Welsh Cyclo-Cross League

 

11 November, Bryn Bach Park

Images: Mike Anstice

Report: Liz Slater

 

Thoughts have been with Veteran rider Dave Seward (Bynea CC) who suffered serious injuries when he collided with a rider who had fallen in front of him. Fortunately he was not as badly injured as had initially been feared but still suffered a fractured cheekbone and jawbone and severe soft tissue damage to his shoulder. Everyone wishes him a very speedy recovery.

The wind may have been cold but the competition is hotting up nicely in the Under 12s. As yet another field of more than thirty riders forged its way up the start straight into the wind, it was Sam Beckingsale (Abergavenny RC) who reached the turn onto the rough grass first. Now riding a 'cross bike he was again pulling away from the others, leaving first Ben Nicholls (CC Abergavenny), then Ffion James (Abergavenny RC) and finally Rowan Miller (Maindy Flyers) to challenge for second place. These riders were well strung out, but behind them there was quite a battle going on, with Under 10s Jessica Roberts (Towy Riders) and Amy Hinchly (Maindy Flyers) giving Under 12s Emily Haycox (Maindy Flyers), William James and Ben Dunster (both Brecon Wheelers) a hard time. Roberts held off the others until the penultimate lap but, with Hinchly right behind her, was finally beaten into sixth place by Dunster. Completing the top ten was first Under 10 Boy Jack Broadley (Maindy Flyers).

With Tom Walker soloing to victory by over a minute in the Youth race and maintaining his winning run, things could not have been closer behind him, with a quartet of riders taking it in turns to chase. Bobby Coles (Abergavenny RC) forced the pace early on but dropped back mid-race behind team-mate Ryan Nash and James Vicary. The final lap saw Under 14 Jack Llewellyn (M & D Cycles) move in front of Coles and the scene was set for a battle for second place. With only ten seconds separating the three, Nash took second place, Vicary third and Llewellyn was first Under 14 Boy in fourth. Elinor Barker (Maindy Flyers) had another excellent race to finish first (Under 14) girl.

The line-up for the main race suggested that some close and exciting racing was in prospect. But favourite for the win Ben Simmons (Lifeforce) was nowhere to be seen as the leaders came through after the first lap; he had suffered one of the three punctures that put an end to his race. It was Junior ODP rider Andrew Williams (Cwmcarn Paragon) who led for the early part of the race ahead of Anthony O'Boyle (Gateway RT) and Julian Winn (Pinarello RT). Unusually O'Boyle was having a trouble-free time and mid-way through the race took to the front with Williams in hot pursuit. It was neck and neck as the two turned for the finish and sprinted up the road; the win was O'Boyle's by half a wheel.

Further down the field, a race-long tussle between contenders for the overall League lead saw Richard Bowen (Gateway RT) get the better of Joe Lally (CC Abergavenny) and first Veteran Daren Williams (Abergavenny RC). And Nina Davies (Ogmore Valley Wheelers) continued her run of wins in a well supported Women's field.

The Cardiff JIF promoted event scheduled for Heath Park, Cardiff has been cancelled; so the next round will be the Ogmore Valley Wheelers event at Margam Park (SA13 2TJ) on 25th November. The course will be returning to its original site (down at the far end of the park) this year.