PHOTOS BY RICHARD ROBOTHAM
PHOTOS BY LARRY HICKM OTT
OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS
PHOTOS BY ANDY WHITEHOUSE
2008 British Cyclo-Cross Championships
Day 2; January 6; Sutton Park, Birmingham
Report by Phil Ingham and Larry Hickmott
Photo Albums: Photos added so far-- Gillian Grainger and also, Richard Robotham has kindly sent us albums from each of the four races held on day 2. Click the Gallery buttons at the top of the page.
Video: After their races, Liam Killeen, Helen Wyman, Alex Paton and Roger Hammond gave us video interviews, which we've uploaded to Youtube - Link: Video Interviews - Meanwhile ITV Local have produced two excellent videos of the Elite races Elite Men's Race | Elite Women's Race
Day 2 of the British Cycling national Cyclo-Cross Championships saw some outstanding performances ending with an intriguing battle between two international stars with contrasting backgrounds, Road's Roger Hammond and MTB's Liam Killeen.
Sutton Park was packed with people to see Roger Hammond win yet another Cyclo-Cross title.
| Report |
Elite Men's Title Battle
Roger Hammond and Liam Killeen (above) know each other well from previous battles for the title, most notably at the same venue two years ago when Hammond just edged it in a close sprint. This time Hammond was the first to show, moving up from fifth early on the first lap to leading the race by the middle of lap two.
The early leader was Paul Oldham who stretched the field from the off. Killeen meanwhile was making his usual steady start, coming through 12th at the end of the first lap.
He rapidly cut through the field and whilst Hammond moved to the front, Killeen never let him out of his sights and, on the fourth lap, having relegated Oldham to third, he joined the race leader and the classy pair began to open a gap at the head of the field.
Oldham held on right to the finish, only losing the odd second per lap but it soon became obvious that whilst he was probably going to pick up a medal, it wouldn't be gold or silver.
Killeen clearly planned to pressure Hammond on the course's more technical sections and was soon leading the race and threatening to open a gap of his own. However, although Hammond was in trouble at times, he stuck to his task and never looked like being dropped.
Liam Killeen worked hard to distance Roger Hammond but was unable to shake the former World Cyclo-Cross champion.
The last lap saw Hammond move back to the front of the race, perhaps keen to prevent a late surge by Killeen and it looked a clever tactic as his sprint is a considerable weapon. The pair duly turned onto the finish straight and Hammond was able to hold off Killeen and claim a record breaking fourth title.
Oldham was third less than 20 seconds down. Jody Crawforth rode a consistent race, never out of the top six and in the closing stages he worked himself clear of Dan Booth - who had a storming ride - to claim fourth, with Booth fifth. Behind them Ian Wilkinson, short of racing this winter, climbed through the field to sixth, with a disappointed Rob Jebb in seventh - Jebb had been on for a top five result until a displaced and jammed chain cost him time and dropped him two places in the closing stages.
Rider Reactions
Roger Hammond: Roger’s first reaction to winning the title was “I’m happy”. When we put it to him Sutton Park has been kind to him after wins here before, he replied “I’m not sure about that. You’ll have to ask Barrie (Clarke) and Nicky Craig about that. There was seven years when I couldn’t win round here.”
On the race in 2008, Roger says “Liam was too strong. I feel a bit bad really because I’m not entirely sure I deserved it because Liam is a really good rider. He was going twice as fast as me and heard Garry Foord telling me to go through and do a turn but there was no point because I’d just slow him down. There were a few times where he gapped me and I had to fight back. This is only my third race of the season so I have some power but no skills. I was hanging on for grim death for four laps. If he had gone half a k an hour faster he would have dropped me.”
“He kind of blew himself towards the finish a bit and thought I had to get in front of him before the corners on the last lap and I think I only did that because I think the last lap was the slowest! Liam had a few digs but I knew that from the bottom corner there was no way you could get round any one. It was dead turn and you had to get it right. I thought Liam would have a run at me before it actually but he didn’t so thanks Liam!”
Liam Killeen: We have a video interview with Liam which will be posted soon here on British Cycling.
Paul Oldham: “That was the best result in the nationals ever. I had second as an under 23 but I always seem to get it wrong for the nationals. I had a few problems early on on some technical bits where I had to put my foot down and they got a gap. I managed to hold them though but couldn’t get back to them. I have been to Belgium all Christmas and got on all right over there. It’s been a good season up and I’m looking forward to Derby.”
