Shadowlands – All To Play For

The fast approaching Duergar Run is the final round of the 6 race Shadowlands Winter Trail Series that started back on 27th December and culminates tomorrow night on the hills above Rothbury.  Let’s take a quick look at each of the categories and see what is still to play for at the pointy end of the series standings.

FEMALE OVERALL

You’d be hard pressed to be against Rachel Malthouse taking the title as she has won all five previous races and has a 114 point lead over Emma Leigh in second.  Interestingly any of the top six women are in contention for a podium spot and all of them are on the start list.

FV40

Emma Leigh has already taken the title and is sitting on a metaphorical beach somewhere sipping a pina colada.  Likewise Helen Carl is safe and secure in second place.  Claire Fairbairn, sister of Rachel Malthouse, has done very well in the races she’s made it to and with her name on the list then it will be a tough ask for either Deborah Lee or Jane Pugh to bridge the gap.

FV50

This is the category that was wide open until last week when both Melanie Annable and Helena Gribben took the opportunity to place themselves in very good positions.  Neither of those two are on the start line at the Duergar but Helen Heaney in third is.  If Helen manages to make it back as first FV50 then she’s tie for the title with Melanie.

FV60

Carol Cervenak has stood alone in this category for a while and she looks set to be joined as she’s not at the Duergar but two others in the category are in Julie Cornell and Julie Tennant.

MALE OVERALL

The battle looks set to continue with Andrew Armin and Graham Malthouse trading blows in each race.  Crucially Graham missed a round so not only can Andrew ease off but Graham will do very well to bridge the gap to Andrew Dancer in second who has been an ever present.  Gavin Francis, Karl Smith, Benjamin Sandall and Joseph Robson are all still in with a sniff of the podium.

MV40

Andrew Dancer has taken maximum points in the MV40 category at every single race which gives him 650 points and a 96 point lead on Gavin Francis in second.  Andrew can afford not to red line it and likewise Gavin can’t be caught by Scott Dewhurst in third.  Simeon Griggs and Ross Robertson can theoretically challenge but only Ross’s name is on the start list for tomorrow.

MV50

Spencer Booth has ran away with the category win by getting to four races in a row and then easing off by not going to Lonesome last week.  Jonathan Gaskell looks good to clinch second but third is all to play for as Stewart Mcconnell, Stu Milburn and Mark Breeze not attending and loeaves third place open for the likes of Stephen Ball and Kieran Conway.

MV60

Category leader Tony Brown opened the door slightly last week by not getting to Lonesome and allowing Derek Esson to get within striking distance.  Derek however would need to clinch top MV60 spot AND need Tony not to finish at all so in all likelihood Tony just needs to get round to clinch it.  Keep an eye on Stephen Cowell and Russell Pilling who look set to make late moves.

MV70

Martin Riall has grabbed the series title and has no challengers tomorrow to threaten him.  Well done Martin!