Racing news: 30.04.09 Written on April 30, 2009, by matt.
Amazing 4th win for fell-legend Rob Jebb at classic fell race, Ricky Lightfoot chases him home for a Saab Salomon 1-2, Ben Bardsley grinds it out at Grisedale
Business as usual for Rob at Three Peaks Race
After last year’s sojourn to international status normal business was resumed at the Three Peaks race on Saturday. Normal in terms of the winner too, as former three-times victor Rob Jebb once again crossed the line first at Horton, with a comfortable margin over Saab Salomon new-man Ricky Lightfoot
With only legend Jeff Norman left ahead on 6 race wins, Jebby – who has won the Three Peaks cyclo-cross race a record seven times – must surely have the Three Peaks fell race record tally in his sights too.
Up Pen-y-Ghent the only company Rob had was in the form of neo-vet and course record holder, Andy Peace – and he was 18 seconds back. By Ribblehead the lead was over a minute to Ricky Lightfoot, as Peace had dropped back.
From that point on Rob extended his margin over Whernside to Hill Inn so that by Ingleborough the lead was at four minutes. Ricky and a fast-finishing Karl Grey cut this back a tad coming into the finish at Horton, but were unable to get near to multi-fell champion.
Ricky was more than happy with his day’s efforts at the finish, “The race went better than expected for me, I wanted to run under 3hrs but I’ve been injured and having had six week off running I wasn’t sure.”
“I set off steady and had a few yards on Jebby and Andy Peace, as I knew they would pass me on the climb up to Pen Y Ghent, from there on I went from third and kept second all the way. The hardest bit for me was the final descent off Ingleborough, but at that point it was just getting to the finish and maintaining second place, overall I was very happy with it!”
“Oh, I’ll be back next year to beat you Rob!”
Ben Bardsley wins the Grind in record time
In beautiful evening sunshine and a stiff breeze on the tops, long-time Saab Salomon athlete Ben Bardsley won the grueling 3m Grisedale Grind last Wednesday – a race to the top of Grisedale Pike (1560ft) and back.
With dry conditions underfoot and the steep climbing involved a forte of Ben’s, fast times were anticipated, He duly obliged and lowered fellow SS athlete Ricky Lightfoot’s 2007 record by 16 seconds.
The season continues…
The Saab Salomon Outdoor Team of athletes are seemingly dominant at the moment with Rob Jebb, Ben Bardsley, Anna Frost, Tom Owens, Andy Symonds, Nick Swinburn, Robbie Simpson, Ricky Lightfoot, John Heneghan, Nick Sharp and Rob Hope all having registered big wins at home and in Europe this year. Natalie White still battles with her knee problem, but will aim to come back strong in the second part of the year, and with Angela Mudge currently in Nepal her return will no doubt yeald many wins as the season develops.
Focus for many will turn to Stuc a’ Chroin this weekend, for round 2 of the British Fell Championship. Moving into May and June the team will begin their raids into Europe for the World Mountain Grand Prix and Sky Running series.
The team wishes to thank its sponsors for their continued support. Salomon for the world’s best off-road running products, SAAB for the best cars to carry the best kit, ZipVit for keeping the team hydrated and fuelled and Suunto for helping the guys and girls time, measure and navigate their way to continued success!
