Report Ken O'Brien

 

Pics Garry Dowzall

 

The institution known as  Oxford Ixion Trials club presented the James Cup cup trial at what some would describe as the ultimate South Midland Centre venue ' The Lower Riding ' with its long wooded climbs.

This event included a round of the SMC Expert champs with three laps of Nine Double-Subs to take in.

Chris Koch took the honours and achieved a club record six wins the first being in 1998.

The weather was kind and the sun was bright as 84 riders set off.

This was a tough downhill hazard with fallen trees and roots to cover before the assent over similar terrain,Koch who in his advancing years as an Expert made it look easy.

There were twenty odd runners on the Hard route today and other notable rides were that of John Cowley (first won this event in 1984) who rode the Ultra-Slick cambers of section thirteen with a loss of only five after three laps and that of Steve Bird who excelled on section Twelve ripping to the summit in 4th gear on every visit.

The popular standard route was headed home by Rob Faulkner piloting the 250 Scorpa around for a loss of one Rob cleaning the stony Climbs of Tim Norwoods section 3/4 on all visits.

Sam Cherry aced the Novice class on nine and included three smart cleans on section 9/10 a really tricky rooted climb with an awkward drop to the river and a very loose muddy climb to the ends cards way up on the track.

The Blue eased route was as ever well supported and Local Electrical contracter Ron Walters had a near faultless ride losing one mark on section eleven a new sub with roots and cambers.

Observers were out in force today and many thanks to all for a good days sport.