CHICKEN RUN ENDURO – PREVIEW

FiR WELSH OPEN SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP ENDURO

ROUND 3 PREVIEW, SAINTSWELL, MID-WALES

REPORT: Chris CZORA

The third round of the Factory Image Racing sponsored Welsh Open Sprint Championship gets underway on Sunday as the series moves to Saintswell in Mid-Wales for the ‘Chicken Run’

A popular venue on the Welsh enduro scene, the test includes a series of technical woodland and fast grassland sections to test the riders’ skill, and as one of the test venues for the Enduro GP of Wales later this season, will offer something of a sneak peek to what the venue will offer. It’s certainly a great venue to watch some enduro action, with the Sprint closed-circuit format being an easy one for spectators to follow.

As the name implies, the ‘Chicken Run’ also includes difficult technical sections on the test, which allow riders to seriously cut time if they’re skilful or brave enough to tackle them, but the risk of losing serious time if they get it wrong!  

After two rounds of the series, the Elite Championship is closely fought, as Jack Edmondson leads Jed Etchells by just three points, with local star Alex Walton firmly in the mix on 26 points and Harry Edmondosn just a little further behind on 22 points.

The Expert class sees the former youth motocross star Reece Jones going unbeaten so far, with 40 points over the two rounds from Josh Lawer on 30 points, whilst Alfie Heard, Will Barnett and Kit Szabo round out the leading positions.

Albie O’Connell is another unbeaten rider after two rounds as he leads the Clubman class from George Ward, and Alfie Crealock-Lovell close behind, whilst only two points covering Sean Grosvenor, Mitch Conway, Lewis George, Jake Tansley and Ryan Jones. All looking very closely fought going into the Saintswell round!

The Ladies’ class remains just as close, international stars Rosie Rowett and Nieve Holmes are tied for the lead on 37 points, whilst further back some of the local aces including Zoe Zembruski, Chrissie Harcourt and Emma Joy Pitcher are all tied for the final podium space on 24 points.

Super Vets sees Will Keenan go into the round unbeaten from Jamie Paget and Chris Milliar, whilst the Vets class has Richard Penhaligon holding a five point lead from Tim Saunders, who in turn is just one point ahead of James Drinkwater.

The Youth categories see George Sheldon looking to maintain his unbeaten record in the Under 19 class, although Gruff Morgan is not too far behind along with Ben Allen, whilst Aaron and Harry Jones dispute the Under 16 championship class.

Action starts from 9am, with tests running throughout the day. Saintswell is located from the A483 Newtown-Llandrindod Wells road, near the village of Bwlch-y-Sarnau. Follow postcode LD1 6PT to access the venue.