TWO wins in two races has given Phil Smithson a clear lead in the British Enduro Championship.

The Clitheroe rider overcame the effects of a viral infection to take a well-earned victory on round two of the series, the Swansea-based ISCA.

"I had been ill for a week beforehand, and really didn't feel like doing the event," said Phil, who works as an engineer at Michelin in Burnley.

"But after winning the first round, I wanted to give it a go. Now I'm pleased I made the effort."

The 250 competitors faced a gruelling 120 miles in Brechfa Forest, South Wales, with the competition split into four laps, with special and cross-country tests incorporated into each lap.

"I wasn't feeling up to scratch because of the effects of the virus. I was okay on the technical sections, but it was hard going on the cross country parts," he said. "Riding in ruts and gullies mean you spend a lot of the time wrestling with the bike, which saps the strength in your stomach and arms.

"I decided to try to give it 100 per cent on the technical bits, then just took it steady everywhere else to conserve my energy."

The strategy paid off for Smithson when his championship rival John Deacon crashed out, leaving the way clear for the Husaberg rider to take maximum points.

A four-month gap before round three means a long summer break for most British competitors - apart from Smithson.

Currently lying ninth overall, he faces a gruelling eight weeks on the World Enduro stage with races in France, Italy, Sweden and Finland.

"We compete in France next week before heading straight to Italy, he added.

"Then we're home for a week to re-prepare the bike, before going to Scandinavia for the two toughest events in the World calendar."

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