The second round of Wessex league racing took the biggest NFCC contigent yet to the New Forest Care Outdoor Learning Centre, the scene of the summer cx races in June.

The lap was more than twice the length of the summer course, taking around 10 minutes to complete. New Forest were represented by Jay Tarrant, Matt Knight, and Phil Grant in the V40 Open race, Emma Shepherd and Catherine Pascoe in the Women’s race, Joe shepherd and Reece Dawson in the Senior Open race.

With expectations of another hot race after last week, a curve ball was thrown when rain appeared just before the V40 start. This turned the fast grassy corners treacherous for those on dry weather tyres, Jay, Phill and Matt acquitted themselves admirably finishing 6th, 30th and 59th respectively in a huge field of 75 riders.

The womens field was immediately strung out after a fast start by riders at the front, after 4 long laps Emma came in 5th Senior and 12th overall with Catherine taking the top spot in the V60 category and 24th overall. A successful week for the NFCC women!

The senior open race finally got underway as the rain eased up, the bikes now caked in grass cuttings there were a number of riders taking bike changes in the pits. Joe improved on the previous round finishing 17th and Reece put in an admirable effort to finish 36th.

Well done to all on what was a tough day of racing in tricky conditions, it was great to see such a large club contingent that is hopefully indicative of an increasing presence in the coming rounds. A special mention muxt go to Phil Grant and Reece Dawson who were both competing in their first CX race, they are both keen to return!

There is a break now before the league returns on 24th September at Foxhill Motocross track which offers a more technical course and a different challenge to round 2.