Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Round 2: Devon

 

Sunday 5 October 2008; Bicton Arena

Images: Richard Robotham

Report: Vin Cox

Youtube Video of Men's Race: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=m2zwEK9wy6E

 

Link: Results & Series Standings Page

The elite and under-23 men get off the line

 

The second round of the 2008-9 Cyclo-Cross National Trophy took competitors south to Bicton Arena, near Exeter, a venue new to the series. Many riders made a weekend of it despite racing only being on Sunday - so there were reports of visits to windswept beaches and plenty of people inspecting the circuit on Saturday. In contrast to the heat and dry under-wheel conditions of the first round, two weeks previously, it was an altogether tougher venue for the riders. However, initial reactions to the course were very heartening with comments such as "Awesome!" from leading British elite riders, and a "Tres Bon Circuit" from Nicolas Bazin.

The cavalry charge at the start of the Youth race

The action got underway with the Youth race on Sunday morning. Max Sykes and Joshua Papworth were the strong men from the off, but they had intermittent company from others as they varied the pace testing one another. Hugo Robinson rode the most consistent of races behind Sykes and Papworth, but it was clear these two were putting their young tactical heads to work and would be deciding the race. Hugh Porter commentated breathlessly on an increasingly exciting tussle which had all the crowd asking each other who they favoured for the sprint. Most would bet on Papworth with his great talent and experience in other disciplines, and indeed he was able to pip Sykes for the win in the closest finish of the day - half a wheel in it!

Even during the short Youth race, there was plenty of action in the pits

Next to assemble on the start line were the Veteran class racers. Local (ish) rider Andy Shaw had a rocket of a start, initially matched by the usually slow starting Chris Young. Series leader Noel Clough took the yellow jersey into second place as they left the start straight and Geoff Giddings - defending series champion - moved through on his wheel.

Noel Clough leads Geoff Giddings mid-race

 

Shaw started to pay for his fast start as the first lap drew to an end, dropping back leaving Giddings and Clough in the lead. As Chris Young closed in on third, the leaders suddenly split. Giddings profiting from a slip by Clough had an advantage he was determined to press on with. Giddings maintained 30 minutes of racing without more than a 20 second lead, but took that small lead all the way to the finish line and won. Clough held off another challenge coming up from behind him; Chris Young who took 3rd.

Eventual winner Peter Wilkin leads Roy Hunt in the over-50 race

In the over 50+ category, Peter Wilkin was matching the moves of the usually dominant Roy Hunt. They stuck together for most of the race. Eventually, a final lap surge by Wilkin saw what seemed like history being made, Hunt being beaten in a 50+ race!

The course was holding up to the punishment of all those riders despite the weather. In fact, it was bedding in. The racing line was smoothing down. Horses usually use Bicton Arena, which accounts for both the ample spectator facilities and the occasionally bumpy ground which the competitors had to deal with.

The Junior race followed next with the women a few minutes behind. For the first time in the day we were treated to some totally dominant performances. Once the initial madness of the opening lap was over, Oliver Webster moved into the lead and lapped consistently faster than his rivals to take his first win of the series. Behind Webster, David Nichols held off the winner of the first round, Daniel McLay by a handful of seconds to claim second.

Dan McLay and Tom Moses, the top two juniors from round 1 couldn't get close to the front this time.....

.....but Oli Webster did, riding away to claim the win

 

Gabby Day produced a smooth, powerful, and skilful performance to win the women's race. Junior Woman Ruby Miller rivalled Gabby for the first lap, but as the winner of the first round upped the pace Ruby dropped back into a battle with Sue Clarke for second and third. In the end Clarke's strength and experience told and she was able to open a gap of almost half a minute over her young rival at the finish.

Gabriella Day leads the women away

Day went on to claim the win

 

The build up to the Elite race had been fantastic, and a good crowd of local enthusiasts - brought out thanks to a feature on the ITV local news - as well as riders' support crews, were treated to the grand sight of series leader Ian Field and fifty other top male riders charging up the start straight and on to the grass in the main race of the afternoon. Hugh Porter built up the excitement and sustained it as the laps went by and the race developed.

Early in the race, Jody Crawforth leads from Paul Oldham

 

The first significant move of the race came when a seven strong lead group formed, with Paul Oldham and Jody Crawforth at its head. The group also contained Field, Collins, Wilkinson, and the two overseas riders, Bazin and Willemsens. Crawforth moved forward to take his turn pushing the pace, and the stress was clear on the faces of some in that group. Rob Jebb, winner of last week's Three Peaks race, joined the lead group to swell it to eight strong.

