The third round of the Putoline XC Championship enjoyed excellent Easter weather at the Ashby de la Zouch venue as the series really hotted-up. Organised by Fasteddyracing.com the 7km course used only half of the course used by the GBXC events last year.

The ground was considerably drier and the course quite technical but it didn’t stop the Expert riders from top-gearing it along many of the straights.

With plenty of small but technical woodland diversions the course gave plenty of variety to riders and really suited all levels and abilities.

Before the main race of the day, the Youth riders used virtually the whole of the adult course and managed it with ease.

As the Experts blasted of and hit the first straight, Lewis Belfield had a horrendous crash as a pack of riders put the power down.

He eventually picked himself up and managed five laps before retiring.

Linc Brewster continued his good form and pulled out quite a lead but he didn’t count on Darren Carter, who dug deep and closed to within a couple of seconds of Brewster at the chequered flag, both on an incredible 16 laps. Young Joe Jones couldn’t quite match them and took a creditable third, a lap up on Anthony Dean and Nick Ames in fourth and fifth places.

The top three Expert Vets matched each other lap-for-lap. Wynn Hope just took the win from Dennis Harrison and Richard Main as Ryan Griffiths and Peter Clarke completed the top five.

Scotty Clifford had a great outing finishing sixth overall. He blitzed the Clubman class ahead of Steve Holcombe, both on 14 laps, as Richard Cookland took third ahead of Lee Hattersley and Gareth Delahay.

Michael Woon had a lap clear of Glenn Coltman in the Veterans class as Keith Patstone nailed a solid third place, closely followed by Simon Bastow and Tim Sabine.

Alec Trawford battled hard with Chris Pryce in the Sportsman class, the two were a lap clear of the rest of the class, and Trawford finally claimed victory with Pryce second and Steve Thornton third. Alex West and Kevin Byrne, in fourth and fifth, completed the top five line-up.

In the large Novice class, Dan Spencer put in 12 superb laps to take the class by a clear lap over second placed Kelvyn Hammer who had Darren Thorpe and Kieron Jordan breathing down his neck in third and fourth spots as John Gill took fifth.

Rhian George’s excellent ride in the Youth race saw her take the overall win from Jack Staines and Harland White, all three in the 85cc big wheel/ 150cc class. Callum McLean took fourth in class and Charlie Sclater fifth.

Jack Edmondson took fourth overall but won the 65cc class with ease, a lap up on second placed Ben Coleman. Brad Sullivan took third ahead of Ben Clarke and Harry Edmondson in fifth.

Tom James won the 125/250cc class on nine laps, a lap ahead of second placed Tom Sargents and Jordan Lines in third.

Only two riders in the 85cc small wheel class and Adam James came out on top ahead of Luke Wade.

The third round of the Putoline XC Championship wasn’t the biggest ever witnessed but it was quality through and through. The course was spot on and the racing excellent. Yet another success for the fasteddyracing team.