Wearmouth Takes Yorkshire 'Cross Opener

 

John Stevenson Memorial Cross

Yorkshire Points Round 1

Northallerton, 2 Sept 2007

 

The first round of the 2007-8 Yorkshire Points Cyclo-Cross Series produced big fields - over 150 riders in the four races combined - and some top class racing.

Early on lap one and James Sharp leads Stuart Wearmouth

The course took in the surrounding playing fields and woodland at the Hambleton Leisure Centre in Northallerton. Baked hard by recent dry weather, it was lightening quick and a great test of both fitness and technique.

This event often attracts a number of riders from the North-East and Cumbria, who always give the series regulars a good run for their money. In this case it was Stuart Wearmouth who trumped the Yorkshire regulars with a superb front running ride. He led from virtually from start to finish to take victory from James Sharp, with Gary Wearmouth third and Noel Clough fourth.

Lap 2 and Sharp chases Stuart Wearmouth, with Noel Clough and Gary Wearmouth close behind

The race, which began in warm, dry conditions was livened up by a short rain shower after about 30 minutes of racing. This turned the course into a skating rink in places and caught out a few riders, especially on the slippery bankings close to the finish.

Noel Clough gets out of the saddle for one of the many short bankings which littered the course

 

As a form guide for the series, it was interesting to contrast the performances of Noel Clough and Chris Young who fought a titanic battle throughout the 2006-7 series, with Clough taking it on most wins after they tied on points. This time around he looked to have started the season in much the better form, moving up into second place with a lap to go, whilst Young, looking rusty after a big week of training, was 13th at the end of the first lap and despite a typical late charge could only move up to 7th. However, Clough's final advantage was not as big as it could have been: a bike change in the closing stages and the loss of two places on the final lap left him fourth.

Senior Winner Stuart Wearmouth cranks it over

 

Looking at the wider scene, Clough has graduated to the Veteran ranks this year - though he and Young both compete in the Seniors' race in Yorkshire events - and he could well challenge Young for his national title come January.

Earlier, a field of over 50 lined up for what proved to be a fast and exciting Vets' and Women's race, which was won by J Galway, riding for Keswickbikes.co.uk, who was also the leading over-50 category rider. Steve Barron, last year's series runner-up took second. J. Roberts of Team Chance was the leading Woman. Top three in the Youth event were T. Moses, P.Young and S. Woodhead.

Results

Senior/Juniors
1 Stuart Wearmouth Picarsso Pulman
2 James Sharp York Cycleworks
3 Gary Wearmouth Picarsso Pulman
4 Noel Clough Feitsen Tempo
5 Alan Nixon Wheelspin Scott
6 Rob Thackray Paul Milnes RT
7 Chris Young JD Cycles
8 Mark Cotton VC Lincoln
9 Tim Baldwin Paul Milnes RT
10 Rob Watson (J) Paul Milnes RT
11 Robin Bradbury Aire Valley RT
12 Marcus Spencer Batley CC
13 Steve Middleton Hambleton Road Club
14 Dean Smith Liverpool Century
15 Mark Wolstenholme Team Swift Allsports
16 Andrew Windrum Newton Ramblers
17 Richard Thackray Paul Milnes RT
18 Thomas Moses (J) SSC Cyclesport
19 Steff Chandler Horwich CC
20 Johnny Limebear VS Cycles
21 Mark Mather Ferryhill CC
22 Andrew Westwell Pendle Forest CC
23 Phil Hinchcliffe Bradford RCC
24 Paul Lehan Harrogate Nova
25 Rob Pugh Liverpool Century
26 Tim Rowson (J) DCM-GB
27 Ian Caswell Harrogate Nova CC
28 Steve Potter Cleveland Wheelers
29 David Bough Featherstone RC
30 Bill Imeson BRT
31 Dan Lowthorpe Rutland CC
32 David Howard unattached
33 Anthony Grieff Gosforth RC
34 Will Bushby (J) Obricoaching RT
35 Andy Hunt Crosstrax
36 James Hey Cleveland Wheelers
37 Wayne Langthorpe HRC
38 Alistair Slater Tor 2000
39 Matt Lunn Team Swift Allsports
40 Steve Smales Team Swift Allsports
41 Nigel Steve MTS
42 Digby Ruscing Calder Clarion
43 James Credland Aire Valley RT
44 David Belcher Clifton CC
45 Paul Milson Calder Clarion

Veterans/Women
1 J Galway Keswick Bikes.co.uk
2 S Barron VC Lincoln
3 B Kipling MTS
4 M Rowson Team JD Cycles
5 C Featherstone MTS
6 P Whatmough Shepherds Cycles
7 D Stuart Keswick Bikes.co.uk
8 P Wilkin Cleveland Whls
9 C Warren
10 J Shenton Paul Milnes RT
11 D Bradbury Norton Whls
12 K Dilley
13 A Hunt
14 M Vesty Boneshakers RT
15 G Bird Team JD Cycles
16 P Ingham U/A
17 S Spencer OBRI Coacing RT
18 A Cosgrove Teesdale CRC
19 S Hudson Harrogate Nova CC
20 W Nicholson K Clarke Training
21 J Roberts Team Chance
22 J Ginley Condor RC
23 M Stuart Team Chance
24 Craven Moses Bronte Whls
25 E Watson Leeds RRC
26 R Wilkins Police Sport UK
27 K Saville Norton Whls
28 J Carr Cleveland Whls
29 D Green Bronte Whls
30 J Redmond Paul Milnes RT
31 G Piccavey
32 P Thackray Paul Milnes RT
33 P Bradford Paul Milnes RT
34 K Hickie Bronte Whls
35 P Norfolk Mercury RT
36 D Buffham Harrogate Nova CC
37 D Woodhead West Pennine CC
38 K White Team Vampire
39 M Middleton Hambleton RC
40 L Bland Norton Whls
41 A Hilton Army CC
42 P Smith Bronte Whls
43 F Rothwell Paul Milnes RT
44 R Law Bradford RCC
45 B Baker
46 J Milsom Police Sport UK
47 R Fenn Calder Clarion
48 J Brady Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue CC
49 K Howard
50 D Ward
51 Peter Milsom Calder Clarion
52 S Gill Bradford RCC

Youth
1 T Moses SSC-Cyclesport U16
2 P Young Team JD Cycles U16
3 S Woodhead West Pennine CC U16
4 L Simpson Leeds St Christopher U14
5 H Shenton Team Chance G/U16
6 J Moses Bronte Wh U14
7 P Rowson Team Chance G/U16
8 H Stevens Triangle RT U16
9 E Thompson Hetton Hawks U14
10 A Hopper Cleveland Whls U14
11 T Saville Thurcroft CC U14
12 T Warren LBT U14
13 A Oliver-Evans East Bradford CC U16
13 E Woodfire Wakefield Tri Club G/U14