Notts and Derby Cross League Round 13

Sherwood CC, Watchwood, Notts
Sunday 20 January 2008
Report: Trevor Adams

Following a break for the National Championships and the final round of the National Trophy, the Notts and Derby League resumed with Round 13, promoted by Sherwood CC at Watchwood in Notts.

Despite a dire weather forecast, the day dawned warm and dry and it stayed that way, the forecasted rain not arriving until after dark. The venue, which was last used five years ago, contains a mixture of fire road, woodland tracks and some twisty singletrack through the woods. The course is mostly well drained, although there was some mud on the track adjacent to the A614. The meeting attracted good quality fields, with four recently crowned national champions taking part and riders prepared to travel from as far afield as Stourbridge and Yorkshire. The senior race was also boosted by the junior men's team for the forthcoming World Championships and by the Women's Olympic Development MTB Squad.

First up were the Under 10's with 26 riders taking part. It was a testing course, especially for the younger riders. Charlotte Broughton (Cyclo-cross.com) got away on her own late in the race to take the victory from William Gascoyne (Heanor Clarion) and Elliott Dudley (Sherwood Pines). The Under 12's race came down to a sprint between Heanor's James Shaw and Matlock's Arthur Green, with Shaw getting the verdict. Grace Garner (Leicester Off-road Club) was 1st girl in 3rd place.

National U14 champion Sam Lowe (Go Sports Spex RT) dominated the youth race on a tough course which included the under 12's loop, some single track, a dismount over a fallen tree, two short but steep climbs and a tricky descent. Tom Young (Leicester Off Road Club) was 2nd and National U14 girls champion Lucy Garner was 3rd.

A field of over 80 riders took the start in the senior race and they looked an impressive sight as they thundered along the fire road doing 25+ mph. Seb Batchelor (Sandy Wallace Cycles) led them away with Stephen Adams (Pearl Izumi- High 5) tucked in 2nd place and Andrew Williams (Cwmcarn Paragon) and Alex Paton (VC Deal) both well placed. Off the fire road and into the woods in one long line, then a fast descent to a tricky corner, where some struggled to get the right line. A long chase along a muddy track and then back onto the youth course to complete the lap.

At the end of the first lap, Adams had a small lead from Batchelor and Williams. Ben Eedy (South Pennine RC) wasn't far behind, then came James Furness (Ace RT), Hamish Creber (Sandy Wallace Cycles) and Rob Parkin (Heanor Clarion). Paton had suffered a puncture which dropped him down the standings.

Lap 3 and Batchelor and Williams had caught Adams. Batchelor was looking particularly strong and doing big turns on the front. The leading trio were starting to pull away from the chasers. Ben Eedy was chasing alone in 4th spot.

Lap 4 and Adams had managed to drop his companions again to take a small lead. Batchelor and Williams were still together and Eedy was still in 4th, although now being hunted down by Furness. With a lap to go , Adams held a 20 second lead over a Batchelor, who had managed to get rid of Williams. Adams held on to take the win by 12 seconds from Batchelor, with Williams taking 3rd at 47 secs, Eedy 4th at 2.22 and Furness 5th at 2.35. Annabel Simpson was 1st girl in 40th place, with Rebecca Thompson not far behind. National junior champion Annie Last was delayed by a loose saddle. Jonathon Marshall (Belper BC) was 1st veteran in 9th place.

For Stephen Adams, it was a welcome return to form after recent illness and nice to have a trouble free ride after the problems he suffered at Sutton Park. It also felt good to win his "home" round. He is still a 2nd claim member of the promoting club and helped design the course. For the juniors it was a good workout, prior to next week's world title race and they look to be in good form, filling three of the top six places.

The league now moves onto Derby, with the next round at Allestree Park on February 2nd promoted by Belper BC. The final round will be at a new venue, now confirmed as Bulwell Hall Park and will be promoted by Beauvale CC on February 9th 2008 - see www.ndcxl.org for more details.

Results

Dovedale Damp Co Senior race (S/J/V/W)

1 Stephen Adams (Pearl Izumi - High 5)
2 Sebastian Batchelor (Sandy Wallace Cycles)
3 Andrew Williams (Cwmcarn Paragon)
4 Ben Eedy (South Pennine RC)
5 James Furness (Ace RT)
6 Hamish Creber (Sandy Wallace Cycles)
7 Rob Parkin (Heanor Clarion)
8 Tom Payton (Stourbridge CC)
9 Jonathan Marshall (Belper BC)
10 Mathew Danby (Aire Valley)

1 vet Jonathon Marshall
1 jun Sebastian Batchelor
1 lady Annabel Simpson (Team Chance)

Prestige Storage and Partitioning Youth Race

1 Sam Lowe (Go Sports Spex RT)
2 Tom Young (LORC)
3 Lucy Garner (LORC)
4 Kieron Tennyson (Heanor Clarion)
5 Sam Broughton (LORC)
6 Joe Kirkham (VC Long Eaton)

1 U14 Sam Lowe
1 Girl Lucy Garner

Zepnat.com Under 12's Race

1 James Shaw (Heanor Clarion)
2 Arthur Green (Matlock CC)
3 Grace Garner (LORC)
4 Patrick Hughes (Sherwood CC)
5 Sarah Lomas (Matlock CC)
6 Declan Tennyson (Heanor Clarion)

1 girl Grace Garner

Zepnat.com Under 10's race

1 Charlotte Broughton (Cyclocross.com)
2 William Gascoyne (Heanor Clarion)
3 Elliott Dudley (Sherwood Pines Cycles)
4 Louis Gray-Blest (Bulwell Outlaws)
5 Joshua Waters (Mercia CC)
6 Scott Hookway (Sherwood CC)