National Trophy Series Round 2 | Chorley

Sunday, October 16, 2005; Cycling Development North West, Astley Park,
| Click here for the Overall Tables after round 2 | Report & Photos from Larry Hickmott

Crawforth and Thomas lead the way at Chorley

Riders in the Youth race start the climb as they begin their race.

The second round of the National Trophy Series saw the sun shining on the riders in Chorley (Lancashire) with some close fought races. On arrival, Ivor Armstrong's team ably assisted by Recycling's Charlie Jackson were putting the finishing touches on a course measuring two kilometres in length. Around the course were sections to suit everyone -- a fast long tarmac section, a long headwind section across the grass, some quite slow and slippery boggy sections, hurdles and of course a technical steep descent that was to catch a few riders out during the day.

In surprisingly mild conditions for the time of day and year, it was the Youth riders who first took to the tarmac for the start with series leader Alex Paton seemingly eager to get going. The VC Deal rider didn't waste any time dispensing with his rivals and he soon opened up a gap on his nearest challengers, winning by over a minute to consolidate his lead in the series.

With commissaire Colin Clews watching, the five chasers in the veteran race pursue Chris Young.

A group of six chasing Chris Young, pass through the finish area.

Next onto the course were the veterans, first the over 40's followed a little later by the over 50's. The riders wasted no time getting up to speed with Rugby Velo's Philip Roach getting away quickly whilst Chris Young (Team Marie Curie) took his time to get into his stride. Once he did, the main players in the racing formed a small group at the head of the race but were unable to stay with Young, and although he never opened up a huge gap, the chasers never got back into contention for the top spot.

Young made light work of the conditions and had plenty of time to raise his hands in victory at the end from a lone chaser, Richard Binks (Huddersfield). Behind, it was a sprint for third with Andy Barnard (VC Lincoln) taking the final podium place. Series leader Mick Bell (London Fire Brigade) was in 5th. Meanwhile, whilst the scrape was going on in the over 40's, it was a one man race in the over 50's as Roy Hunt (Science in Sport) rode away from the rest, steadily catching many of the over 40's as he did so to take a lone victory over a minute clear of second place getter John Galway (Keswick MTB).

Podium for the Junior race, (L-R) Stephen Adams (3rd, Sherwood CC), David Fletcher (1st, Newark Castle CC) and Tom Last (2nd, Matlock CC) on the podium with a VIP from the local council.

The next trophy event on the course was the Women & Junior events and in both, we were to see riders challenging the series leaders. The Junior event was the closest fought race of the day. The yellow jersey, Tom Last (Matlock CC) was not holding back and was seen constantly trying to get away with the pressure at the front seeing a small group form --David Fletcher (Newark Castle CC), Tom Last, Stephen Adams (Sherwood CC), Sam Webster (Triangle RT), Andrew Griffiths (Glendene CC) and Jonathan McEvoy (Kinesis).

The riders in the group were constantly testing each other, Andrew Griffiths (Glendene CC) quite prominent in leading the chase back to the leaders before then trying his luck off the front of the group as well. For a few laps as different riders tried their luck, the group would split, come back together and then split again but over the closing stages, the gaps started to open for good. In the sprint for first along the tarmac, a delighted David Fletcher was too quick for series leader Tom Last after both riders had gone clear in the closing stages of the race.

Along with a local VIP, on the podium are Louise Day (1st Veteran), Helen Wyman (2nd), Sue Thomas (1st), Nikki Harris (3rd) and Amy Thompson (1st Junior woman).

In the Elite Women, Series leader after round 1, Helen Wyman (Team Fat Birds UK) started quickly and soon had a gap on her rivals and it was looking like a second victory was on the cards for her. Sue Thomas (BC Private Member) however, came back at her in the second half of the race, not only catching Helen, but gradually pulling away from her to win the second round of the series.

Before the start, Sue had been playing down her chances due to a cold she caught after returning from Turkey where she has just won a Mountain Bike international. In the race though, once Sue was up to speed and in competition mode, nothing was going to stop her from a moral boosting victory over a talented rival. GB international on the track, Nikki Harris was third.

