Max motors at Leighton! 2024 Motul National XC Championship Round 1 – Report & Results

The 2024 season opened for Edge Offroad as they returned to the stunning Leighton Hall venue in Lancashire on Sunday for round 1 of the Motul National Cross Country Championship.

Report by Edge Offroad – Images courtesy of John Lupton

We were lucky enough to miss any snow the previous week; unfortunately, we got the rain Friday afternoon, which made for tricky riding at the Play Day on Saturday. Yet, for Saturday and Sunday, we were blessed with glorious sunshine!

Thanks to the Saturday riders, they managed to clear some of the slippy grass from the parkland track, but it was still tricky for the kids that were out first thing on the Sunday. They all rode their socks off, and all rode mega, with Connor Watson winning the Youth A with a 5-minute lead. Youth B went to Jacob Bragg, who’d had a great battle with Dexter Hind all race, while Sky Simpson Jones took the Youth Girls win – slogging her guts out on the gruelling course. In the Junior class, newcomer Charles Hamer very proudly took the win. Well done to all the kids; they always get it the hardest, never moan, and get on with it!

The turn of the adults followed! Mr Humphreys put it on the limiter off the start line for his first-ever outing at this venue, which was incredibly brave for the Leighton conditions. Max Ditchfield had a bit of a collision with his brother off the start and ended up head-first into the mud, starting him dead last! These 3 had a great battle for the duration, with Max taking the top spot, followed by Gethin (Humphreys) and then Jack (Ditchfield).

All classes had great support. Ryan Ireland grabbed the holeshot, but it was Ethan Phillips on his debut in the Expert class who took an outstanding first Expert win. The Masters class was also eventful, with the race leader Jimmy Phillips snapping his chain on the last lap, having to be towed back and going down as a DNF – giving the win to Karl Greenall, who rarely rides Cross Country events, but with it being his home round, how could he not? He rode his socks off for a very well-deserved victory! In the Clubman class, Paddy Rosney got his season off to a flying start by taking a very impressive win on his first race on his new steed!

The Youth AM win went to Leo Child, who’s only been competitively riding for a year or so! Fair play! Kristina Brinkworth had her first race in the adults, taking a very impressive win from Alyse Jones; these girls had a great ride! The Sportsman class win went to Alfie Marsden, who is returning after a season out of the sport. Let’s hope he keeps up the winning ways!

The Over 50 class winner was Mark Raynor, who was in his element in the tough, muddy and slippy conditions – that’s what a championship is all about, a good mix of everything, but Mark really does prefer these winter conditions! Guy Jarvis got his season off to a flying start, staying on his bike for the full duration and taking a well-deserved win! As a newcomer to Edge, Josh Bradley enjoyed his first visit with a win; what more could he ask for?

Well done, riders; thank you for supporting the first round at a once-a-year venue! You don’t get much better than Leighton Hall.

The next event on the calendar is the first round of the new 2024 ACU British Cross Country Championship, with classes for everyone – and even Electric races to be included! All details on the website www.edgeoffroad.events

Results