MOUNTAIN bikers from across the region geared up for the fourth and final round in the Simba Mountain Bike Winter Race Series.

It marked a return to racing at Dalby Forest, near Pickering, after the third round was staged at Broxa Forest, near Scarborough.

Ripon Boneshakers' Gary Beckwith was guaranteed first place in the junior 16-18 years category of the winter series after claiming his third first-placed finish in a row at Broxa.

But the 18-year-old underlined his dominance at Dalby with another first place to make it four from four.

York Cycleworks' Steve Butterfield, 16, claimed his second runners-up spot of the series to for second overall.

Likewise, in the ladies' open category, for women aged 19 and over, Stokesley's Anne-Marie Home, 29, claimed yet another first place to make it four successive wins.

Hot on her heels yet again was York's Debbie Goodall, who claimed her fourth successive second place to confirm her position as runner-up over all.

Also celebrating a clean-sweep of first places was eight-year-old Lauren Cooper, from Scarborough, who rode to glory for a fourth successive time to win the girls' under-12 category, and Danny Hart, from Redcar, who too made it four from four in the boys' under-12 section.

In the senior open 19-29 years category, York's Andrew Windburn finished in fourth place on the day but his seven points ensured third overall.

Jason Nowell, from Guisburn, finished just ahead of Windburn at Dalby in third place, which was enough for him to lift the series title in a competitive category.

The youth's under-16 title was won by Burnley's James Moss, 15, who made it three wins from three at Dalby.

In the fun section, Harrogate's James Shepherd made it two wins from two rides but it was not enough to claim the overall title from York's Steve Wood who, although he did not achieve a first-place in the series, rode consistently throughout.

Harrogate's Joe Hughes finished third on the day and third overall, while Ivan Milner, from York, claimed second place at Dalby and fourth place in the final rankings.

In the veteran 50 years and over category, Helperby's Donald Graham was denied a fourth successive win by Scarborough's John Fairbank, but his hat-trick of wins in the previous three rounds proved enough for him to claim the overall title.

Event organisers Steve Imeson and Sue Burton are now taking entries for the XC mtb summer series, to be staged in Dalby Forest, over six days.

The race dates are May 19, June 2, July 7, august 4, September 1 and October 13.

Four challenge events have also been planned for the summer, including a single-track event on June 1, a hill-climb challenge on July 6, an endurance challenge on August 18 and duathlon race on September 22.

For further details, write to Simba Mountain Bike Race, 48 Lilac Avenue, York YO10 3AT, or telephone 01904 426918 or 07718 108460.

Details can also be found on Simba website at www.simbaevents.co.uk

Updated: 12:19 Tuesday, April 16, 2002