1. Roger Hammond Team High Road Sports Elite 0 56 31 0 0
2. Liam Killeen Specialized Factory Racing Elite 0 56 32 0 1
3. Paul Oldham Hope Factory Racing Elite 0 56 51 0 20
4. Jody Crawforth Evans Cycles RT Elite 0 57 12 0 41
5. Daniel Booth Pedal Power Loughborough Elite 0 57 27 0 56
6. Ian Wilkinson Science in Sport/Trek Elite 0 57 38 1 7
Stuart Bowers who needed a top 17 finish to help Hargroves Cycles win the overall team title, gets a blinder of a start to lead the field up the hill to the finish line and the start of the race. Stuart finished 14th and Hargroves won the club title.
Liam Killeen (2nd), Roger Hammond (1st and Paul Oldham 3rd.
Team title winners (Lewis Craven, David Haygarth, Rob Jebb), Wheelbase who were lead home by Rob Jebb (right).
Third title for Wyman
Isla Rowntree (3rd), Helen Wyman (1st) and Gabby Day (2nd)
Earlier in the day, Helen Wyman confidently defended her women's title with a strong ride. Always a strong favourite for the title, Wyman was given a boot by the news that former champion Louise Robinson wouldn't make the start due to illness. However, once the race got underway Wyman was soon into her stride at the front of the field.
She was briefly headed by team-mate Gabby Day, who showed aggressive intent early in the race. However, a remarkable third lap, when she gained a half minute on the rest of the field, was Wyman's decisive contribution to the race and after that she was able to cruise in to win by almost a minute and half from Day.
Isla Rowntree took the bronze medal after a steady start and a classy ride through the field. A brief battle with Annie Last looked interesting, and the pair traded mini-attacks for a lap or so, but Rowntree eventually had too much for the Junior rider and was a minute clear of her at the end. Last took the Junior title, with whilst Louise Day was the veteran category winner.
Rider Reactions
Helen Wyman: “This third one feels just as good as the others. Gabby is such good starter which she has showed this year and I was happy to sit behind her on the first bit. Then I came past her to try and drag us clear of the others but my chain was playing up and I had to go into the pits so Gabby got a bit of gap on me.”
“Gabby rode really really well. My ride was good but I haven’t raced since just after Christmas when we did four races in one week and had a little rest. I felt really fresh and there is a lot more to come and three weeks to get it (before the Cyclo-Cross Worlds).”
On whether it was icy out there, Helen replied, “not really. Just one small section up hill so that didn’t make any difference. The course was fast and hard. I remember last time we were here there was a section I managed to put time into them and it was just as hard this time.”
Isla Rowntree “I had a steady start and a bit short of the speed and the racing but am absolutely delighted with the medal. I was hoping for a top 5 if it well so really chuffed with the medal. The course was a little bit smoother today and faster but also more slippery which made it more technically challenging. It rides beautifully and is a great course.”
On the kids races which she was sponsoring, she explained “To see so many was fantastic. The kids side of the sport has exploded in the last few years building on the hard work of the Go-Ride clubs and they are seeing the fruits of their labour now. To see so many racing in the sunshine was really great.”
On her range of bikes she does especially for kids, Isla told us “we specialise in quality children’s bikes. Three things that set ours apart from most of what is available is they are much lighter, we pay a lot of attention to detail with the components so the kids can reach the brakes for example and it’s a light action, and we also make sure we use quality components like sealed bearings. They have been very well received and it was lovely to see so many out here competing in a sport I love and have put my life into.”
Gabby Day: “I had a really good start and was quite good on the two technical sections and was gaining on Helen. When Helen attacked me on the roads, I couldn’t go with her though, she’s just too strong. I felt quite strong and was a lot better than last years race. My legs still didn’t feel 100 per cent but I’m happy with the form and gave it everything I had.”
1. Helen Wyman Swift Racing Woman 40 18 0 0
2. Gabriella Day Swift Racing Woman 41 38 1 20
3. Isla Rowntree Stourbridge CC/Wrap/CY Electrical Woman 42 25 2 7
4. Annie Last (J) Matlock CC/Impsport/Farmers/Wards Woman 43 24 3 6
5. Jessica Roberts Team Chance Woman 44 4 3 46
6. Corinne Hall (J) Twickenham CC Woman 44 37 4 19
Junior Women winners, Rebecca Thompson (3rd), Annie Last (1st) and Corrine Hall (2nd)
Veteran winners from the womens race, Lynn Bland (3rd), Louise Day (1st), Nicky Hughes (2nd)
Left: Helen Wyman wins her title for the third time whilst Isla Rowntree recovered from a steady start to work her way through the field to win the bronze medal.
