Wessex Cyclocross League Round 10

Graham Robins

Wessex Cyclocross League Round 10 Sunday 16th November 2014

Matt Macdonald (Hargroves Cycles) took the senior win at a wet and muddy Fleming Park in Eastleigh after an early tussle with Dan Guest (Performance Cycles) after he had a stick stuck in his rear wheel losing him time. Matt then had the chance to build up a lead and control the race from the front, able to pick the fastest safest lines through the bends as they slowly cut up towards the end of the race.

After early morning rain the disused golf course in the centre of town soon cut up and first to tackle it were the under 12’s who had a small course within the main one to challenge them. It included a small wooded section and a log which had to tackle twice within a short distance. The large combined Vet / junior/ Women race was next up as 120 riders soon tore round the course making the off camber descents tricky with several riders coming to grief.
 

 

The senior race was the last up and the uphill start made for some tricky decisions as how to start on the slippery surface. James Cotty had the best idea deciding to run the first few meters before mounting his bike and this was the right choice as he soon in the lead as the group sped around the course on the opening lap.
 
After the initial run out Macdonald and Guest started to open out a lead followed by Jamie Norfolk (PedalOn) and Richard Lewis (CC Basingstoke) with them up the front were Sam Allen (VC Nantes Atlantique) and Joe Hickerton (CC Charlotteville). The two leaders pulled clear with a gap approaching 30secs over Norfolk, Allen and now Chris Minter (PedalOn) was up there challenging for a podium place.
 
The third lap saw Guest have his problem which set him back 30secs, although he was clear of the battle for third. The pit crews were kept busy for those with two bikes as they were changing them every half lap.
 
At the half way point Macdonald held a 30secs lead over Guest with Norfolk and Minter locked together a further 30secs down, and these two were followed by Allen who was just over a minute down on the lead. The race order remained the same to the bell and onto the flag with Macdonald taking a clear win from Guest. Norfolk had just a little too much for team mate Minter two finish out the top three.
 
The combined Vet/ junior / Women’s race had a large entry as usual and once away there were riders spread over the entire course. Sean Williams (Cotswold Veldrijden) soon pulled clear along with Tim Hyde (GS Henley) and these two soon pulled a gap of 30secs over junior rider Tom Sewell (Cotswold Veldrijden) and William Macdonald (Take 3 Tri).
 
Graham Rogerson (Cotswold Veldrijden) looked like he was making hard work of the course as slithered round and nearly coming to grief several times. The +50 vet leader Tim Costello (GS Vecchi) was soon picking off his younger rivals on way to winning this category and Tamina Oliver (Cotswold Veldrijden) was leading the women’s race.
 
As the two leaders approached the finish still locked together Hyde slipped down the inside of Williams to get to the final bend first where upon entry he was first to pedal away and take the win by 5secs on the line.
 
Provisional Results
 
Seniors
1st Matt Macdonald Hargroves Cycles
2nd Dan Guest Performance Cycles
3rd Jamie Norfolk PedalOn
4th Chris Minter PedalOn
5th Sam Allen VC Nantes Atlantique
6th Joe Hickerton CC Charlotteville
7th Karl Norfolk PedalOn
8th Richard Lewis CC Basingstoke
9th Chris Atkins Specialized
10th James Cotty I-Ride.co.uk
 
Vet 40
1st Tim Hyde GS Henley
2nd Sean Williams Cotswold Veldrijden
3rd William Macdonald Take 3 Tri
4th Graham Rogerson Cotswold Veldrijden
5th Phil Bowley Alton CC
 
Vet +50
1st Tim Costello VC Vecchi
2nd Martyn Dymond Cotswold Veldrijden
3rd Andrew Roberts Cotswold Veldrijden
 
Women
1st Tamina Oliver Cotswold Veldrijden
 
Wessex Cyclcross League
 
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