Welsh Cyclo-Cross League Finale

 

Christmas Cross/ Welsh Cyclo-Cross League Final

Sunday, 16th of Dec, Backweir Park, Cardiff

Report: Liz Slater

The 2007 Welsh League series has seen some of the closest racing for many a year and several overall positions were set to come right down to the wire at the final round in Cardiff's Blackweir Park. Indeed some hot competition was needed to warm riders and spectators chilled by the keen wind. With the ground dry and the course flat the scene was set for some fast racing.

The start of the U12s race saw League leader Sam Beckingsale (Abergavenny RC) immediately off the front followed by Rowan Miller (Maindy Flyers), Ffion James (Abergavenny RC) and Ben Dunster (Brecon Wheelers). Just behind, U10 Girl Amy Hinchly (Maindy Flyers) had a small gap on rival Jessica Roberts (Towy Riders) and Sam's brother Ben was also mixing it with the older riders and leading the U10 Boys category.

The fast pace and cold air was causing discomfort to some riders but Beckingsale looked untroubled out in front although his lead over Miller was not as convincing as it had been the previous week. James was on her own in third place as Dunster dropped back behind the battling Hinchly and Roberts. By the end of the third and penultimate lap Miller looked to be gaining on Beckingsale as they twisted through the trees. First to reappear along the banking was Miller - to take his first win of the series by 16 seconds. James finished in third place and took second place in the series (1st U12 Girl) by one point from Miller, with Beckingsale retaining his U12 Boys League title.

The gutsiest riders of the day had to be U10s Hinchly (5th) and Roberts (6th); as they turned into the finishing straight Roberts launched an attack but lost out to Hinchly by less than half a wheel. Reflecting the battle the two have had all season, they finished the series on equal points but, as winner of the final round, Hinchly took the series win in the U10 Girls. Ben Beckingsale's final round win narrowed the gap between him and Jack Broadley (Maindy Flyers) but was not enough to deny Broadley his second, consecutive U10 Boys series win.

With a series lead of 10 points Tom Walker (Abergavenny RC) only had to finish the race to take the 2007 Youth title. But as his perfect series score would suggest, leading the field is where we are used to seeing him ? and this race was no exception. Behind him Bobby Coles (Abergavenny RC) and Jack Llewellyn (M & D Cycles) were vying for the series runner-up slot. After a strong start Llewellyn faded as the race progressed and Coles moved into third place ahead of him and Sam Weaver (Ludlow CC). Walker again soloed to victory 45 seconds ahead of club-mate Ryan Nash to convincingly win the Youth U16 League title but third place for Coles meant he had to settle for third place in the series, one point behind Llewellyn. Llewellyn was first U14 Boy and Elinor Barker (Maindy Flyers) first U14 Girl.

Following his outstanding 7th place in the National Trophy at Bradford, Lee Williams (Abergavenny RC) was back on home soil keeping race-fit for the forthcoming National Championships. Allowing Anthony O'Boyle (Gateway RT) a turn on the front on the first lap, he then upped the pace and moved into the lead, leaving the field strung out in his wake. O'Boyle chased hard but finished 1 minute down. In third place, two and a half minutes down, was first Junior Gareth James (Abergavenny RC).

As he had done the previous week, Richard Bowen (Gateway RT) was having another excellent race in his bid to win not just the Senior title but the overall League trophy as well. Going into the final Bowen was just three points behind overall and Veteran leader Daren Williams (Abergavenny RC). But with Bowen finishing in 4th place and Williams in 8th both the Senior and overall titles were Bowen's. Williams took the Veteran title, Nina Davies (Ogmore Valley Wheelers) the Women's and, in his first year, Matthew Jones (Cwmcarn Paragon) the Junior.