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Rugby Velo kicked off it’s golden jubilee year with the annual cyclo-cross promotion which was held for the third year running on Borough Hill, Daventry. Borough Hill was once the home of the BBC as it broadcast to the world but today played host to the 10th round of the West Midlands Cyclo-cross League. With the National Championships being held in Sutton Coldfield the next weekend the fixture proved a popular event as riders put the finishing touches to their preparation and this was aided further by the sun which shone throughout.

The first race of the day was the Women’s Cycle Racing Association Championship. Race favorite and National Champion Isla Rowntree (Stourbridge CC) was making no mistakes on the hard frosty ground as she led from the gun. Behind her was the fight for 2nd between Nikki Harris (Pearce Cycles RT) and Sue Carter (Power Bar). Despite her efforts Carter couldn’t make any inroads on Harris and on the final lap the elastic snapped literally, Carter’s chain broke leaving her with a long run to the finish. Carter had to settle for 5th as on the run home she was passed first by Viv Cox (Cyclo-cross.com) and then by Gabby Day (VC Lincoln).

The youth (U16's) race followed and produced some of the closest racing of the whole day. Winning for the third year in succession, quite a feat for a U16, Ian Stannard (Team Keyne Trek) set a blistering pace that none could match. In 2nd place, Jack Hibberd (Halesowen CC) had to see off an early challenge by William Goulbourne (Bromsgrove Oly), who in turn just managed cling on to 3rd place in the lunge for the line with Harry Penn (Lichfield City CC). First girl was Sophie Day (VC Lincoln).

There was no shortage of determination in the U12's race and with grins as wide as their handlebars no shortage of fun either. Winner was Daniel Mc Lay (Leicester ORC), 2nd Craig Talbot (Bromsgrove Oly) and 3rd Stuart Clayton (Lichfield City CC). The promoting club were represented by Oliver Garrett 6th and brother James 9th and first U10. First girl was Leanne Talbot (Bromsgrove Oly).

The main race of the day had attracted a large field of nearly 80 competitors which provided a fantastic spectacle as they thundered away from the start. Setting the pace was Coventry’s Darren Atkins (Peugeot MI Racing), showing the form which has already netted him the Midland Championship this season. Last year’s victor, Daniel Booth (James Hay RT) was hot on his heels but as the race progressed the gap widened and Atkins went on to take the chequered flag and first prize, sponsored by Penmans Solicitors, nearly 2 minutes clear of Booth.

Plowing a lone furrow in 3rd place, a further minute down, was junior rider Adam Gascoigne (Team Kona), whilst behind him a race long battle ensued for 4th between Andy Key (Ashfield RC) and Mark Leyland (Horwich CC), with Key just having the reserves to put 5 seconds into Leyland on the line. First veteran rider home in 10th place overall was Nigel Hay (De Monfort Rage On). The Rugby Velo team was led home by Phil Hughes 9th, followed by Dave Overton 19th, Pete Mooney 22nd and 1st over 50, Daniel Johnson 39th, Kevin Mackenzie 54th and Francis Thompson 55th.

Rugby Velo would like to thank Daventry Countryside Services for all their help, English Heritage for their permission to use Borough Hill and Penmans Solicitors for their sponsorship.

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© British Cycling 2002/2003