A smiling and pleased Sue Thomas after the presentation said "I'm on a roll! Last time (Cheltenham) was about pure speed and I felt a bit rusty with that to be honest. This one here suited me a bit more, a strength course with a few technical bits that were more like I ride in mountain bike cross country. I didn't feel too bad despite my cold. I didn't feel fantastic at the start but it was a bit better than last week. Then I managed to get past a few riders but I could see Helen had got away and I thought here we go again, same as last time."

"Then I started to pull her back, so I stuck my head down and got up to her. I realised with her having team mates in the race, I had to get away from her or I'd end up towing her around with me so I put in a bit of an effort and opened up a little gap. After that it was just a matter of getting stuck in and although I didn't feel wonderful, my strength showed through. It's easier to be leading the race than riding in second because you have the motivation of having the win within your grasp which drives you on. After having struggled so much over the last few years, it was a really nice feeling and on the last lap, I just enjoyed myself and took it all in."

Talking about future goals, Sue doesn't expect to be named in the Commonwealth Games team which is due to be released later this week, saying "I'm not to disappointed because I didn't expect they would be taking any female MTB riders. I think I left it a bit too late in the year to show my form and although its unfortunate, there are other things to go for."

Meanwhile Sue continues to hope that her winning streak gets a sponsor interested in backing her as she appears to be fast approaching the form of old. We wish her the best for that and look forward to seeing her again at the next round.

Series leader before Chorley, Helen Wyman: After a win on the very fast course at Cheltenham, Helen Wyman started well in round 2 but unlike Cheltenham, found her early lead was not enough to stop Thomas from coming back at her and eventually pulling away to leave Helen riding alone for second place. Helen however was far from downbeat afterwards saying she was happy with her ride and then adding, "I have had two weeks really hard training and this came at the end of that training. My focus is the European championships."

"I thought I might be able to hold on to her when she caught me and when I learned she was only three seconds behind, I slowed down thinking I could get on her wheel but in the end I was nailed. It was a real hard slog on the far corner of the circuit and several other boggy bits which were quite draining making it hard to recover. Sue is a good rider so its no shame to be beaten by her."

Nikki Harris (3rd): "I was pretty pleased with that today. I was doing it for a bit of fun really and have only ridden my cross bike once this week. I've spent the week having an easy time on the bike and thought I would come here and ride the grass instead of riding the track. I'm now going to go Manchester to stay and do lots of track work there as well as some road and gym work. I am hoping to be training with the under 23 lads to try and lift my form by getting a kicking from them. I'm hoping to make it into the Commonwealth Games team."

Once the presentations had been made it was down to the Elite men to finish the day off with their event and with no Oli Beckingsale (Scott UK) in the race, the lead of the series was up for grabs. Favourite was Jody Crawforth who was in such good form at Cheltenham and when a select group eventually pulled away containing four riders, Crawforth, Ian Bibby, Nick Craig and Dave Collins (Scott UK), it was race over for the rest.

Crawforth (Evans Cycles) certainly did his best to get away and for a long time was alone at the head of the race but going into the final lap, despite the group exploding from time to time, it was all together. Crawforth never gave up trying however and into the last technical section, leading from the front, he had one last dig and it was enough to just put enough daylight between him and his nearest challenger, Ian Bibby. Crawforth held his slender gap all the way to the line with Bibby (SIS-Trek)second and National Champion Nick Craig (Scott UK) third.

Jody Crawforth leads Ian Bibby and Nick Craig whilst Dave Collins (not pictured) digs deep to join them again after dropping his chain and losing a few seconds.

Jody Crawforth in Yellow is pleased with his days work along with Nick Crag (left, 3rd) and Ian Bibby (right(, 2nd) who also leads the under 23 competition.

The top three in the Under 23 competition, Ian Field, Ian Bibb and Steven Roach.

Talking to Jody afterwards he said his race was disrupted by a broken spoke and with a good lead at one stage, he had to make a decision as to whether to change a wheel. "I changed and then a lap after that I had a crash in the woods and they caught me" he explained. "Then with a couple of laps to go, my chain came off in the woods, and I was really fired up after that. The adrenaline was flowing that much I had to hold back from attacking."

