With staggering end of season form, Paul Byatt (Cyclone Cycles) won in the Expert category at the final round of the SAMS (Southern Area Mountain Bike Series). The course at Checkendon, nr Reading contained a number of tough anaerobic climbs, long sections of twisting single track and some flat open sections boardering fields. Paul got away from the rest of the pack with Warwick Spence (Bike Park) and together they opened a sizable gap on the rest of the field. Despite numerous attempts to break away by both riders it all came down to a sprint and Paul snatched it by a wheel. Paul now prepares for a full cyclocross season feeling robbed of races this year due to the foot and mouth epidemic.

TORQ tuned Steve Farmer (Scott UK) spent the first 3 laps of the Pro-Elite race up at the front with Phil Cooper. Again, these two riders were clearly ahead of the chasers, but then disaster struck for Steve as the back injury that has plagued him all season forced him to retire. This was his best ride of the year by far, proving that he’s got the pace to lead against some of the best riders in the country. Once the physio’s have put him back together, we’ll start on the winter training. Roll on 2002 that’s what I say!

Other solid performances by TORQ’s riders include:

Paul Whiteman 4th (Master)
Adam Thomson 6th (Youth)
Mike Baker 7th (Youth)
Phil Rayner 8th (Pro-Elite)
Mark Allen 11th (Expert)