Race Report – Round 4 – Shipley – Heanor Clarion

This week saw the SRAM NDCXL descend on Shipley Park for Round 4 of the league, courtesy of Heanor Clarion. The course was fast and exceptionally dry, courtesy of the continued unseasonal weather, but with the addition of hurdles for those riders looking for more of a technical challenge.

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Pic Courtesy Lucy Kong

Last week’s winner Graham Briggs (JTL Condor) once again pushed the pace hard at the start, taking with him a number of riders keen to hold the pace. Lap one saw Nick Barnes (Hargroves RT), Sleaford Wheeler George Thompson and Clee Cycles’ Arthur Green aiming to stick with the JLT rider, but this was relatively short lived. Briggs’ consistency and pace saw him shed the chasers as the race went on, with Madison Genesis rider Thomas Stewart repeating his performance of last week to ride through to second from a slightly slower start. Nick Barnes took third spot roughly a minute behind Briggs.

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Pic courtesy Finn Mansfield

The Junior Men’s race was won by Josh Waters (Sherwood Pines SRAM), ahead of Nottingham Clarion’s Kieren Howart and Bailey Wilmot (Derby Mercury)

The Women’s race was lit up by early battles between Junior rider Madeleine Gammons (Sherwood Pines SRAM) and Veteran Maddi Smith (Bolsover & District CC), with Smith initially setting the pace. Gammons ultimately proved the stronger of the two riders however, finishing nearly a minute ahead at the finish. Third overall and second vet was Empella’s Tracey Fletcher.

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Pic courtesy Finn Mansfield

First Senior Woman was Elisa McDonagh of Team WNT, ahead of second and third seniors Sarah Gell (Drighlington BC) and Fossa Racing’s Sarah Naylor

In the Veterans race, Zepnat’s Jim Bryan made his intentions clear almost from the start, gapping his rivals early on, and staying away for the whole race to finish 40 seconds ahead of Retrobike’s Geoffrey Beetham. Bryan’s Zepnat team mate Dan Alexander took third.

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Pic Courtesy Lucy Kong

The Vet50 race saw Team Jewson’s Peter Busby build an early gap at the front, which despite his best efforts, Pedal Power’s Mick Davies simply couldn’t close,leaving him to take second. Leicestershire Road Club’s Nigel Gregory took third place.

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Pic Courtesy Lucy Kong

The Junior races saw even closer fought action, with the Girls U16 being no exception. Only seconds separated the top three riders for most of the race. In the end, Fossa Racing’s Ellie Smith pulled away from her chasers, Leicestershire Road Club’s April Tacey and Xan Crees (Derby Mercury), on the last lap to claim victory

The U14 Girls saw early battles between team mates Sarah Briggs and Amelie Wayte, with Briggs ultimately winning out to take the victory. Fossa Racing’s Libby Smith took third.

In the U16 Boys saw Nottingham Clarion’s Tom Dussek set out his winning intentions early on, despite Leicestershire Road Club’s Alex Haines looking to stay with Dussek early on. In the end Haines had to settle for third, with Nottingham Clarion’s Elliot Bannister riding strongly into second.

The U14 Boys race was won by Alec Gregory (Leicestershire Road Club), ahead of Emile Alexander (Lichfield City CC) and Clifton CC’s Finlay Pickering.

The U12 Girls saw the win taken by Jessica Tiffney (Derby Mercury), ahead of Grace Fishleigh (Bolsover & District CC) and Matlocks’ Annabel Parker.

In the Boys U12, Christopher Hilbert (Pines Cycles Felt Enve) claimed the winning glory, with Matlock’s Sam Gould and Tom Scott (Sheffield Stars) in second and third.

The U9 races saw Jude DuToit (Newark CC) and Redditch’s Lauren Oldfield win the Boys and Girls races respectively.