Helen Wyman, defending champions, turns the heat up on Gabby Day and starts to draw away.
Annie Last on her way to winning the Junior Women's title.
Gabby Day (left) gets away from the line quickest.
Junior Title Race
Andrew Williams (2nd), Alex Paton (1st) and Hamish Creber (3rd).
Will Verney was amongst the riders to show well early in the race, but Paton really set off as though he meant business, much as he had one in winning the Bradford National Trophy event last month. Williams soon joined him at the front of the race and from then on hardly a wheel length seperated them as they put in a series of very fast laps. Williams has been improving all season and clearly had the upper hand on the tarmac sections, whilst Paton was the more technically convincing.
Just when it looked like it might be settled in a sprint, Paton finally sealed the win by forcing a small gap on the last lap, but it had been a fine battle. Hamish Creber came through to claim third and looked to be the fastest rider on the course in the closing stages as he vainly chased the leaders. Seb Batchelor was fourth and Will Verney fifth.
Alex Paton: “That was the hardest race this season but the most rewarding. I wasn’t expecting the battle I had with Andrew. He has been strong in the last few races and I was expecting him to come on a bit but he had me on the ropes a few times. I was sort of in control of the race though and just looked after myself, making the most of the mistakes he made.”
“I had a steady start to the season and gradually progressed through the winter. I had a tough mountain bike season last year so took it steady to begin with and this was a good result today. Hopefully, I have done enough to get selected for the Worlds.”
Andy Williams: “We put a lot of pressure on each other during the race and got away from the other riders. I crashed at one point and messed my gears up so am happy with the result today. Technically, I didn’t find it too bad today, a lot better than I found other courses. This is my best result in a cyclo-cross race so far so I’m really chuffed.”
Hamish Creber: “I am really pleased with the bronze medal. Cyclo-Cross isn’t really my thing so I’m really chuffed with it. I am quite surprised with it as I wasn’t really expecting it. I am quite good at the longer races so that worked to my advantage towards the end and the course worked to my advantage because it was dry and fast and quite technical so my mountain bike skills came in handy there. I think the technical work and physical training I get in the Olympic Development Programme both helped me. In the woods for example, the mountain bike work I have done helped me get away whilst the physical fitness helped me keep that lead.”
1. Alex Paton VC Deal/Activ/Hammond/Rowland Junior 36 47 0 0
2. Andrew Williams Cwmcarn Paragon RC Junior 36 57 0 10
3. Hamish Creber Sandy Wallace Cycles Junior 37 10 0 23
4. Sebastian Batchelor Sandy Wallace Cycles Junior 37 42 0 55
5. William Verney Felt Racing Junior 37 57 1 10
6. David Nichols Glendene CC/Bike Trax Junior 38 51 2 4
Alex Paton (left) wins his second Junior title.
Alex Paton and Ben Roach (middle of picture) get away well at the start.
Lap 1, and Alex Paton leads Ben Roach.
William Verney leads the chasers on lap 1 with Andrew Williams third in line before being the only one to make his way back up to Paton where he challenged the defending champion for the title.
Williams gets to Paton and promptly attacks him before they get to the woods.
Alex Paton works hard to try and get away from Andrew Williams.
IslaBikes Under 12s & Under 10's Races
A really big field of riders lined up in the park for these two races sponsored by 'Cross legend Isla Rowntree. We'll have pictures of these later.
An icy start to the day and the Under 12's get ready for their race.
We'll have more on the day's action, including interviews and images (including
Islabikes Under 10 and Under 12 non-championship races) shortly.
