaving Hobbs to come home tenth, but good enough to claim overall victory.

Similar drama in the National class; Beetham punctured whilst enjoying a dominant lead, but rapidly repaired it to avoid being caught by Simon Gaywood, laying fifth, and Beetham fought back up to second behind stage winner Mark Smith (Army Cycling Union) and thereby claim his well deserved second consecutive overall win.

Results

National Class
1st Geoff Beetham (Eastern Region Velo/Bianchi)
2nd Simon Gaywood (CC Luton)
3rd Martin Smith (Army Cycling Union

Clubmen Class
1st  Rob Hobbs (Loughborough Students)
2nd Roy Hunt (Rock Lobster
3rd David Giffin (West Suffolk Whs) 

Stage Winners
National; 
Time Trial - Simon Gaywood, 
Road Race - Chris Guy (ERV/Bianchi), 
MTB - Martin Smith

Clubmen
Time Trial -- David Giffin (West Suffolk Whs), 
Road Race -- Daniel Hopkins (Hitchin Nomads), 
MTB -- Gavin Rumbles (CC Luton)

Best Junior 
Will Dorsett (North Norfolk Whs)

Best Vet Roy Hunt

Best Team  
Eastern Region Velo/Bianchi 
(Geoff Beetham, Shaun Aldous, Glen Stanford)