Stunning Victory for Glen Bryant and Peter Smyth
Glen Bryant and Peter Smyth (as separate competitors) have tied for the victory in round five. They both recorded a time of 3 hours, 6 minutes, and 22 seconds, finishing 13 minutes ahead of the third-placed team of Kevin Brown and Damian Cook. Brown's podium is his first of the championship. Cook's third place is his best result since round six of the previous season.
The result moves Smyth into the lead of the championship by one point ahead of Andi James, the reigning champion. Sixth place for James only yielded him five points, the same amount as in round three, where he did not finish due to not visiting New Cross Gate in the correct manner.
Andrew Chilcraft and Rhys Jackson tied for fourth place, showing that Team Rhys have solved their route planning issues that affected their performance in round four.
Acting BERC Martin Hazel finished in seventh. It was his worst result of the season and dropped him down to fourth position in the championship.
Bryant, Smyth, Chilcraft, and James finished at Hampstead. Brown and Cook finished at Clapham North, and Hazel finished at West Kensington. Jackson did not state his finishing position.
The first set of stations that came out were as follows: Edgware Road (Bak) [START], Southwark, Royal Oak, Finsbury Park, Bermondsey, St. John's Wood, Ladbroke Grove, Canary Wharf, Caledonian Road, and Chalk Farm. Upon arrival at the last station in this list, the second list could be opened, containing as follows: Hampstead, West Kensington, Royal Oak, Warren Street, and Clapham North.
Smyth now stands a good chance of making up for the bitter disappointment of losing out to James in 2011/12 by one point. He now leads the championship. James is second, and only these two can win the championship.
However, James still stands as favourite to win the championship due to the scoring system. If James were to win round six, even if tied with Smyth, James would win the championship with 53 points to Smyth's 52. Smyth must finish in the top three to improve his points tally at all. If Smyth were to finish outside the top three James would only need a fifth place. If Smyth were to finish third, James would only need fourth. However, James would have to match Smyth if he finished second or first. If James beats Smyth to fifth or higher, James will win.
The result moves Smyth into the lead of the championship by one point ahead of Andi James, the reigning champion. Sixth place for James only yielded him five points, the same amount as in round three, where he did not finish due to not visiting New Cross Gate in the correct manner.
Andrew Chilcraft and Rhys Jackson tied for fourth place, showing that Team Rhys have solved their route planning issues that affected their performance in round four.
Acting BERC Martin Hazel finished in seventh. It was his worst result of the season and dropped him down to fourth position in the championship.
Bryant, Smyth, Chilcraft, and James finished at Hampstead. Brown and Cook finished at Clapham North, and Hazel finished at West Kensington. Jackson did not state his finishing position.
The first set of stations that came out were as follows: Edgware Road (Bak) [START], Southwark, Royal Oak, Finsbury Park, Bermondsey, St. John's Wood, Ladbroke Grove, Canary Wharf, Caledonian Road, and Chalk Farm. Upon arrival at the last station in this list, the second list could be opened, containing as follows: Hampstead, West Kensington, Royal Oak, Warren Street, and Clapham North.
Smyth now stands a good chance of making up for the bitter disappointment of losing out to James in 2011/12 by one point. He now leads the championship. James is second, and only these two can win the championship.
However, James still stands as favourite to win the championship due to the scoring system. If James were to win round six, even if tied with Smyth, James would win the championship with 53 points to Smyth's 52. Smyth must finish in the top three to improve his points tally at all. If Smyth were to finish outside the top three James would only need a fifth place. If Smyth were to finish third, James would only need fourth. However, James would have to match Smyth if he finished second or first. If James beats Smyth to fifth or higher, James will win.