Madison Finale For Yorkshire 'Cross

 

YCCA End of Season Madison

3 Feb 2008, SBCI Cricket Club

Images: Matt Dalby www.mattdalby.co.uk | Report: Phil Ingham

The Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross season came to a low-key but hugely enjoyable conclusion with the popular End of Season Madison, held at the SBCI Cricket ground, close to Sowerby Bridge on the outskirts of Halifax.

A cold wind whipped across the high and exposed venue as the riders signed on. Facing them was a short, 3-minute lap looping round the edge of the cricket field and across the adjacent grassland. A short but steep bank two thirds of the way round the lap was the only significant technical obstacle, though many of the corners required care.

The "seeding committee" divided the field into two groups, based on age, experience and ability, with the aim of producing pairings of similar standard. Ten laps lay ahead of each team, with the partners taking alternate laps.

Off the start line it was the class riders in the field, Noel Clough and father and son Chris and Paul Young who were soon jockeying for the lead. Half way round the first lap Andy Whitworth and Phil Ingham briefly joined the trio at the front, but a clash on the run in to a tight left-hander saw Whitworth sandwiched between Ingham and Clough and, with nowhere to go, he went down hard.

Happily the soft conditions prevented any damage and Andy was soon up and running again and he and his son, Tom, comfortably the youngest rider in the race, forged on unbothered. At the finish Tom was given the biggest cheer of the day after a very competent effort in testing conditions for the younger riders.

Talking of younger riders, whilst Noel Clough and the Youngs battled with each other, the talented Barnes brothers - Nick an under-14 and Chris an under-12 - were taking control of the race: smoothly keeping out of trouble, they went on to record a convincing victory.

Despite a national trophy win and a top ten at the Vets' worlds in the last couple of weeks, Noel Clough had to endure some tough talking from his determined under-12 partner, Joe Parker, for letting the Barnes brothers get away. Indeed, the more experienced riders in general found that their younger partners were demanding nothing less than 100% commitment from them.

Clough and Parker went on to finish second, with Paul Young and partner Edwin Evans just getting the better of Chris Young and Brian Barrett for third. Whilst the results were collated the riders retired to the excellent clubhouse for tea, and pie and peas, whilst the younger riders eagerly re-lived the race and teased their older partners. The day drew to a close with a lively presentation ceremony.

Results

1. N Barnes & C Barnes
2. N Clough & J Parker
3. P Young & E Evans
4. C Young & B Barrett
5. B Parker & L Barry
6. P Ingham & T Critchley-Mack
7. G Piccavey &
8. A Cooper & L Saleem
9. P Smith & Carol Barry
10. S Mills & Clare Crabtree
11. R Crabtree & Alice Evans
12. S Tinker & F Rothwell
13. T Evans & M Barry
14. P Hamilton & C Parker
15. C Moses & Rebecca Bishop
16. A Whitworth & T Whitworth

 

Missing names - email to: pressoffice@britishcycling.org.uk