| RESULTS |
Men's Championship
1. Roger Hammond Team High Road Sports Elite 0 56 31 0 0
2. Liam Killeen Specialized Factory Racing Elite 0 56 32 0 1
3. Paul Oldham Hope Factory Racing Elite 0 56 51 0 20
4. Jody Crawforth Evans Cycles RT Elite 0 57 12 0 41
5. Daniel Booth Pedal Power Loughborough Elite 0 57 27 0 56
6. Ian Wilkinson Science in Sport/Trek Elite 0 57 38 1 7
7. Rob Jebb Wheelbase/Gore Bike Wear Elite 0 57 40 1 9
8. David Collins Science in Sport/Trek Elite 0 58 7 1 36
9. Nick Craig Team Scott UK Elite 0 58 8 1 37
10. Lewis Craven Wheelbase/Gore Bike Wear Elite 0 58 9 1 38
11. Jim Bryan Ace RT/Impsport/Zepnat Elite 0 58 41 2 10
12. Paul Rowney Equipe Velo Ecosse/Montpeliers Elite 0 58 42 2 11
13. Duncan Jamieson Felt Racing Elite 0 58 43 2 12
14. Stuart Bowers Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Specialized Elite 0 58 44 2 13
15. Jamie Newall Evans Cycles RT Elite 0 58 58 2 27
16. William Bjergfelt Kona UK/Paligap Elite 0 59 26 2 55
17. Simon Richardson Plowman Craven/Evans Cycles RT Elite 0 59 48 3 17
18. Carl Sturgeon Retrobike.co.uk Elite 1 0 55 4 24
19. Stuart Wearmouth Picarsso-Pulman RT Elite 1 1 12 4 41
20. Nathan Miller 53-12 Multisports Elite 1 2 1 5 30
21. Lee Shunburne Matlock CC/Impsport/Farmers/Wards Elite 1 2 5 5 34
22. Ben Eedy South Pennine RC Elite 1 2 28 5 57
23. Keith Murray Wheelspincycles.com/Scott Elite 1 2 33 6 2
24. Darren Barclay Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT Elite 1 2 36 6 5
25. Matthew Barrett Lutterworth Cycles RT Elite 1 2 39 6 8
26. Steve Lampier Individual Member Elite 1 2 46 6 15
27. Paul Prince Wyre Forest CRC/Fabricolor/TMWC Elite 1 2 48 6 17
28. Shaun Aldous Interbike RT/Schils/The Essex/Boyer Elite 1 2 49 6 18
29. Gary Wearmouth Picarsso-Pulman RT Elite 1 2 50 6 19
30. David Haygarth Wheelbase/Gore Bike Wear Elite 1 2 52 6 21
31. Allister Tulett Arctic-Shorter Rochford RT Elite 1 2 56 6 25
32. James Furniss Ace RT/Impsport/Zepnat Elite 1 3 2 6 31
33. Dave Brailsford Horwich CC Elite 1 3 8 6 37
34. Scott Rose Wheelspincycles.com/Scott Elite 1 3 54 7 23
35. Daniel Lewis RAF CC Elite 1 4 7 7 36
36. Vin Cox Team Cyclo-Cross.com Elite 1 4 16 7 45
37. Tom Haines Leics Constabulary CC Elite 1 4 17 7 46
38. Peter Goode Royal Sutton CC Elite at 1 lap
39. Matthew Spurgin Evans Cycles RT Elite at 1 lap
40. Michael Warner Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Specialized Elite at 1 lap
41. Leigh Fearn Matlock CC/Impsport/Farmers/Wards Elite at 1 lap
42. Mark Leyland Wyre Forest CRC/Fabricolor/TMWC Elite at 1 lap
43. Stuart McGhee Evans Cycles RT Elite at 1 lap
44. Anthony Morris Individual Member Elite at 1 lap
45. Hugo Hocknell Angliasport/Pro-vision Elite at 1 lap
46. Michael Groves Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/Specialized Elite at 1 lap
47. Christopher Moores Norwood Paragon CC Elite at 1 lap
48. Daniel Goode Royal Sutton CC Elite at 1 lap
49. Robert Wimble Zepnat Racing Team Elite at 1 lap50. Craig Ansell Wolverhampton Whs/Fred Williams Elite at 1 lap
51. Elliot Dinsdale Wyre Forest CRC/Fabricolor/TMWC Elite at 1 lap
52. Christopher Ansell Team Corridori Elite at 1 lap
53. Vince Potter Wheelspincycles.com/Scott Elite at 1 lap
54. Ben Spashett XRT/Elmy Cycles Elite at 1 lap
