The weekend seen the 10th Anniversary running of the Dawn to Dusk endurance race at Walter's Arena in South Wales, with an exceptional entry of nearly 1,000 riders across a variety of races ranging from 24hrs to 6hr Ironman and 2 to 3 person teams.
Front Row GB produced a group of riders competing across the event with Stan Watt taking on the 24hr Ironman event on his Edmondson Racing KTM350XC, Tim Forman and Carl Jones competing in the 12hr race on a pair of Edmondson Racing KTM250XCs and last but not least Garin Rosser and Keaton Allen on a pair of Edmondson Racing KTM250XC-Fs in the 6hr race.
Saturday was for setup and preparation for the start of the 24hr race at 7pm, with around 90 minutes of daylight before each rider was plunged into 10hrs of darkness on a 1/2 distance lap of 9 miles.
Carl, competed in the Sprint Challenge shoot-out throughout Saturday afternoon coming away with the forst of 3 victories over the weekend.
Stan set off well in 2nd position but a loose light fitting diagnosed on the first lap, dropped him momentarily back to 3rd as it was tightened up by the crew. Patrick Coady from Ireland had set a fast initial pace, pushing out into the lead and as darkness fell was not going to let up through the night.
A solid ride by the first two riders through the night seen them emerge into daylight hours well ahead of the rest by 8 laps and on eventual corrected laps, 4 minutes apart, with Stan missing out on a shortened night lap by 90 seconds, which unfortunately would mean he needed to make back a full 35 minute lap in daylight hours.
Patrick Coady, incorporated intelligent tactics ensuring he kept Stan well in his sights where only a mechanical failure would spoil his win. By the finish, Stan was still a part lap down with Patrick completing a total of 49 laps and Stan 48 to finsh second.
At 7am on the Sunday morning Carl set off in the 12hr pairing setting a blistering pace to immediately hit the front, which wouldn't change for the next 12hrs.
The expert class pair did not slow for the duration setting fastest lap after fastest lap, swapping rider every two laps. This tactic paid off with Tim and Carl keeping momentum and by the 2nd changeover were a full lap and 9 minutes ahead of their nearest rivals.
By the 6hr mark, they had extended their lead by over 2 laps (60mins) and maintaining a fast pace, by the end of 12hrs had over 4 full laps in hand to take a substantial and impressive victory for Front Row GB.
1pm would see the final pairing from Front Row GB start the 6hrs enduro with all 3 riders on course completing the 24hr, 12hr and 6hrs together. Garin Rosser set off from the Le Mans start hitting the front and as per the 12hr team, this would not change until the finish line at 7pm.
The same rider routine was implemented and again, the younger and less experienced riders proved they could maintain control over the rest of their competitors and by the 3hr mark, were over a full lap ahead and continuing to push the pace to ensure a much deserved victory.
Keaton Allen, kept the relentless pace with no concession for their rivals and by the end of the 6hrs and completion of the 12hr and 24hr, the pair had taken a convincing win by over 2 full laps.
The final 3 riders on course, Carl, Garin and Stan completed the final lap together to cross the line as a team and to take the majority of honours from the event.
Many thanks to everyone who helped, as it would have all been a lot more difficult without you! ;
Ivan, Mark, Kane, Dai, Layton, Graham, The Wright Family, The Jones Family, The Rosser Contingent, The Forman Group, the Watts and everyone who popped n to show support. (apologies if we missed anyone, not intentional)
Front Row GB would also like to thank;
Edmondson Racing
Talon Engineering
Pro-Printing
Adventure Spec
Voltcom Group
Mini Marquees
Crescent KTM
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