Interviews this week: Tracey Fletcher on winning the World Championship; Tom Dussek on his close battle with Lee Shunburne; Craig Preece on para-cyclocross and Invictus golds.
Round 9 of the SRAM NDCXL saw a return to the most challenging of courses at Bakewell, promoted by Matlock CC. Testing the riders ability in every form possible, this was set to be an exciting days racing for the riders and of course the traditional slippy turns and downhills making it all the more pleasing for spectators.
Midday saw the youth races away and some exciting battles forming. After a strong start in the u16 race, Alec Gregory from Leicestershire RC and Lichfield City CC rider Marcus Holmes broke away and were matching each other as they upped the pace. Gregory making the decisive attack on the last lap which sealed the victory with Holmes in second. Third place went to Louis Evans from Lyme RC who outsprinted Finn Mansfield (MI Racing Academy) who was the first ‘league’ rider and secured the NDCXL season league win in the process.
A display for excellent form saw a 1-2 for the MI Racing Academy boys in the u14’s. Josh Giddings and Jack Brough dominated their competitors pulling away early on. However, no one was able to match the eventual race winner, Josh Giddings, who even took third place overall. Second place went to Brough and a strong showing from Joseph Kininmonth of Derby Mercury RC took third.
First place in the U16F race went to Amo Wayte (Team Empella) as she lead right from gun, none of her competitors able to match her. Second place went to Matlock CC rider Sarah Briggs (still wearing her Christmas fancy dress) and third place went to Ella Rascal from Heanor Clarion CC.
Lotta Mansfield from the MI racing academy looked unstoppable after a very fast opening lap however she was unable to capitalise on this as the race progressed and eventually had to settle for second to Lizzy Edge from Nottm Clarion in the U14G race in an impressive return to cyclocross. Cycle Derby CC’s
Lucy Buckley rounded off the podium.
In the V40 mens race Dan Alexander from Zepnat and Fossa Racing’s Matt Crouch opened up a small gap on the rest of of the field, Jason Marriott from the Army Cycling Race Team in pursuit accompanied by Rich Edge from Nottm Clarion. As the race progressed the early early pace was too hot for Crouch allowing Alexander to pull away. Eventually Alexander would take the win, Crouch second and Marriott able to unship Edge to take third.
Tim Gould from Zepnat RT put all his rivals firmly in the hurt locker today. With no one able to match Gould, he pulled away from the rest of the field, smashing his way to the win in the V50 category and second place overall. Second place went to Nigel Gregory from Leicestershire RC and third place went to Chris Rowe (Zepnat).
The final race of the day was the seniors mens race and it was an epic for sure. The course had deteriorated significantly as spectators waited with the desire of great race and with a camera! The whistle went and a rapid start from Matthew Marriott of the Army cycling Race Team lead across the line with many riders is close attention. As the race progressed Marriott faded however took the first place in the u23 race as a conciliation. Overall it was a flying Cameron Orr (SF racing) who overtook the entire senior field for a comfortable win despite being a Junior with a delayed start. Eventually, it was Zepnat rider Alexander Forrseter (visiting from his south coast home) who took the senior men win with a convincing gap over the rest of the riders, who seemed to be grinning for the entire race! Fossa Racing’s Lee Shunburne had a race-long battle with 2nd Junior Tom Dussek (Nottm Clarion) including some very close racing and a hairy moment when both pitted at the same time and Dussek overtook on the pit entry. The close racing continued right to the line with touching of shoulders as Dussek squeezed through into the last corner to take the sprint to the line. Hear Tom’s thoughts in this week’s interviews.
David Earth (Steve Poole Plant Hire / Raleigh) and James Swadling from Notts Clarion CC took third in the senior and junior fields respectively.
The women race saw a hard fought battle between Joanne Clay (TORQ Performance) and Maddi Smith (B&DCC). In the end it was Clay who came out on top and Smith of settled for second (first vet) and Xan Crees took third place for Team Empella and first junior female.
A fantastic days racing and an excellent event as ever hosted by Matlock CC. Have a great New Year and see you all in a few weeks for some muddy fun at Broxtowe Country Park.
Report Sam Marriot
U9s and U12s reports
Under 9’s
A tight ,twisty and increasingly muddy course greeted the under 9’s who opened the the show at Bakewell. The league leader Jacob steed (Bolsover and District CC) was quickly in to his stride leading out the first lap as usual with his teammate George Cooper hot on his heels in second. The mud and turns were claiming many victims and as the leaders caught the back markers on lap 3 Jacob opted for the direct approach over the hurdles rather than fight the masses on the bypass. This brave decision seemed to backfire as George took the initiative riding through, over and around the crowds to take the lead which he extended with each lap, coming home with 18 seconds ahead of Jacob. Daniel ward (Mercia cc) rode a solid race to finish in 3rd trading blows with Dillon Preece (Bolsover and District CC) throughout until an unfortunate mechanical ( Broken Rear Mech) saw Dillon running the last 2 laps!
Good work Lads
Edie Bott (4Life Triathlon Club) rode superbly in the conditions to take a deserved victory in the girls race coming in 9th overall, she was followed by Lottie Lissaman (Newark Castle CC) in 2nd place16th overall and Eleanor Gordon (Matlock CC) in 3rd place 18th overall.
There were few tears, lots of smiles and some very muddy children at the the end of a ‘proper cross’ experience.
Under 12’s
48 riders was a great number at this age category for a post Christmas blast and the action didn’t disappoint . A short, muddy, technical course which included the hurdles from the under 9’s course (without the ‘bypass’ option) and a ‘circle of doom’ at the far end which was bound to test their cross skills!
Derby Mercury RC rider George Amor-Hughes lead the race from start to finish which after 10 incident filled and chaotic laps was no mean feat. Passing was treacherous and George had to use his head to get through the traffic and stay upright. Luke Kininmonth also of Derby Mercury RC held a firm 2nd place to around the 5th lap before being taken by a charging Zak Machin (Mercia CC). The order remained unchanged to see George taking the win with Zak in 2nd and Luke in 3rd.
Flo Lissaman (Newark Castle CC) took the win in the girls race finishing a fantastic 4th overall! Her usual sparring partner Harriet Limb (Matlock CC) dropped her chain on the first lap and after struggling with the instructions from the crowd and her muddy gloves finally rejoined the race to finish in 2nd place 12th overall with her teammate Grace Longden in 3rd place 18th overall.
Dominic Limb