LAKELAND LANEQUEST 2009 SERIES OFF TO A FLYING START!!

A record entry of 160 riders, which was more than 30% up on last year, made event 1 of this years’ eagerly awaited Lakeland Lanequest Series an outstanding success. The organiser Phil Morgan had placed the controls around a well planned and picturesque area covering Natland, Heversham, Dallam Park and also including the Lyth Valley.

Competitors ranged from top local riders, to families and generation pairs, with many new to this type of event. They all enjoyed a good ride in beautiful evening sunshine around the undulating leafy lanes surrounding the event start from The Strickland Arms, Sizergh.

Last year’s overall series winner and Wheelbase (Series Sponsors) rider Mike Toyn produced a stunning ride, in the Men's Solo class, visiting all 30 controls to score maximum points, covering the optimum 32 plus mile route, and finished with 9 minutes to spare from the  2 hour time limit. Second place was shared by Antony Gill, Tom Everleigh and Henry Syska all with 290 points, closely followed by Andy Stubbs 288 points and Alan Goldsmith 285 points.
Anne Plant, last year’s Women’s Series Solo winner, and the reigning World Masters Women's Road Race Champion again demonstrated her class by scoring 270 points, for a clear outright win from joint second placed Lisa Whetter and Sue Woods 230 points, who narrowly beat Mary Ockenden with 228 points.

The Generation pairs class produced some impressive scores, Matt & Katie Woods 248 points led from Gary & Eve Dixon 240 points followed by Tom & Matthew Phillips 224 points and then Heather & George Milligan 216 points.
The Adult pairs class saw some close competition between, Andy & Sarah Crozier with 264 points in first place and second placed Jon Cox & Marc Walton 262 points, followed by David White & Chris Schofield 250 points, then 220 points for both  the teams of  Pete Tyson & Dave Thrower and also Katherine & Mike Poole & Simon Edgecombe, closely followed by Tony & Pauline Richardson with 218 points.

Phil Morgan the event organiser said I think that the huge turnout (160) was undoubtedly due to the Wheelbase effect, the Series Sponsors, as they had over 600 flyers taken from their Staveley shop prior to the event. Phil also had special thanks for all fantastic helpers who were able to cope so well with the increased numbers.

Full results and details of further events see www.mintcakemtb.co.uk and www.wheelbase.co.uk

Photograph below – Mike Toyn the winner of the first event, just about to start at The Strickland Arms