Bazin of France took over the pace setting after Crawforth and an injection of extra speed broke the group: Bazin rode clear while Wilkinson dropped back and joined Stuart Wearmouth chasing behind. Willemsens spotted the danger and chased Bazin so hard he too went clear, leaving five Englishmen chasing the French and Belgian visitors.

Nicolas Bazin leads David Willemsens after the two of them had broken free - whilst Dave Collins smiles in the cold at the start

 

As the lead pair joined together, Jody Crawforth was the man forcing the pursuit and soon he too was starting to move clear. Collins and Field responded to Crawforth, and Field clearly decided this was the time to attack - he swept through into a clear 3rd place and started to close on the lead pair. However, as the last lap began, Field was still 25 seconds behind and unlikely to be involved in the sprint, whilst Crawforth was set in 4th spot.

David Willemsens takes the win

 

In the final minute of the race, David Willemsens used all his strength and skilfully powered up "Derby Bank" fractionally faster than Frenchman Bazin. It was a perfect attack, and there was too little time for Bazin to counter as they descended "Derby Drop" and headed for the finish. Bazin didn't give up, but Willemsens took the last corner cleanly and sprinted for the line just clear of Bazin to claim the win.

Scott Thwaites was top under-23 again

 

In the under-23 year old sub-category Scott Thwaites took the win in a tight race with Anthony O'Boyle, strengthening his hold on the series lead.

Ian Field now takes the yellow jersey of leader in the Elite men's class right over to the other side of the country for round 3 of the National Trophy in Ipswich - Chantry Park, being the venue on 26 October. After the weather contrast between round 1 in Abergavenny and round two here in Bicton, what changes will this venue due to hold the European Championships serve up in 3 weeks time?
___________________________________________________________

Post-Race Rider Reactions

Youths:

Max Sykes 2nd place: "I tried attacking. The others would drop off but Josh was right on my wheel all the time. I couldn't get rid of him. I knew we were going to sprint it out... and he only just got around me. I keep the yellow jersey - so that's good."

Joshua Papworth Winner: "We couldn't get rid of each other. He attacked me, I attacked him. We're so close. I was happy to go for the sprint though, and it paid off; even if it was only by half a wheel."

Veterans:

Vets' podium - Noel Clough, Geoff Giddings and Chris Young

 

Jeff Giddings winner: "I was just waiting for the mud to come. I go fast when it's muddy, simple as that. I got ahead because Noel made a little mistake on an off camber bank and had to get off. Then I thought 'game on!', I jumped as hard as I could and hung out there just 10 or 15 seconds ahead for most of the race. Ah what a beautiful course though! It's the best course out there."

Noel Clough: "I felt so tired today. Maybe it's the effects of last week in the three peaks. I've got a very big commute; 60 miles riding a day. That's usually good for me but maybe it's not let me recover. I'll be back though."

Peter Wilkin 50+ winner: "I knew I was strong after breaking the 50+record at the three peaks last week. I'm a fell runner most of the time, but I've been training on the bike with Noel Clough a lot too and I'm strong, but maybe I don't have that much speed; so I needed the rain and mud. I doubt I'd win in the dry."

Junior

Oliver Webster winner: "It was lovely. I liked the course yesterday when I practiced, but I didn't know I'd have this in me today. I didn't have to attack, I just rode away."

Women

Women's Podium - Sue Clarke, Gabriella Day and Ruby Miller

 

Gabby Day winner: "It was good. I wasn't sure about the circuit before, but when I got racing I had a great time. You've got to push hard all the time on this sort of course, which suits me. It was slippery on the surface, but not overly technical. Ruby was riding really strongly and got a good start, but I was away by the end of the first lap. After that, I knew Ruby and Sue were having a good battle behind; I just had to stay good up front for the win."

Elite men

David Willemsens winner: "Pretty hard! I won it on the steep bank. I knew I was a bit faster on that technical bit of the track, and when you have a couple of metres on the last lap and come into the last corner first you are the winner.
In the second lap, Nicolas had got away and I was behind other riders. It was hard to chase him down, but I could stay with him comfortably enough. He was very strong though."

Ian Field, left, in series leader's jersey and winner David Willemsens 

 

Nicolas Bazin 2nd place: "I've enjoyed this a lot. David was very strong. I wanted to swap to my other bike for better tyres but David had the pace so high I couldn't. It's an excellent course and I've had such a good reception here in Devon. I hope I can come back next year."

