Race Report – Round 5 – Bingham– VC Nottingham

Round 5 of the SRAM NDCXL travelled to Bingham this weekend, courtesy of organising club VC Nottingham. Although the lack of recent rain meant another dry race, the course was perhaps the most technical of the season to date, with the organisers making full use of the grass banking at the venue to create a multitude of off-camber challenges for riders.

The Senior Men’s race saw Sleaford Wheeler George Thompson lead riders through the cambers on the first lap, with Pines Cycle’s Dave Fletcher on his wheel. By lap two, Fletcher had pulled away from Thompson, who found himself back amongst the chasers, with Pedal Power’s Paul Cox taking over second position. As the laps went on Fletcher never looked in doubt for the win, and Cox looked as though he may well hold on to second, but within the last two laps George Thompson had a resurgence that saw him fight his way back into second place. Cox eventually slipped back to fifth place, with his team mate Adam Gascoigne claiming third.

Fletcher commented on social media afterwards – “Nice to take the win in today’s NDCXL at Bingham – Good prep for next weekend’s National Trophy!”

The front of the Women’s race saw much less close racing action than the Men’s, with Bolsover & District CCs Maddi Smith stamping her authority on the race from the start. After the first short lap she already had 20 seconds on her rivals, and her chasers never managed to get any closer than this. Although Empella team mates Kate George and Tracey Fletcher had a close battle for the first couple of laps, they soon split apart by a gap of 10 seconds, which George held to the finish to take second.

Pedal Power’s Julie Elder and Velosure’s Sian Botteley took second and third Senior behind George, with Marianne Heffron (Zepnat) claiming third Veteran.