55. Andrew Dilkes VC Meudon Elite at 1 lap
56. Jason Hawkins Coventry RC/Ridecov.co.uk Elite at 1 lap
57. Neil Stevens VC Norwich/Fitt Signs Elite at 1 lap
58. Ian Daws Swindon Wheelers Elite at 1 lap
TEAMS
1 Wheelbase 47
2 Evans Cycles RT 58
3 Hargroves Cycles 100
4 Wheelspin Cycles 110
5 Wyre Forest CRC 120
Women
1. Helen Wyman Swift Racing Woman 40 18 0 0
2. Gabriella Day Swift Racing Woman 41 38 1 20
3. Isla Rowntree Stourbridge CC/Wrap/CY Electrical Woman 42 25 2 7
4. Annie Last (J) Matlock CC/Impsport/Farmers/Wards Woman 43 24 3 6
5. Jessica Roberts Team Chance Woman 44 4 3 46
6. Corinne Hall (J) Twickenham CC Woman 44 37 4 19
7. Eileen Roe Dunfermline CC Woman 45 50 5 32
8. Marie Stuart Team Chance Woman 46 14 5 56
9. Jen Ives Interbike RT/Schils/The Essex/Boyer Woman 46 41 6 23
10. Femke van Schelven Fat Birds CC Woman 46 56 6 38
11. Nina Davies Ogmore Valley Whs. Woman 47 5 6 47
12. Rebecca Thompson (J) Evans Cycles RT Woman 47 18 7 0
13. Louise Day (V) Fat Birds CC Woman 47 45 7 27
14. Heather Dawe Crosstrax Woman 47 47 7 29
15. Lisa Parsons Welland Valley CC Woman 47 48 7 30
16. Claire Hall Swindon RC Woman 47 52 7 34
17. Nicky Hughes (V) Activ Cycles Folkestone Woman 49 40 9 22
18. Lynn Bland (V) Norton Wheelers Woman at 1 lap
19. Jill Postlethwaite(V) Welland Valley CC Woman at 1 lap
20. Gaye Taylor (V) Welland Valley CC Woman at 1 lap
21. Andrea Halman Peterborough CC Woman at 1 lap
22. Chloe Parrington www.Agiskoviner.com Woman at 1 lap
Junior
1. Alex Paton VC Deal/Activ/Hammond/Rowland Junior 36 47 0 0
2. Andrew Williams Cwmcarn Paragon RC Junior 36 57 0 10
3. Hamish Creber Sandy Wallace Cycles Junior 37 10 0 23
4. Sebastian Batchelor Sandy Wallace Cycles Junior 37 42 0 55
5. William Verney Felt Racing Junior 37 57 1 10
6. David Nichols Glendene CC/Bike Trax Junior 38 51 2 4
7. Tom Payton Stourbridge CC/Wrap/CY Electrical Junior 39 20 2 33
8. Michael Butler VC Deal/Activ/Hammond/Rowland Junior 39 26 2 39
9. George Atkins Merlin RT Junior 39 33 2 46
10. Ewan Clark Drumlanrig.com/Rik's Bike Shed Junior 40 54 4 7
11. Thomas Lowe Go Spex Sports RT Junior 40 56 4 9
12. Gareth James Abergavenny RC/Lane/Govilon/Bikebase Junior 41 0 4 13
13. Jack Salt Leicestershire RC Junior 41 55 5 8
14. Thomas Humphrys Team de Ver/Neovite Junior 42 12 5 25
15. Robert Watson Paul Milnes/Bradford Olympic RC Junior 43 6 6 19
16. Will Bushby Obricoaching RT Junior 44 8 7 21
17. Lawrence Frost Ashfield RC Junior 44 17 7 30
18. Jordan Hook South Pennine RC Junior 44 20 7 33
19. Robin Smith Stourbridge CC/Wrap/CY Electrical Junior 44 47 8 0
20. Jeremy Hicks Rugby Velo Junior 45 13 8 26
21. Alex Bellinger Wigmore CC Junior 45 25 8 38
22. Alex Jones Wolverhampton Whs CC/Williams Junior 45 27 8 40
23. Tim Rowson DCM-GB Vorselaar Cycling Team Junior 46 24 9 37
24. Kristian Morris Welland Valley CC Junior at 1 lap
25. Ben Goddard Newport Shropshire CC Junior at 1 lap
Club Team's Championship
1. Hargroves Cycles
2. MI Racing
3. Stourbridge CC
4. Evans Cycles
5. Ipswich BC
6. Matlock CC
7. Interbike RT
8. Welland Valley CC
9. Abergavenny RC
10. South Pennine RC
11. Rugby Velo
12. Leicestershire RC
13. Halesowen
13. Heanor Clarion
15. Swindon RC
16. Ashfield RC
17. Coventry RC
18. Wolverhampton Whs.
19. Maldon & District
19. VC Meudon