Race Report - April 2009 - Hannington

Team Can-Am Off To Flying Start At Hannington

Sunday the 26th of April saw Team Can-Am travel to Hannington, near Basingstoke, for the opening round of the 2009 QRA ACU British Quad Cross Country Championship.  With a five-rider team line up for 2009 competing at different class levels in the championship on board the all-new DS450Xmx, the challenging five mile circuit meticulously crafted by Tony Nash and the hard working QRA crew would be a true test of ability and endurance for rider and machine, and after an energy sapping three hours racing Team Can-Am’s 2009 season had gotten off to a solid start with some outstanding results despite difficulties on the day, Beverley Barnes putting in a fantastic display to take 3rd overall in the Club Class, with Chris Cooper, Shaun Gunther and Iain Johnston taking 5th, 14th and 19th respectively in the Pro Class.

Photos courtesy of Pete Cobbe

Beverley Barnes

Competing in the Club Class for the second year having finished 4th in 2008, Beverley was keen to get the season off to a good start in her first year on the Can-Am DS450Xmx.  A first corner pile up on the opening lap saw Beverley drop to 15th as she waited for the carnage to clear, but quickly settling down as she negotiated her way steadily through the many wooded areas around the challenging circuit, Beverley gradually worked her way through the pack to finish a fantastic 3rd in class, Beverley finishing ahead of many of the Expert riders and first female competitor across the finish line.  “It’s been a really good start to the year and I’m really happy with how things have gone.  There are a lot of wooded areas and the circuit was really challenging, so I just maintained a consistent pace that I felt comfortable with and was able to work my way up through the field.  The Team Can-Am DS450Xmx is a fantastic bike and I had no problems throughout the race, so with more time to get to grips with the bike I’m confident that I can improve on my results as the year progresses.”

Photos courtesy of Pete Cobbe

Chris Cooper

The first of four riders in the Pro Class, the three-times Cotswold Enduro and two-times British Under 21 champion was keen to improve on his 15th position in the 2008 series.  A poor start saw Chris left with a lot of work to do to make his way up through the pack, but using the excellent handling of the DS450Xmx Chris had made his way up to 4th with half the three hour race run before dropping back to 7th after getting stuck behind three riders jammed in the bomb-hole section, Chris charging to the chequered flag and reducing a one minute deficit to under ten seconds for a well deserved 5th.  Chris commented after the race, “It’s been a good day overall and I’m happy to have come away with 5th.  I didn’t get away at the start from the second row so most of the riders were around the first corner in front of me, and with a lot of wooded areas I did struggle in the early stages to find my rhythm and move my way through.  It was annoying to have dropped back to 7th after working my way up to 4th, but it was one of those areas where I had committed to my line and when I found it blocked I had to wait until it cleared.  I’m really happy with the way the bike is working, and with my speed and fitness I am feeling confident that I can achieve some top three finishes in the very near future.”

Photos courtesy of Pete Cobbe

Shaun Gunther

Making his British debut, thirty-one year old South African Shaun Gunther put in a stunning performance despite suffering from severe stomach cramps in the last thirty minutes of the race.  A decent start from the second row saw Shaun complete the opening lap in 15th, before beginning to move through the field as time wore on, Shaun showing the skills that have helped him win South African Off Road Championships in 2003 and 2007 to fight through to 10th at the two-hour mark, Shaun valiantly riding in severe discomfort in the closing stages for a superb 14th.  “I don’t know exactly what caused the cramps in the last half hour of the race but the pain was really bad, I was off my original pace by almost five minutes a lap and it was all I could do to continue. It would have been nice to have finished in the top ten, but given that I’ve not ridden this length of race for a long time and the problem I had near the end, it has been a great result and I’m stoked to have come away with 14th.  The Team Can-Am DS450Xmx worked really well and I know that there is more to come from both of us, so the outlook for the rest of the year is really good.”

Photos courtesy of Pete Cobbe

Iain Johnston

Getting superb drive off the line and charging through from the second row to round the first corner in the top six, Iain headed out on the opening lap in excellent position only to see his good work negated in the first woods section, Iain getting tangled up with another rider after being clipped from behind.  Slowly getting underway and resuming a good pace as he fought his way up the leaderboard, Iain’s progress was halted just after the one-hour mark, Iain taking a nasty tumble close to the pits area of the circuit and needing medical attention.  Taking time to regain his composure while getting trackside attention, Iain heroically remounted his bike in the latter stages determined to finish, the affable Kiwi crossing the line in a respectable 19th.  A battered and bruised Iain commented afterwards, “Today hasn’t gone exactly to plan but given that I haven’t been on a bike in over eighteen months I’m really happy with the speed I was showing.  I got an awesome start, the DS450Xmx fired up first time and pulled really strongly off the line, and after getting tangled up in the opening lap I was finding good pace and lines but then it went all wrong.  I was able to get back on the bike near the end and finish the race, and after a precautionary trip to the hospital I’ve been given the all clear so I’m looking forward to the next round where I’ll be aiming for a top ten finish.”

Photos courtesy of Pete Cobbe

Justin Reid

Travelling from his base in Comber after competing in an Ulster Championship meeting the previous day, the multi-British and Ulster Champion was keen to show that he was as capable in the woods as on the MX track.  A poor start from the outside of the front row saw Justin head out on the opening lap just inside the top twenty, Justin, working his way through the field in the early laps, was forced to make an unscheduled stop after damaging the valve stem on his wheel and getting a flat.  Quickly getting underway again and getting back up to pace, Justin began to fight his way through the pack and up the leader board but to no avail, mechanical gremlins striking and forcing Justin to retire from the remainder of the race.  Clearly disappointed at having to retire, Justin commented, “ That was really good fun while it lasted! Tony has set up a really enjoyable track here and deserves full credit for his efforts – the beautiful weather was a welcome addition too. I’ve learnt a lot here today and I’m looking forward to the next round where we will be much better set up – a podium finish is well within our reach.”

Best Regards,
Justin Reid