Round 4: Welsh Cyclo-Cross League

 

28th October, Llysdinam, Newbridge on Wye

 

Report from Liz Slater
Round 4 of the Welsh League was held on the Llysdinam estate near Newbridge on Wye in Mid Wales. The course snaked round the gardens, woods and fields of the estate which has an imposing view south down the Wye valley. The venue was well received last season but a night of heavy rain and strong winds, which caused many of the trees to lose a large number of their leaves overnight, made racing on this occasion a war of attrition between rider and bike and the mud and leaves as sunshine on the day started to dry out the ground.

 

Conditions were not too bad for the Under 12s race and they hurtled through the woodland showing some deft bike handling over the tree roots and round the tight bends. First to show through the trees at the end of the first lap was Sam Beckingsale (Abergavenny RC) with Ben Nicholls (CC Abergavenny), Ffion James (Abergavenny RC) and William James (Brecon Wheelers) in hot pursuit.

 

But the course looked to suit Beckingsale and his lead increased with each lap as the others became strung out behind him. A race win was his at last with Nicholls an impressive second, having been back on his bike for only six months after breaking his leg. Ffion James was in third place and first U12 Girl. Making it four wins out of as many races and beating all the U10 Boys Jessica Roberts (Towy Riders) was first U10 Girl in fifth place behind William James. Sliding his back wheel over the finish line to claim first U10 Boy was Ben’s cousin Huw (CC Abergavenny).

 

It was out of the wood and onto the field for the start of the Youth race with the Abergavenny RC colours out in force again. It was Thomas Walker again who took to the front with new team-mate Ryan Nash trying to hold his wheel. By the end of the first lap the boys in red held the top four places and so it remained but with Bobby Coles overhauling Gareth Sheppard mid-way through the race. Walker maintained his unbeaten record but might have to keep an eye on Nash in the future. By the end of the third lap Joe Anstice (Newport Velo) had passed fellow U14 Tom Nicholls (CC Abergavenny) and succeeded in holding him off to take first in the U14 Boys. Elinor Barker (Maindy Flyers) was first Girl.

 

With several riders either at the National Trophy event in Ipswich or not making the trip up to Mid Wales, some valuable League points were on offer in the Senior race. But the course was becoming very sticky and the riders would certainly have to work hard for those points; those with a spare bike in the pits had the advantage.

 

For the early part of the race the trio of Guy Stevens (Abergavenny RC), Nigel Hay (Pedal Power) and visitor Simon Burgess (Somer Valley CC) from the Western League took it in turns at the front. But by the third lap Stevens had started pulling away and Hay and Burgess had Daren Williams (Abergavenny CC) for company.

 

With Hay always just in front, Burgess and Williams were vying for third place. Despite the conditions Stevens looked comfortable out in front and finished two minutes ahead of Hay. Williams looked to have the measure of Burgess but a puncture for Williams gave Burgess third place. Nina Davies (Ogmore Valley Wheelers) again road strongly for first Woman.

 

The next Welsh League event will be on 11th November at Parc Bryn Bach, Tredegar (NP22 3AY).

 

Photos thanks to Mike Anstice

See the Gallery link at the top of the page for the album of images from Mike.

 

 

 

 

Results

 

SENIORS/JUNIORS/VETERANS/WOMEN 
1. Guy Stevens Abergavenny RC
2. Nigel Hay Pedal Power
3. Simon Burgess Somer Valley CC
4. Daren Williams Abergavenny RC
5. Richard Bowen Gateway RT
6. Paul Bennett Cardiff JIF
7. Ross Porter Cwmcarn Paragon
8. Joe Lally CC Abergavenny
9. Gareth Chislett Abertillery Wheelers
10. John Lloyd mtbmarathon.co.uk
11. Lynn Lines Gateway RT
12. Dave Seward Bynea CC
13. Shaun Lewis M & D Cycles
14. Andy Pearce Forza Cycles
15. Simon Nurse Cardiff JIF
16. Adrian Peall
17. Donald Gray Cardiff JIF
18. Craig Standage Cardiff JIF
19. Nina Davies Ogmore Valley Wheelers
20. Paul Herbert Rhyl CC
21. Martin Penticost M & D Cycles
22. Paul Webber
23. Michael Roach Gateway RT
24. Chris Nash
25. Cy Strike
26. Crad Lowe Biped Cycles
27. John Hosking
28. Phil Harries Cardiff Ajax
29. Martin Buck
30. Stephen Crompton
31. David James Abergavenny RC

 

YOUTH
1. Thomas Walker Abergavenny RC
2. Ryan Nash Abergavenny RC
3. Bobby Coles Abergavenny RC
4. Gareth Sheppard Abergavenny RC
5. Joe Anstice Newport Velo
6. Tom Nicholls CC Abergavenny
7. Sam Weaver Ludlow CC
8. Sam Anstice Newport Velo
9. Elinor Barker Maindy Flyers
10. Adam King Maindy Flyers
11. Amy Roberts Towy Riders
12. Nia Knight Towy Riders
13. Geraint Manley Maindy Flyers
14. Samuel Leigh-Cattrall Towy Riders
15. Ellis Lane Abergavenny RC

 

UNDER 12s
1. Sam Beckingsale Abergavenny RC
2. Ben Nicholls CC Abergavenny
3. Ffion James Abergavenny RC
4. William James Brecon Wheelers
5. Jessica Roberts Towy Riders
6. Huw Nicholls
7. Jack Broadley Maindy Flyers
8. Ben Beckingsale Abergavenny RC
9. Nathan Llewellyn Maindy Flyers
10. Emma Roberts Towy Riders
11. Amy Hinchly Maindy Flyers
12. Nathan Ford Abergavenny RC
13. Megan James Abergavenny RC
14. Luke Knight Towy Riders
15. Ffion Llewellyn Maindy Flyers
16. George Lowe  Biped Cycles
17. Megan Barker Maindy Flyers
18. Bethan Manley Maindy Flyers
19. Sion Knight Towy Riders
20. Jodie Buck
21. Lowri Thomas Abergavenny RC
22. Callum Nicholls CC Abergavenny
23. Teifion Best
24. Elizabeth Bennett Cardiff JIF
25. Elinor Williams John Lloyd Racing
26. Rhys Thomas Abergavenny RC
27. Thomas Williams John Lloyd Racing
28. Josh Hinchley Maindy Flyers