Gravity Project Honey Series: Round Two - Rogate

Spring in the UK is now fully fledged, bringing with it longer days but also the start of the Domestic DH series. However, if you live in the South of England, Easter Sunday meant not just chocolate eggs, but also the second round of theGravity Project Honey Series atRogate in West Sussex.

Ever popular with the Southern contingent of riders, this round was just as busy as the last



The Honey Series is a round of grassroots races held in and around the Hampshire Hillside run by the Gravity Project. After a successful first round of racing at Hollycombe in March, next up was the sandy and loamy hillside atRogate Bike Parkon Coombe Hill. With no 'official practice' the day before and the park closing early for track taping on Saturday, all were eager to see what track changes had been made since last year's round. The result was starting out on 'Grand Prix', a flat out sprint into an off camber compression and a tight switchback, before heading down towards the fireroad, crossing onto 'Mainline' and then more off piste across to finish on 'Double D' (the dual track).


Early morning track walk

To ensure locals didnt get too much of an advantage a lot of fresh corners had been taped out, leaving plenty of loose dirt to keep things interesting. This became gradually more blown out as the day went on, revealing a whole host of roots waiting to catch racers out. After a morning of practice for riders to get their lines dialled, the sun was peaking out for the riders out to set the first race times of the day.


The Juvenile Category getting underway


Diving down across some roots after the opening sprint

It quickly became clear that much of the action would take place at the drop on 'Mainline', where a long off camber left hander had been taped off. This gave riders the dilemma of trying to stay tight and hop over the rooty compression at the end of the corner, or try and stay low and risk washing out in the deep (increasingly loose) outside of the corner.




Most of the spectators gathered around the action at the off camber left hander


After the drop, it was into the loose dirt

Not the only rider to get caught out during racing

After a total of 170 riders made their way down, it was time to head back up to the top for racers second chance at beating the clock. The loose nature of the corners meant the the track had changed a fair bit for second runs, with new lines and roots being exposed leaving racers with the dilemma of sticking with what they knew, or risking a new line to gain a few extra seconds.



Crank Cycles were out helping riders with their mechanicals, while bellies were satisfied and energy levels up byBowtell'sbetween race runs. After second runs we had the winners, all receiving their well earned jar of honey after a competitive days racing. Local Surrey Hills/World Cup Hero, Brendog also made an appearance to hand out some Scott prizes.

Women

1.Anna Glowinski (Team Mulebar Girl/Sigma Sport) - 1:06.67
2.Francie Arthur - 1:09.21
3.Nicola Spiers (Gosport BMX Club) - 1:14.58

Hardtail

1.Matt Collins (Team Mitchell Cycles) - 57.48
2.Dean Louden - 1:02.53
3.Scott Fitzgerald - 1:02.66

Ripper

1.Travis Diwell Wilson (Gosport BMX Club) - 1:10.27
2.Robby Johnstone - 1:24.05
3.Max Spiers (UK Bike Store) - 1:24.66

Juvenile

1.Luke Williamson - 1.01.02
2.Jeremy Coe - 1:04.06
3.Sion Margrave (Team Darenth) - 1:04.87

Youth

1.Ollie Hamilton Fox - 58.49
2.Matthew McGovern - 58.81
3.Easey William - 58.43

Junior

1.Josh Corbett - 56.45
2.Matt Newington - 1:00.17
3.Jack Jenkins - 1.00.38

Senior

1.Brandon Love (Biketart - BTR) - 53.23
2.Zac Blackwell (Specialized UK) - 53.83
3.Darren Evans - 54.26

Master

1.Liam Saint - 55.06
2.Lee Hillier (Team Porc) - 57.14
3.Friedrich Fismer - 57.43

Vet/Grand Vet

1.Richard Gilbert (Gravity Project) - 59.05
2.Graham Goodyear (Gravity Project) - 59.24
3.Kristian Friday - 1:00.06

All in all a great days racing down in the South of England, bring on the World Cup in France next week! For full results check out the Gravity Project'swebsite. Big thanks to Simon Piley for the use of his images.

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