NEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING 12th DECEMBER 2005
After last year's promotion of the National Championships, Abergavenny RC promote this seasons National Trophy final at Abergavenny Leisure Centre on Sunday 18th December.
Racing commences at 10.30 am with the Youth events with the Veterans at 11.15 am, Women / Juniors at 12.30 pm and the Senior/Espoirs main event at 2.15 pm. This years series looks set to be claimed by defending Trophy holder Jody Crawforth (Evans Cycles RT), but the start sheet lists a who�s who of British Cyclo Cross so with such a strong field and such a technical circuit anything could happen to rob Crawforth of the series title.
Predicting a winner for the event looks to be a lottery with the likes of Nick Craig (Scott UK) � the defending national champion, Olympians Liam Killen (Team Specialized) and Oli Beckingsale (Scott UK), 2004 winner Ronny Poelvoorde of Belgium, plus a team of Danish visitors and a possible surprise entry from German national champion Malte Urban (Stevens Racing). A strong domestic challenge will also come from the SIS-Trek team of Espoirs � Ian Bibby, Ian Field plus local favourite Steven Roach who claimed the Trophy title at Abergavenny in 2004. Further details plus a start list for the event are available on the British Cycling website HERE.
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Inside the mind of Nicole Cooke one of Wales' and Britain's top cyclists. Read HERE about her training and preparations for competing in the Commonwealth Games. |
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Nicole Cooke is still on course to compete for Wales at the Commonwealth Games. For an update on her injury situation please click HERE |
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Ladies Day - 28th Dec 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Lunch 11.30 - 12.30
Rides need to be competent track riders. Please book in advance by telephoning the Velodrome on 01633 670521.
Cost of the total session is �10.00 payable on the day.
Ride all day for �2.00 on 30th Dec 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
All ages are catered for. All abilities are catered for but time may be limited for first time Velodrome riders. No need to book just turn up any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more details tel: 07837 204 418
Please note that the Welsh Cycling office will be closed from Saturday 24 December through to Tuesday 3rd January 2006.
May we take this opportunity to wish all our members, riders, coaches, sponsors and friends a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.
With just two laps to go in qualifying for the points race at the Track World Cup in Manchester on Friday, Nicole Cooke crashed out after touching shoulders with a Canadian rider. Early indications are that Nicole has suffered a double hair line fracture of the collarbone. Everyone involved with Welsh Cycling wishes her a speedy recovery from her injuries.
It was a happier weekend for the two other young Welsh riders involved, Geraint Thomas and Ross Sander. As part of the young GB pursuit team the boys posted a 4:13 time, just a few seconds off the best in qualifying, with Coach Rod Ellingworth stating he was "pleased and happy with their ride". Geraint and Ross then combined on the final day to take their places in the madison event. The boys rode extremely well to make it through heat two into the final.
The final itself proved to be a tough affair with Germany, New Zealand and the GB World Champions, Hayles and Cavendish, all pushing the pace. The lads did some great work, scoring some valuable points before finally succumbing to the high pace of the event.
Both Geraint and Ross will now be planning on be part of the GB team that will ride the World Cup in Sydney in the New Year before donning their Welsh kit in the Commonwealth Games. For more details of the World Cup, please click HEREl
The final round of this year�s Welsh cyclo-cross league at Blackweir Park, Cardiff saw the Senior men�s title decided on the final event. Just one point separated Ben Simmons (Halfords) and Anthony O�Boyle (Newport Phoenix), both of whom have won three races each this season. In the event, both riders set the early pace with Steven Roach (SIS Trek), before mechanical problems struck O�Boyle on lap three, necessitating a run to the pits. Simmons took advantage, holding onto Roach for a further three laps before the Commonwealth Games rider went clear to victory. Simmons claimed second ahead of Ben Oliver (Leahrhys.co.uk) and Darren Williams (CC Abergavenny), with O�Boyle withdrawing from the event.
Gareth James (Abergavenny RC) claimed the Youth event from club mate Jake Cole and Rhys Powell, with the latter pair claiming the series. Kimberley Richards earned the Youth female category, While the fiercely competitive Under 12�s category saw Luke Newton (CC Abergavenny) claim the final and league victory from club-mates Tom and Ben Nicholls, with Jack Llewellyn (Newport Phoenix) spoiling the clean-sweep with second place in the final. In the girls category Molly Sander (Cardiff 100 Milers) won from Emily Haycox (Maindy Flyers) both on the day and in the league.
Full results from the final and the overall league can be found HERE.
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