AW Jenkinson man wins the double

Following the success of the inaugural Forest Products Challenge in 2009, the second Challenge recently returned to the Oneplanet mountain biking centre at Coed Llandegla Forest, near Wrexham.

Twenty-one teams comprising 84 riders from the British forestry and forest products sector entered the challenging mountain biking event which was sponsored by AW Jenkinson Forest Products and UPM Tilhill.

The team prize was won by the four-man Forestry Commission Wales Rangers team, comprising Carl Denham (3rd), Patrick Green (18th), Andy Braund (19th) and Arran Cartwright (32nd), who received the UK Forest Products Association Trophy. Runners-up were the UPM Tilhill No.2 Team of Rik Odendal, Paul Lowe, Steve Bradley and Hamish Parkinson. The Forestry Commission Scotland team of Andy Wardman, Chris Ross, Bill Fisher and Gibb Wallace finished in third place.

The prizes for the fastest individual time (2 hours, 49 seconds) and the fastest lap (57 minutes 44 seconds) were awarded to Simon Bullock of AW Jenkinson Forest Products, whose double achievement was very impressive. Mr Bullock received a prize from Oneplanet/UPM Tilhill and the AHS Trophy, with a £250 prize for the charity of his choice – the Cumbria Air Ambulance.

The prize for the best turn out team, sponsored by Clifford Jones Timber Ltd, was won by the BSW/Howie A-Team of Neil Glendinning, Andy Rogers, Scott Shiells and Dave Burd, who sported eye-catching outfits in their company colours.

Planning is now under way for next year’s event which will be held in the Lake District.