14th Cheddar Challenge - NE

Cheddar, England, October 5-6

Day 1 - October 5: Mini Cheddars, Enduro, Cheddar Crunch, Time trial
Day 2 - October 6: Cross-country

Day 2 - October 6: Cross-country

Liam Killeen Wins UK's Classic XC - The Cheddar Challenge

By Martin "Liam's manager" Whiteley

The Cheddar Challenge is the longest running Cross Country event in the UK, now in it's 14th year, and attracts the best in the country for the end of season festival, and this year Liam Killeen (Subaru-Gary Fisher) took away top honors.

The race was relatively short for Liam at 1hr 35mins, over 5 laps of the famous course, and Liam was relatively unchallenged from midway through the second lap where he left fellow British National team-mate from the 2002 Worlds in Kaprun, Zak Toogood, in has wake on the way to a three minute winning margin.

The course consisted of the main climb which lasted about 8mins, it then traversed across an open quarry site before descending back to the arena in front of the large crowd, on great twisty single-track with some short sharp climbs into the start finish.

"The course was in top racing condition, really dry and fast producing 19min laps. I rode really consistent lap times and just kept the pace steady. I'm really happy to have won today as it sets me up perfectly for the Roc d'Azur this weekend in France," said Liam shortly after crossing the line.

Results

Senior men
 
1 Liam Killeeen (Subaru-Gary Fisher)             1.35.00
2 Zak Toogood                                       3.00