Wessex Cyclocross League

Graham Robins

Wessex Cyclocross League Rounds 2 to 5

Plenty of action in the Wessex League over the last few weeks; here’s a round-up…

Round2 Sunday 14th September 2014

Ben Sumner (Beeline Cycles) made it two from two in the Wessex League comfortably winning the latest round at the Oxford Spire Academy in Cowley. The nearest rider to Ben was Paul Lloyd (Rides on Air) with Crispin Doyle (Hargroves Cycles) taking the third step on the podium after winning the earlier combined vets race.

The course at the academy had a verity of terrain for the riders to navigate their way around. There was a very technical wooded section, two large football fields and two leg killing climbs. The course remained dry and very fast as we continue to enjoy the late summer weather.

After the usual early scrimmages Sumner had a lead of over 20secs over Luke Gray (Trek Cross Collective), Phil Pearce (Banjo Cycles) and Matt Hargroves (Hargroves Cycles). Picking his way through the field was Crispin Doyle and Lloyd.

These five riders continued to set the pace at the front stretching away on each lap. Pearce was the first to have a problem when he dropped his chain and lost several places before he got going again. Doyle was now inside the top four as he got past Gray but he was 20secs back.

After just half the race done Sumner held a lead of 1min 24secs over Lloyd, with Doyle third at 2mins 38secs. The positions did not change too much until the very last lap when Pearce had got past Gray and was closing down quickly on Doyle. And as they entered to twisty section on the playing fields Doyle held the lead going into the last turn and managed to hold Pearce off.

The combined vets, junior and women race was again split into two separate races at the start to allow the large entry room to negotiate the early sections on the course without getting in each other’s way. Dave McMullen (Cotswold Veldrijden) led away the over 60’s group and soon he had a clear lead. When the second group started Crispin Doyle (Hargroves Cycles) headed the over 40’s up the bank and into the wooded section. Once clear Doyle quickly started to pick of the older back markers and it wasn’t too long before he caught and passed McMullen.

Tamina Oliver (Endura Lady Force) was running right at the front of the women’s race, in fact on the first lap she was seemingly keeping pace with McMullen. Behind Tamina was Emily Wadsworth (Beeline Cycles) and Claire Smith (Cotswold Veldrijden) and Sarah Barber (NHRC).

Also riding up at the front riding for his new team was Christopher Rothwell (Ride 24/7), and he in turn was he was well clear of second place Tom Sewell (Cotswold Veldrijden) and Buauna Ball (Zappi’s).

Result

Seniors
1st Ben Sumner Beeline Cycles
2nd Paul Lloyd Rides on Air @1min 44secs
3rd Crispin Doyle Hargroves Cycles @2min 38secs
4th Phil Pearce Banjo Cycles @2mins 39secs
5th Luke Gray Trek Cross Collective @2mins 46secs
6th Jamie Norfolk Pedal On
7th Matt Hargroves Hargroves Cycles
8th James Cotty I-Ride
9th Mick Guildford VC Meudon
10th Danny Bell Ellmore Factory Racing
Vets
1st Crispin Doyle Hargroves Cycles
2nd Dave McMullen Cotswold Veldrijden
3rd Christopher Rothwell Ride 24/7
4th Graham Rogerson Army Cycling Union
5th Phillip Odell South Down Velo
Women
1st Tamina Oliver Endura Lady Force
2nd Emily Wadsworth Beeline Cycles
3rd Claire Smith Cotswold Veldrijden
4th Sarah Barber NHRC
Round 3 Saturday 20th September 2014

Richard Lewis (CC Basingstoke) led from start to finish on his way to a win at the first ever Wessex Cyclo Cross race to be held on the Isle of Wight. From the whistle Richard eased away from Tony Parker (NHRC) gaining a few seconds on each lap until he had the race under control and then kept a steady rhythm as the laps ticked down.

Riders, friends and family travelled across to the Medina Leisure Centre just outside of Newport in the heart of the Island. After the early morning mist cleared the sun came out and the temperature rose quickly leading to a hot and humid set of races.

Richard and Tony were quickest away leading through the open field and into the technical wooded sections, up a set of steps and back out into the open fields. There was also a bank and ditch to negotiate on each lap.
Continued overleaf…