Bradshaw victorious again at Northamptonshire's Wild and Woolly
Thousands packed in to watch the race at Arm Farm in Blisworth on Boxing Day to see the 35-year-old, now resident in East Hunsbury, take the honours.
Five-time winner Jack Lee (32) of Higham Ferrers harried him all the way, the two ultra-smooth riders skilfully avoiding the worst of the mud that had other riders bogged down in frustration.
The lead swapped time after time.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut Bradshaw, who has won the event every time he has entered, proved that he is now king of this old fashioned mudbath scramble that tests rider
stamina and machine preparation to the limit.
Third was 21-year-old Joe Tobutt from Milton Malsor, now living in Stratford-on-Avon.
He was the only rider to match the number of laps put in by the two leaders (21).
His neat riding style marked him out as a potential future winner of this event, the world’s oldest continuously run scramble. The Northampton Motor Cyclists Club keeps the tradition going.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFourth was the most successful rider in the history of the event, Ryan Griffiths, who has won ten times.
A stunt rider and car mechanic from Oundle, Griffiths put in 20 laps.
Fellow stunt rider Ashley Rilings (23) from East Hunsbury finished fifth, while his mother Hayley, also a stunt rider, finished 26th.
She is the only female rider to have competed in the event, first tackling this mudlark in 1988.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWhile there is no prize money involved, Jonathan Lee finished £400 better off after a private wager with his step-brother Chas Lee.
Jonathan finished seventh and Chas ninth, the Lee family dominating the event.
The youngest rider taking part was 15-year-old Chris Bailey who finished 31st.
He was the last finisher. Nineteen riders were classed as non-finishers.
The first of three mud holes caused riders most problems.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSeveral machines were all but completely submerged when riders fell off.
To drain mud out of air filters and airboxes many rider turned their machines upside down, in the hope of getting them running again, mostly in
vain.