Leader Scores 3rd As Title Race Tightens At Worlaby

Ian Round returned to the top step last Sunday at Worlaby for Round 6 of the 2017 British Gravity Bike Championships, tightening the 2017 title fight and leaving just 2 points between the top 3 riders going into the season finale at Harewood next month. The IR Rat Racing rider smashed the 4 year old lap record at Worlaby and taking victory by 0.78 seconds ahead of Mark 'Mave' Davis, with Josh Van Den Bos taking 3rd, though are non point scorers.

Fantastic weather and excellent track conditions allowed for incredible racing and scorching pace at the North Lincolnshire venue. Davis, Van Den Bos and Greaves set an early pace on their respected machines, but the rest of the field soon quickly caught up and the race began to heat up. Zack Leader found himself languishing down the field after struggling early on with bike issues. After Race 2, he sat in 7th place with a time that would have got him the win at the track in 2016, a real representation of the unbelievable pace the riders were setting, despite Leader having his best friends support at the track.

Debutant to gravity bike racing, International Road Racer Joe Thompson, showed incredible early pace and found himself mixing with the leading pack early on, setting blistering sub-minute runs. Stef Cree also showed good pace on his debut to the venue and found himself locked in battle with Thompson.

Two fallers and eight sub-minute runs later, Ian Round for IR Rat Racing had prevailed and won on his home track. Justin Greaves finished 4th overall but takes points for 2nd in the championship class, an impressive performance on his home road, especially after his debut victory in BGBC last weekend at Priors Marston. He showed fast and consistent pace all day. His efforts now put him joint top of the championship with Zack Leader going into the final race of the year.

Ian Round

An eleventh hour and hurculeant effort from Zack Leader landed the 18-year-old Kirton in Lindsey kid in 5th place overall, and 3rd in the championship class. A lucky escape despite his Worlaby gremlins which leaves him on top with Justin Greaves and 2 points ahead of other title rival, Ian Round, heading into the BGBC 2017 finale at Harewood next month, a track that may favour the determinated teenager.

Justin Greaves

Stefan Cree on the Delta Cruz Racing machine came out on top in the battle with Joe Thompson by just 0.19 seconds. The Leamington Spa rider finished 6th overall but 4th in the championship class, virtually securing him 4th in this years championships. An incredible effort in his rookie season for Cree. Joe Thompson took 7th overall and 5th in the championship class on his debut to the sport, riding for the Zack Leader's Gridline Ellison Gearbolt Racing team, and puts him into 9th in the main championship, and up to 3rd in the Evo Cup class. A sensational performance from the the UK's most up and coming International motorcycle road racer.

Stef Cree

The 2017 British Gravity Bike Championships conclude at Harewood Hill Climb on Sunday 20th August 2017. Which one of the three title fighters will be crowned the 2017 British Champion? Just 2 point separate them!

Joe Thompson