Talking about the closing stages of the race where Jody and Ian Bibby were quite active in trying to get away, he explained "I couldn't quite drop them towards the end but I managed to gap them in the technical bits (switch backs after the planks) and nailed it to the finish. Dave (Collins) had attacked and I just attacked over the top of him. This course was a lot harder than Cheltenham, more up and downs and the long draggy bit into the wind is really hard. Jody summed up by saying he was very pleased with the race and hopes he can keep the form going for all the rounds and get stronger and not stale like he did in the summer."

Standing nearby resplendent in his national champions jersey was Nick Craig, whose protégé Ian Bibby came 2nd just in front of his coach who was third. "I enjoyed being able to tell Ian a few things like what to do, who to watch when. Like when it came back together, it was important that Ian kept his eye on Jody and making sure he wasn't behind Dave in the chicane. I certainly wasn't going to jump him at the finish."

Talking about his own ride, Nick says "It was fine. It's my last race for a short while. I'm not riding Southampton - I'm ready for a rest. I can't remember when I last had a break and to get on the podium is good - I'd like to have won it but Jody was ripping around and deserved the win." Nick then explained that he'll be off the bike until November and will be back for the round at Mallory Park, the North of England's and then Abergavenny and the Nationals.

Talking about the race and how some of the gaps appeared, he explained at one point Dave Collins had problems with his chain at which point Jody and Ian got away. Nick jumped around Collins and closed the gap but feels that the effort required to do that left him without the required gas for the finish. "We were all together at the hurdles and that's where Ian Bibby lost concentration and ended up in third and fourth place around the switches. That's where he lost his chance to win it I think. You can't respond if you're not on Jody's wheel and Ian wasn't on his wheel but apart from that he rode a good race."

Ian Bibby said afterwards he was happy with how his race went. The result was a bit of a surprise he explained and that he was pleased with second. "Jody was the strongest out there for sure" he added finally.

NEXT ROUND
WES National Trophy Series Round 3
Wessex CCA
Southampton Sports Centre, Bassett, Southampton.
Youth Trophy 10:30 £8.50 Cat. B*
Veteran Trophy 11:30 £16.00 Cat. A*
U12 12:30 Free Cat. C
Junior Trophy 13:15 £16.00 Premier*
Women's Trophy 13:16 £16.00 Premier*
Senior Trophy 14:15 £16.00 Premier*
Paul Coates, 11 Duddon Close, SOUTHAMPTON SO18 3QA.
Tel: 023 8046 3430

RESULTS | Click here for the Overall Tables after round 2 |

Senior Trophy Race
 1.  Jody Crawforth        Evans Cycles RT    Elite     56:55 
 2.  Ian Bibby             S.I.S. - Trek      Under 23  at 0:03
 3.  Nick Craig            Scott UK           Elite     at 0:03
 4.  David Collins         Scott UK           Elite     at 0:04
 5.  Steven Roach          S.I.S. - Trek      Under 23  at 1:00
 6.  Ian Field             S.I.S. - Trek      Under 23  at 1:20
 7.  Daniel Alexander      Ace RT/Farmers     Elite     at 1:22
 8.  Geoff Beetham         Shokwave           Elite     at 1:30
 9.  Lewis Craven          Wheelbase/Ron Hill Elite     at 1:54
10.  Jim Bryan             Ace RT/Farmers     Elite     at 2:01
11.  Alex Atkins           Evans Cycles RT    Under 23  at 2:10
12.  Noel Clough           BikeTraks RT/Ulti  Elite     at 2:17
13.  Ian Wilkinson         S.I.S.- Trek       Elite     at 2:29
14.  Mark Thwaites         Kinesis UK         Under 23  at 3:33
15.  Darren Atkins         Ridecov.co.uk      Elite     at 3:41
16.  Shaun Aldous          Interbike RT/Schil Elite     at 4:13
17.  William Bjergfelt     Team Saracen       Elite     at 4:13
18.  Stuart McGhee         Evans Cycles RT    Elite     at 4:23
19.  Daniel Duguid         Evans Cycles RT    Elite     at 4:25
20.  James Furniss         Matlock CC/Wards   Elite     at 4:39
21.  Rob Jebb              Wheelbase/Ron Hill Elite     at 5:07
22.  Dan Harding           Wyre Forest CRC    Elite     at 5:28
23.  William Thompson      GB Cycles.co.uk    Under 23  at 5:34
24.  Stuart Reid           Wheelbase/Ron Hill Elite     at 5:52
25.  David Haygarth        Wheelbase/Ron Hill Elite     at 5:55
26.  Greg Simcock          X RT/Elmy Cycles   Elite     at 6:08
27.  Mark Cotton           VC Lincoln/Mr Mort Under 23  at 6:08
28.  Keith Murray          Scott UK           Elite     at 6:14
29.  Sam Thorne            Matlock CC/Wards   Under 23  at 1 lap
30.  Peter Middlehurst     Eastern Region Vel Elite  
31.  Ben Eedy              South Pennine RC   Elite  
32.  Richard Lister        Fat Birds Tri Club Elite  
33.  Mark Leyland          Horwich CC         Elite  
34.  Nathan Miller         Angliasport/Condor Elite  
35.  Anthony Morris        Individual Member  Elite  
36.  Colin Miller          Coventry RC        Elite  
37.  Hugo Hocknell         Climb on Bikes RT  Elite  
38.  Robert Whenman        Team Corridori     Under 23 
39.  Sam Thompson          Kinesis UK         Under 23 
40.  Lee Allen             Cyclo-cross.com    Under 23 
41.  Pete Yates            Bromsgrove Olympiq Under 23 
42.  Robert Hunt           Eastern Region     Elite  
43.  Andrew Tinsley        Omnipex-Bioracer   Elite  

Under 23's
 1.  Ian Bibby             S.I.S. - Trek      Under 23  at 0:03
 2.  Steven Roach          S.I.S. - Trek      Under 23  at 1:00
 3.  Ian Field             S.I.S. - Trek      Under 23  at 1:20
 4.  Alex Atkins           Evans Cycles RT    Under 23  at 2:10
 5.  Mark Thwaites         Kinesis UK         Under 23  at 3:33
 6.  William Thompson      GB Cycles.co.uk    Under 23  at 5:34
 7.  Mark Cotton           VC Lincoln/Mr Mort Under 23  at 6:08
 8.  Sam Thorne            Matlock CC/Wards   Under 23  at 1 lap
 9.  Robert Whenman        Team Corridori     Under 23 
10.  Sam Thompson          Kinesis UK         Under 23 
11.  Lee Allen             Cyclo-cross.com    Under 23 
12.  Pete Yates            Bromsgrove Olympiq Under 23 


Women’s Trophy 
 1.  Sue Thomas          Individual Member        35:22 
 2.  Helen Wyman         Team Fat Birds UK        at 1:50
 3.  Nikki Harris        Team Specialized         at 2:54
 4.  Claire Lines        Gateway RT               at 2:55
 5.  Clare Gross         Team Fat Birds UK        at 3:35
 6.  Gabriella Day       Team Fat Birds UK        at 4:02
 7.  Amy Thompson (J)    GB Cycles.co.uk          at 4:40
 8.  Michelle Bergstrand Raleigh/ERV              at 5:14
 9.  Marie Stuart (J)    Raleigh/ERV              at 6:46
10.  Louise Day (V)      Team Fat Birds UK        at 6:49
11.  Femke van Schelven  Team Fat Birds UK        at 7:09
12.  Kim Robinson (J)    Team Marie Curie         at 9:22
13.  Chloe Parrington    Loughborough Students CC at 1 lap

Juniors        
 1.  Amy Thompson    GB Cycles.co.uk          at 4:40
 2.  Marie Stuart    Raleigh/ERV              at 6:46
 3.  Kim Robinson    Team Marie Curie         at 9:22

1st Veteran: Louise Day (Team Fat Birds UK)


Junior Trophy
 1.  David Fletcher    Newark Castle CC/Sherwood Pines   41:41 
 2.  Tom Last          Matlock CC/Wards/Impsport         at 0:01
 3.  Stephen Adams     Sherwood CC                       at 0:40
 4.  Sam Webster       Triangle RT/Bianchi               at 0:46
 5.  Andrew Griffiths  Glendene CC                       at 0:51
 6.  Jonathan McEvoy   Kinesis UK                        at 1:06
 7.  Shaun Hurrell     Maldon & District CC              at 1:17
 8.  Peter Banham      Wyre Forest CC/Fabricolor/Morval  at 1:27
 9.  Jamie Harris      Pearce Cycles RT                  at 1:40
10.  Lewis Harris      Rugby Velo                        at 1:40
11.  Tom Smart         VC Deal/Hammonds/Activ            at 3:59
12.  Luke Allen        R.A.T.S.                          at 4:00
13.  Mathew Toplis     Shokwave                          at 5:14
14.  Sean Williams     I-Team.co.uk                      at 6:55
15.  Karl Troth        Halesowen A & CC                  at 7:40
16.  Luke Beswick      Buxton CC/Sett Valley             at 1 lap
17.  Mark Gillmore     East Liverpool Wheelers


Youth Trophy 
 1.  Alex Paton        VC Deal/Hammonds/Activ             34:00
 2.  Ben Plain         Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Scott  at 1:39
 3.  Scott Thwaites    Science in Sport.com           
 4.  Erick Rowsell     Sutton CC/De Ver Cycles             at 1:47
 5.  Jordan Hook       South Pennine RC                    at 2:09
 6.  Tom Buck          Aire Valley RT/Aire Valley/Baxter   at 2:39
 7.  Michael Butler    VC Deal/Hammonds/Activ              at 2:39
 8.  Gareth James      Abergavenny RC/Govilon/Bike Base    at 2:41
 9.  Rob O'Loughlin    Welwyn Wheelers                     at 2:48
10.  Ben Roach         Rugby Velo                          at 2:58
11.  Luke Gray         Dorset Rough Riders (U14)           at 3:00
12.  Lawrence Frost    Ashfield RC                         at 3:41
13.  Daniel McLay      Leicestershire RC (U14)             at 4:46
14.  Matthew Jones     Interbike RT                        at 5:08
15.  Peter Dibben      I-team.co.uk                        at 5:12
16.  Annabel Simpson   Raleigh-ERV   (Yth Girl)            at 5:42
17.  Carl Harris       Eastern Region Velo                 at 6:18
18.  Annie Last        Matlock CC/Wards/Impsport(Yth Girl) at 6:36
19.  Perry Bowater     Walsall RCC (U14)                   at 7:22
20.  Oliver Suart      Ribble Valley CRC Juniors           at 7:36
21.  Oliver Webster    Triangle RT/Bianchi (U14)           at 7:37
22.  Max Sykes         VC Deal/Hammonds/Activ        (U14) at 7:37
23.  Rebecca Thompson  GB Cycles.co.uk/Geoffrey (Yth Girl) at 1 lap
24.  Adam Bibby        Red Rose Olympic
25.  Paul Young        Team Marie Curie Under 14  
26.  Martin Wooffindin Eastlands Velo Under 14  
27.  Danielle King     I-team.co.uk Yth Girl  
28.  Corinne Hall      VC de Londres Yth Girl 
29.  Thomas Walker     Abergavenny RC/Bike Base/Govilon Under 14 
30.  Penny Rowson      Sheffield Phoenix CC U14 Girl  
31.  Samantha Bryant   Marin UK U14 Girl 
32.  Timothy Rowson    Sheffield Phoenix CC Youth  
33.  Bruce Dalton      Matlock CC/Wards/Impsport/Farmers Under 14  
34.  Sophie Gore       Red Rose Olympic U14 Girl  
35.  Hannah Robinson   Ipswich BC U14 Girl  
36.  Sam Bores         Lee Valley Youth CC Under 14  


Youth Trophy Girls
1.  Annabel Simpson   Raleigh-ERV   (Yth Girl)            at 5:42
2.  Annie Last        Matlock CC/Wards/Impsport(Yth Girl) at 6:36
3.  Rebecca Thompson  GB Cycles.co.uk/Geoffrey (Yth Girl) at 1 lap
4.  Danielle King     I-team.co.uk Yth Girl  
5.  Corinne Hall      VC de Londres Yth Girl 


Under 14
 1.  Luke Gray         Dorset Rough Riders (U14)           at 3:00
 2.  Daniel McLay      Leicestershire RC (U14)             at 4:46
 3.  Perry Bowater     Walsall RCC (U14)                   at 7:22
 4.  Oliver Webster    Triangle RT/Bianchi (U14)           at 7:37
 5.  Max Sykes         VC Deal/Hammonds/Activ        (U14) at 7:37
 6.  Paul Young        Team Marie Curie Under 14  
 7.  Martin Wooffindin Eastlands Velo Under 14  
 8.  Thomas Walker     Abergavenny RC/Bike Base/Govilon Under 14 
 9.  Bruce Dalton      Matlock CC/Wards/Impsport/Farmers Under 14  
10.  Sam Bores         Lee Valley Youth CC Under 14  

Under 14 Girls Youth Trophy 
1.  Penny Rowson      Sheffield Phoenix CC U14 Girl  
2.  Samantha Bryant   Marin UK U14 Girl 
3.  Sophie Gore       Red Rose Olympic U14 Girl  
4.  Hannah Robinson   Ipswich BC U14 Girl  


Veteran Trophy 40+
 1.  Chris Young       Team Marie Curie              42:53 
 2.  Richard Binks     Huddersfield RC/Salamander    at 0:30
 3.  Andy Barnard      VC Lincoln/Mr Mortgage/SPS/   at 0:42
 4.  Ian Wright        Lichfield City CC             at 0:42
 5.  Mick Bell         London Fire Brigade CC      
 6.  Geoff Giddings    Ashfield RC                   at 0:45
 7.  Philip Roach      Rugby Velo                    at 0:45
 8.  Graham Clark      VC Lincoln/Mr Mortgage/SPS    at 0:52
 9.  Barry Kipling     Science in Sport.com          at 0:55
10.  Mick Rowson       Rutland CC Veteran            at 0:55
11.  Duncan Walmsley   VC Lincoln/Mr Mortgage/SPS    at 1:12
12.  Adge Last         Matlock CC/Wards/Impsport     at 1:12
13.  Mike Johnson      De Montfort Rage On           at 1:45
14.  Mark Garrett      Coventry RC                   at 1:55
15.  Peter Harris      Pearce Cycles RT              at 2:31
16.  Andy Cosgrove     Teesdale CRC                  at 2:31
17.  Duncan Stuart     Keswick MTB                   at 2:51
18.  Paul Gilbert      Universal CC 
19.  John Wood         Finsbury Park CC
20.  Darrell Bradbury  Norton Wheelers 
21.  Dave Headon       Horwich CC 
22.  Paul Dalton       Matlock CC/Wards/Impsport/Farm
23.  John Gillmore     East Liverpool Wheelers 
24.  Sean Beswick      Buxton CC/Sett Valley        at 1 lap
25.  Mark Bethell      Macclesfield Wheelers      
26.  Gary Fountain     Sheffield Phoenix 

Veteran Trophy 50+
 1.  Roy Hunt         Science in Sport.com         0:43:15 
 2.  John Galway      Keswick MTB                  at 01:39
 3.  Geoff Bores      Lee Valley Youth CC 
 4.  David Smith      Derby Mercury RC 
 5.  Jeff Standley    Lakes RC  
 6.  Joseph Rowe      Wyre Forest CC 
 7.  Graham Edwards   Abergavenny RC/Bike Base/Govilon 
 8.  Vic Barnett      Welland Valley CC 
 9.  Richard Wood     VC Deal/Hammonds/Activ 
10.  Terry Meechan    Coventry RC 
11.  Francis McGhee   Elizabethan CC 
12.  Malcolm Wilson   Wolverhampton Wheelers CC 
13.  Tony Wilkins     GS CdS Boghetta           at 1 lap
14.  Peter Mooney     Rugby Velo 
15.  Ray Pinder       Coventry RC 
16.  Ian Small        Zodiac CRC 
17.  John Holmes      Derby Mercury RC 
18.  Stuart Hocknell  St Ives CC/Richardsons 

| Click here for the Overall Tables after round 2 |