Wessex Series Cyclocross Report
Ben Gladwyn - Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:46:57 |
Didcot Phoenix take top honours at local venue.
Steve Jones, Wed 17th Jan 2007
The Final Round of the Wessex Series was at one time cancelled but I managed to bring together a good team of helpers together to get it back on from RATMBC, RCC and AW Cycles race team who also sponsored the event and provided all the prizes. Unfortunately for me I didn't get to race as I was the only one able to operate the computerised lap scoring. It was some consolation to watch the races though and hear all the positive comments afterwards. This was also the very last event in Hammonds Wood at Checkendon as many of you will have heard various rumours about us losing the course. This is not quite true as we have only lost the use of one piece of woodland which unfortunately is the best bit. We still have Park Wood so we can do more short course mtb races and maybe another cross race but sadly no more NPS and Southern XC for the time being at least. Steve Bale of supporting club Reading CC who was 17th has written the following race reports, he rated the event as the best of the season and commented "The course at Checkendon was comparatively dry compared to recent rounds meaning lovely riding conditions. The course started on a long, slippery stretch around some fields before heading into woodland where we were to encounter fast sweeping bends as well as technical tight corners."
Seniors
Riders were rewarded with an excellent day's race in bright and dry conditions. A strong turnout from Hargroves Cycles ensured that five of the top ten placings went to that team. However, local rider Paul Lloyd of Didcot Phoenix added another victory to his palmares with a strong performance. Lloyd was over a minute clear of second placed Mike Warner at the finish. Third place went to Sean Williams of Offshore Sports.
Vets
In the Veteran's category Billy Girvan was rewarded with a win thanks to his persistence in the cross season and this time overhauled Malcolm Cross of Hargrove Cycles and Mark Cracknell of race sponsor AW Cycles who placed second and third respectively in the over-forties category. Girvan was ninth overall in the Senior race.
Juniors & Women
Tom Butt (DH Cyclesport) was the only Junior and took top spot, he started well and was up in the top 10 for the first few laps. The long race seemed to take its toll and he slowed a little but then dropped 3 minutes on lap 7. We think he punctured as he is was off the bike in the pictures, he still finished a credible 18th in the Senior event. Claire Hall of Swindon RC was also the only rider in the ladies category, she was 35th overall only 2 laps down on Lloyd.
Youth
The youth race was run over the full distance of the senior course and a real test for the young riders. Tom Robbins of Didcot Phoenix quickly set to work to build a good lead on Rob Yeatman of Oxonian CC. Robbins did well not to be complacent as disaster struck in the form of a puncture on the third lap. He was forced to run over half a lap to the pits where he had a spare bike. The lost time meant that Yeatman was now hot on his heels with just seconds separating them as they crossed the line for the final lap. Robbins was visibly tiring while Yeatman had all to race for and dug deeper. Despite the final lap being his fastest, Yeatman couldn't catch Robbins who took a thoroughly hard-earned home victory on a course he knows very well. Under 14 Charlie White of Solent Race Team finished third and fourth was Lauren Barber of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers, the first girl.
U12
In the Under 12 event Harvey Lowe of Chapel Tri wrapped up his season with another win. His consistent ride saw him take victory from team mate Leon Mander by a very healthy 1 lap margin. Mander had to fight for his second place though with Robin Gronbech of Oxford City RC pushing him all the way to the line. Further down the field George Bates of Palmer Park Velo had got off to a good start but threw his chain half way through the first lap losing 2 places while the chain was put back on. He finished fourth, also one lap down on the leader. Emily Foster of Andover Wheelers was fifth after being forced to change bikes having suffered a puncture, while the youngest competitor, Edward Gronbech of Oxford City RC, came home in sixth. Harvey Lowe deserves a special mention as he has had a season that any rider would be rightly proud of. He has raced in every Wessex League event this season and been victorious each time.
Photos are thanks to Dennis Sackett, you can see the rest of his pictures at www.dgs-photography.co.uk or www.cyclingphotos.org.uk
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Cyclocross results
Ben Gladwyn - Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:37:47 |
The results for the RATz/Reading CC/AW Cycles cyclocross race at Checkendon on Sunday 14th Jan are now available here.
Youth results also now posted here.
Photos of the action can be seen at www.cyclingphotos.org.uk. |
Wessex League round 14 now at Checkendon on 14th January (plus directions)
Steve Jones - Fri Dec 15, 2006 17:12:36 |
RATMBC & AWCycles have teamed up to bring you the 14th and final round of the Wessex Cyclo Cross League on 14th January. This round was originally being promoted by Reading Cycling Club which I have been a 2nd claim member for many years. They have been having problmes with finding organisers after the top man had to step down due to illness in the family. With no venue booked for this event the simplest option was to run it at Checkendon. This may well be the last event in Hammonds Wood (hopefully only for a couple of years) as our current agreement with the land owner terminates at the end of January. We still have the flat Park Wood course which is suitable for our short course Rampage evening races in the summer or maybe future cross races if this one goes well.
So for what could be the last race ever in Hammonds come along on Sunday 14th January. Entry is available on the day and mountainbikes are welcome, I will even offer a prize for first mountainbike in each category to encourage you.
Name Starts Fee
Under 12s 11:30 Free
Youth 12:00 ?3.00 (?3.00)
S/J/V 13:15 ?9.00 (?9.00)
Directions to Club Course at Checkendon:
From M4
M4 Jcn 12 take A4 towards Newbury at 2nd roundabout turn right onto A340 to Pangbourne. At mini roundabout in Pangbourne turn right and then left at next mini roundabout onto B471 towards Woodcote. Cross river (20p toll) and head North up hill. At top of hill keep straight on over staggered cross roads at Crays Pond stay on B471 to jcn with A4074. Cross main road A4074 into Rushmoor Lane opposite, entrance to event is 1st gate on left which will be directly in front of you.
Heavy vehicles or those wanting to avoid Whitchurch Toll bridge should use Jcn 11 M4 and follow signs for Reading town centre on A33. Then follow signs for A4074 for Oxford. After 7-8 miles entrance is on right opposite jcn with B4074 (2nd Woodcote tuning)
From M40
M40 Jcn 6 take B4009 towards Wallingford, at T jcn turn right staying on B4009 to Benson. At A4074 turn left towards Reading for approx 6 miles, at top of long hill entrance to event is on left in Rushmoor Lane opposite jcn with B4074 to Woodcote.
From A34
Take Didcot exit onto A4130 and follow ring road towards Wallingford and Reading, after crossing river turn right at roundabout onto A4074 towards Reading. After approx 4 miles at top of long hill entrance to event is on left in Rushmoor Lane opposite jcn with B4074 to Woodcote.
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Palmer Park Velo Off Road Championship 29th Oct at Checkendon
Steve Jones - Wed Oct 25, 2006 12:03:32 |
Palmer Park Velo have their annual Off Road Championship at the Ratz course this Sunday 29th October.
This is organised by PPV Coach Shane Benson (shanecbenson@tiscali.co.uk) and has been held at the Ratz course for several years now. Ratz Club members under 16yrs are welcome to turn up to race and join in the fun as we let them use the course for free. Parents are encouraged to spectate and cheer the riders on. Please note Ratz members will not be eligible for awards unless you join PPV club of course.
Meet in the club car park on Sunday the 29th Oct, event runs from 12:00 till about 15:00. |
