Our cyclocross racers have kicked off the new season with three races already done in both the Central and Wessex leagues. As ever, the club has been well represented and we have had two sunny weekends sandwiching one very wet and cold one just to keep things interesting.
GS turnout has been particularly high in the V40 races with Paul Elcock, Matt Hayden and Nick Beech riding strongly in the top 20 placings in the Wessex League, with Nick also active in the Central League. A special mention also for Nick Parris (24th) and Martin Cairns (36th) who performed excellently in their first races of the season on Sunday in Reading: it was Nick’s first ever ‘cross race and Martin did especially well after getting stuck behind slower riders on his first lap.
Chis Miles, Chris Saunders and Richard Stephens have also been active in the V40 Wessex League. Adam Gardner meanwhile has been focussing on the Central League, a frustrating DNF on Sunday following a far more enjoyable race on the 2014 World Cup course in Milton Keynes the previous week. Sticking with the veterans, Nick Roux has been riding well in both Central and Wessex races in the V50 category. Finally, Lydia Brookes and Luke Woolfson have been competing in the senior women’s and men’s races; a 4th place at the first round in Newbury for Lydia was followed by a 6th place the following weekend in tough and slippery conditions at Basingstoke and after having competed in the Central League event the previous day.
Courses are running fast this year and will likely do so for at least the next few weeks as any wetter weather gets absorbed into the ground. This makes for good racing but also an easier learning curve for anyone thinking about giving cyclocross a go. It’s a very friendly and welcoming sport and all of us are only happy to offer helpful advice; like don’t neck a bottle of cheap red wine the night before the famously tough Reading round for example.
Next races:
MK Bowl, October 6th (Central)
Oxford Standlake, October 7th (Wessex)
Droxford, October 14th (Wessex)
Bedfont Lakes, Twickenham, October 14th (Central)
