Cearsws Cup Rd 1

By Andy Woodvine (leisure lakes team rider)

I always look forward to racing at Cearsws it has to be one of the best venues in the country, challenging steep tracks with the quickest uplift anywhere, which is always good cos your not spending half your day stood in a queue. Thought that the race could prove a bit tricky as I wasn’t able to practice on the Saturday, so it was straight in at the deep end on the Sunday, learning the track as fast as possible in the two hours of free practice. Conditions could of hardly been worse, we had so much rain down in the night me and Chally almost didn’t get there the back roads were like a river. Practice went pretty good but the track was so tiring in the mud and with a tricky section in the bottom woods you couldn’t relax at all, so I knew the race runs would be pretty tough. After first run I was lying 2nd three seconds of James Conneron who beat me at Bringewood so I was keen to try and put a stop that and thought I’d push a bit harder second run and see what happens. My run was mint hit all my lines good with no real mistakes and managed to take over 4 seconds off my first run, I felt it was one of my best race runs I’ve done in difficult conditions and luckly it proved enough to take the win which was a good way to end a muddy weekend.

Pearce cycles race series Rd 1 – Bringewood

Words by Andy Woodvine

Bringewood was the first race of 2008 for me and my first race as part of the Leisure Lakes race team. It was good to get back racing after the winter and it’s also an exciting time to see what the early season pace is like. I went into the race fairly confident after putting in a solid amount of winter training and Bringewood is a venue I’ve always enjoyed.

Conditions for the weekend were near perfect, with the track riding really fast, there was a tricky new middle section which slowly became harder all weekend as the roots where becoming more exposed. On the first run I just tried to put in a good solid ride and I managed to keep it neat and tidy all the way down and was in first place with a 1.35 which was a time I was fairly happy with. On the second run I could see I would probably need to improve if I was to hang onto the lead as the field was pretty close behind. I had a generally had a good ride could have hit some lines slightly faster, but on the whole couldn’t complain, I went 3 seconds quicker posting a 1.32 but it was not enough and put me back to second place behind James Conneron who did an awesome run posting a 1.28 I think it would have placed him second overall in the experts.All in all great weekend and start preparing for the next race which is the first round of the Cearsws Cup.

Congratulations goes out to Chris Whitfield as he takes a convincing win at round 2 of the Alpine Bikes winter series at innerleithen.

 Chris says, “It’s always nice to get the first race under the belt, and find out how fast you are riding. I loved the track and am really getting on with the V10, so just well happy to take the win.”

Also team rider and Chris’s brother, Jed Whittfield rode his SantaCruz into 4th place in the expert categry, so all in all a great start to the season for the Whittfield brothers.

We are proud to inform you that Leisure Lakes Bikes are putting themselves back on the UK race scene with there all new team line up.
The team will consist of: -

Jed Whitfield – Expert
Andrew Woodvine – Senior
Chris Whitfield – Master
Mark Weightman – Master

We will be focusing on the NPS and Dragon races, but expect to see the team at the masters worlds and other European events such as Maxxis cups.

With an even mix of experience and new talent, the team will be a force to reckon with. We will be receiving support from Hope, Race Face, Fox Racing Shox, Persist Components and Santa Cruz. All of which are supplying us with great components and kit to take us into the 2008 season.

Sandy Plenty,  LeisureLakesBikes team manager Says: -
 “ I’m excited about running the new team, I am working with some awesome brands and talented riders, with this mix I’m confident we will be able to obtain many podiums this coming season.”

Chris Whitfield, team rider says: -
“I’m really excited to be supported by leisure lakes and to be riding with some new team members this year, it looks like everyone will be riding V10s this year and I don’t think any one is going to be disappointed -awesome bike’s! I would just like to say a big thanks to Sandy Plenty from LeisureLakes for getting this team on the road.”

Andy Woodvine, team rider says: -
“It’s so cool to be joining the Leisure Lakes race team for 2008, having the race support and backing of such a team is going to be a big boost for me all year.On top of this the team is going to be riding the awesome new Santa Cruz V10, which look’s amazing and I can’t wait to start racing on it”

And finally - LeisureLakesBikes would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved.