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Report: Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Round 4
Southampton | Sunday 28 November 2010
Words and Photography By Luke Webber
Results | Series Standings | Series Homepage
The 2010 British Cyclo Cross season continued with a continental feel at Southampton - hosts of the 2007 British Championships. We've got all the action from the fourth round of the National Trophy.
SENIOR & UNDER-23 MEN
Ian Field returned to the National Trophy with a win in Southampton - his first in two years.
As freezing temperatures gripped Britain, the south coast was one of the few locations to escape the snow. However, dry air and the mercury at minus four ensured Southampton's course became concrete-hard; conditions in great contrast to the last time the National Trophy visited the Sports Centre.
Hand warming techniques varied, but were popular among all riders.
Even the notorious coppice section had been surfaced with woodchip, while the off camber bankings were relatively simple to negotiate. The sternest test for riders came in the form of several 180-degree bends and a solitary set of boards, located on a clear straightaway.
Making a big difference on the Southampton course was tough, but a fast start by Field, Series Leader Jody Crawforth and Kris Lapere created the first selection.
The early selection; Field, Crawforth and Lapere.
Even at this early stage, it was clear to see that Field's technique was different to the others, greater energy conservation and a cornering style the two most notable attributes to his style. At the end of the first lap, Field took time to observe who was in his group, as Crawforth took to the lead.
Behind, a group of chasers formed. Paul Oldham was recovering to join the leaders after an early crash, while Thomas Vernaeckt followed his wheel to make a front group of five - but it wasn't easy.
The first attack, this time from Vernaeckt, to test Field, Crawforth and Oldham.
On lap three, and with 15 minutes of racing complete, Vernaeckt hit the front and tried to test the pace, however one lap on that honour was left to Ian Field.
Returning from the Koksijde World Cup, Field showed no weariness from his exploits in Belgium, attacking on the hardest section of the course, before returning to his rhythm. Crawforth immediately gave chase, but could only peg Field, firstly at five seconds and later at ten.
The shape of Field's lead following one lap. Around five seconds.
Behind, the shape of the race changed dramatically, riders distributed around the course one-by-one, Field's choice to ride alone the perfect tactic.
In the fight for the minor placings, Crawforth's attentions quickly turned to his nearest Series rival, Paul Oldham who had made third position his priority and in the closing stages the race was closer, but for thirty minutes in between racing on the south coast turned cold, divisive and lacking in excitement.
The height of excitement following Field's attack. Oldham chases Crawforth, to no avail; passes a lapped rider in the process.
After the race, Field commented that he expected nothing less - remarking that for the pundits a win was inevitable, and anything less would be a crushing defeat.
"It was a surprise to get away so easy, but it's a weird feeling. When I come to race in the UK it is a no win situation, apart from getting the UCI points which will help when I go back to Belgium."
In the overall standings, Jody Crawforth cemented his lead at the top of the table, with Oldham in second - however Crawforth is yet to have a bogey race - something which could prove decisive in the final two rounds.
The National Trophy resumes in two weeks at Bradford, where Field returns for his second race of the cyclo cross season on British soil. His third will be the National Championships.
Brief Results (Full Results)
Senior Men
1 Ian Field Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Scott/GSI ( Elite ) 58m 32s
2 Jody Crawforth Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Scott/GSI ( Elite ) @ 0:09
3 Paul Oldham Hope Factory Racing ( Elite ) @ 0:12
4 Steven de Decker Flemisch Cycling Projects Belgium ( Elite ) @ 1:02
5 Floris de Tier Babaco Cycling Team Belgium ( Under 23 ) @ 1:07
6 Nick Craig Team Scott UK ( Elite ) @ 1:15
7 Kris Lapere Mez Team Belgium ( Elite ) @ 1:27
8 Kenny Geluykens Scott Cycling Team (Belgium) ( Elite ) @ 1:32
9 Luke Gray Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Scott/GSI ( Under 23 ) @ 1:40
10 Thomas Vernaeckt Sunweb - Revor Cycling Team Belgium ( Elite ) @ 1:51
Under-23 Men
1. Floris de Tier
2. Luke Gray
3. Ritchie Denolf
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6. Tom Payton (Series Leader)
WOMEN
Hannah Barnes took her first win of the 2010/11 National Trophy, defining what has been an unpredictable Series to date; a different winner at every round.
Hannah Barnes: doing her National Champions' jersey justice at Southampton.
With scenes reminiscent of her dominant form last year, Barnes made easy headway and left the traditional grouping of Lucy Garner, Amy Roberts, Ruby Millar, Corrine Hall, Hanah Payton and Bethany Crumpton, flailing.
Barnes saw her chance in the first third of the race and wasn't concerned by a chasing group, which proved to be the right approach.
Corrine Hall, lead the race early on and finished third.
Behind, Hannah Payton and Corrine Hall rounded out the podium, while Lucy Garner retained the overall lead in the Series.
Brief Results (Full Results)
Women
1 Hannah Barnes (J) Motorpoint/Marshalls Pasta 45m 25s
2 Hannah Payton(J) Stourbridge CC @ 0:34
3 Corrine Hall Team Corridori @ 0:39
4 Lucy Garner(J) Leicestershire RC @ 1:17
5 Claire Beaumont Rapha - Condor @ 2:06
VETERAN
Darren Atkins took his third victory in the National Trophy Series on a frozen Southampton course. Pausing only once to look back and assess a challenge from Noel Clough, Atkins rode clear, leaving a legacy of damage across the hillside.
Philip Roach leads the Veteran field, marked by Darren Atkins (yellow jersey) and Chris Young.
The first to chase Atkins' early attack, Clough was also the first to feel its force, reversing through a pack of six chasers that had formed early in the race and contained Chris Young, Matt Denby, Phil Roach, Keith Sheriden, Kevin Knox and Dan Cook.
As the race entered its final stages, the group splintered, with Young and Roach at the head of the assailants. On the final lap Atkins was enjoying his victory, while Young was attacking every turn in a bid to secure second. This was a worthwhile move and Young scored his third podium of the Series.
Atkins; win three of the Series, following a blip at Mallory Park.
VETERAN 50+
Coming from behind, Steve Davies returned to the front of National Trophy racing and retained his Series leader jersey - but not without some worry.
National Champion Ian Wright took the race to Davies, who suffered a poor start and for some time, it looked like the Welshman would be resigned to second position for the second consecutive race.
Ian Wright - National Champion, early leader, Trophy challenger.
However, a tenacious Davies slowly moved up to Wright, and pounced on an innocuous mistake. The remainder of the race was tight - Davies was far from assured victory - but Wright will remember his slip until Bradford; his next chance of the Series.
Steven Davies; returning to the sport after a long hiatus, retaining the Series jersey.
Brief Results (Full Results)
Veteran Men (40)
1 Darren Atkins Coventry RC/Ridecov.co.uk 40m 9s
2 Chris Young Wheelbase.co.uk/Cannondale @ 0:30
3 Philip Roach Coventry RC/Ridecov.co.uk @ 0:33
4 Gary Lingard CC Hackney @ 0:44
5 Noel Clough Wheelbase.co.uk/Cannondale @ 0:59
Veteran Men (50)
1 Steven Davies Endura/Thule/24/7/Kinesis/MI Racing 41m 55s
2 Ian Wright Raleigh RT/Michelin/High5 @ 0:33
3 Dave McMullen Evans Cycles RT @ 1:04
4 Peter Wilkin Fietsen Tempo/The House/Chapters @ 1:47
5 Andrew Roberts Evans Cycles RT @ 1:58
JUNIOR MEN
Fresh from the sands of Koksijde and the Junior Cyclo Cross World Cup, Jack Clarkson and Alistair Slater showed why they were Britain's best at the firmer location of Southampton.
With just one dismount per lap and no other obstacles to think of, the course may have been in contrast to that faced on the continent, but the result was a familiar one.
Alistair Slater (leading) and Jack Clarkson could only be seperated by their errors.
Both riders recognised the dangers of riding together early on in the race, but it was mistakes which served to separate, with Slater losing his front wheel on several occasions.
Clarkson saw this as an opportunity to attack - and while it was early in proceedings - there was little hesitation from the Pedalsport rider.
Further back, Taylor Johnstone and Hugo Robinson went wheel to wheel for much of the race. Chasing the leading duo, they never quite had track position and this, coupled with relentless attacks from the leaders, ensured a group of four would never materialise.
Hugo Robinson (left) and Taylor Johnstone (right) were locked in a race-long battle.
In the closing stages, Clarkson admitted he could relax and enjoy the win, while Slater chased to the line for second place. Johnstone rounded out the podium with Robinson in fourth.
Brief Results (Full Results)
Junior Men
1 Jack Clarkson Pedalsport CC 46m 49s
2 Alistair Slater Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Scott/GSI @ 0:41
3 Taylor Johnstone Team de Ver @ 1:50
4 Hugo Robinson X RT/Elmy Cycles @ 1:21
5 Luke Grivell-Mellor Mid Shropshire Wheelers @ 1:43
YOUTH RACES
A double win for home riders Harry and Tom Franklin in the under-aged categories was the highlight for race sponsors Hargroves Cycles; neither rider troubled on the way to the win.The points were not enough for either rider to take the leaders' jersey however; that honour going to Jake Womersley and Arthur Green.
Graham Robins' Photostream
Alice Barnes took her third win of the Series and retained the overall under-16 lead, with Charlotte Broughton retained her unbeaten record in the under-14 competition.
Brief Results (Full Results)
Under-16 Male
1 Harry Franklin Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Scott/GSI 26m 30s
2 Chris Lawless Maxgear RT @ 0:20
3 Jake Womersley Sowerby Brothers CRT @ 0:52
4 Joe Kirkham VC Long Eaton @ 1:05
5 Matthew Hargroves Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Scott/GSI @ 1:10
Under-16 Female
1 Alice Barnes Palmer Park Velo 32m 48s
2 Emily Nelson Halesowen A & CC @ 0:53
3 Imogen Buick Thetford MTB Racing @ 1:20
4 Amy Hill Newport Velo CC @ 2:00
5 Emily Barnes Rapha Condor @ 3:02
Under-14 Male
1 Tomas Franklin Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Scott/GSI 28m 39s
2 Arthur Green Matlock CC/Impsport/Farmers/Wards @ 0:35
3 Jake Poole Cyclesport UK/Pygott & Crone @ 1:36
4 David Barnes Palmer Park Velo @ 1:56
5 Joseph Fry Welwyn Wheelers CC @ 2:20
Under-14 Female
1 Charlotte Broughton Leicestershire RC 22m 23s
2 Grace Garner Leicestershire RC @ 0:37
3 Ffion James Abergavenny RC/Lane/Govilon/Gateway @ 1:10
4 Sarah Lomas Matlock CC/Impsport/Famers/Wards @ 1:19
5 Jessica Wilkinson Birkenhead North End CC @ 2:58