Ian Field 3rd: "I picked up maximum points for the series. That's good. Being able to perform like this in the Trophy series is how I need to be if I'm to win the national championships. I've never won a national 'cross title. This year I want the national championships really bad. When those two got away, I was stuck back in the group, and I didn't want to go charging off early on. I've got to think about the overall title. My legs came good later in the race and I was catching them, but they saw me coming and had it under control."

Scott Thwaites 1st U23: "It was a close race until the last two laps. Ben Roach was up there early on and I had quite a steady start. Anthony put in a strong attack mid-race and got away for a while, but I got back to him and put in my own hard lap to get away. I just had to hold it for the last lap to win."

Action from the under-12 race

 

Results (Provisional)

Elite Men/Under23

1 David Willemsens Belgium 59 m 52 s  
2 Nicolas Bazin Differdange Apiflo Vacances @ 3 s   
3 Ian Field Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI @ 25 s   
4 Jody Crawforth Arctic - Premier RT @ 39 s   
5 Paul Oldham Hope Factory Racing @ 1 m 5 s 
6 Rob Jebb Wheelbase/Gore Bike Wear @ 1 m 47 s 
7 David Collins Science in Sport - Trek @ 2 m 30 s 
8 Stuart Wearmouth Picarsso-Pulman RT @ 2 m 43 s 
9 Stuart Bowers Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI @ 2 m 48 s 
10 Lee Williams Abergavenny RC/Lane/Govilon/Bikebase @ 3 m 26 s 
11 William Bjergfelt Felt Racing @ 3 m 42 s 
12 Ian Wilkinson Science in Sport -Trek @ 4 m 22 s 
13 Duncan Jamieson Felt Racing @ 4 m 35 s 
14 Scott Thwaites Crosstrax @ 5 m 26 s 
15 Ian Legg Owens Cycles @ 6 m 52 s 
16 Ben Eedy South Pennine RC @ 7 m 9 s 
17 Lee Shunburne Matlock CC/Impsport/Farmers/Wards @ 7 m 16 s 
18 Tim Baldwin Paul Milnes/Bradford Olympic RC @ 7 m 27 s 
19 Nathan Miller Lotto Olympia Team Interbike @ 7 m 50 s 
20 Anthony O'Boyle Cwmcarn Paragon RC @ 7 m 54 s 
21 Matt Holmes Arctic - Premier RT @ 7 m 58 s 
22 Tom Payton Wyre Forest CRC/Fabricolor/DWT Legal @ 8 m 19 s 
23 Michael Warner Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI @ 8 m 32 s 
24 Scott Chalmers John's Bikes RT @ 8 m 36 s 
25 David Haygarth Wheelbase/Gore Bike Wear @ 8 m 46 s 
26 Jonathan Watson UKCycleshops.com/Fat Spanner @ 9 m 11 s 
27 Ben Roach Wyre Forest CRC/Fabricolor/DWT Legal @ 9 m 47 s 
28 Matt MacDonald Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI at 1 lap    
29 Leigh Andrews www.Zepnat.com/Impsport at 1 lap    
30 Richard Lister Thule/EAS/MI Racing at 1 lap    
31 Christopher Debens Individual Member at 1 lap    
32 Mark Leyland Wyre Forest CRC/Fabricolor/DWT Legal at 1 lap    
33 Elliot Dinsdale Wyre Forest CRC/Fabricolor/DWT Legal at 1 lap    
34 Craig Beech Lotto Olympia Team Interbike at 1 lap    
35 John Peters Cycle Sport South Hams at 1 lap    
36 Edward Sneddon www.Agiskoviner.com at 1 lap    
37 Jason Pascoe www.Cyclelogic.co.uk at 1 lap    

Women         
1 Gabriella Day Swift Racing 37 m 29 s  
2 Suzanne Clarke Science in Sport - Trek @ 2 m 9 s 
3 Ruby Miller (J) Individual Member @ 2 m 32 s 
4 Nina Davies Ogmore Valley Whs. @ 3 m 17 s 
5 Rachel Moss Ford CC @ 4 m 12 s 
6 Marie Stuart Team Chance @ 5 m 37 s 
7 Lisa Parsons Welland Valley CC @ 6 m 26 s 
8 Gail Aspden Penzance Wheelers CC @ 8 m 12 s 
9 Susan Wood (V) Maldon & District CC @ 8 m 17 s 
10 Carla Haines (J) Team Chance @ 10 m 13 s 
11 Fiona Verney Exeter Wheelers @ 12 m 43 s 
12 Andrea Halman Peterborough CC @   1 lap  

Veterans         
1 Geoff Giddings Thule/EAS/MI Racing 38 m 34 s  
2 Noel Clough Fietsen Tempo/The House/Chapters @   24 s 
3 Chris Young JD Cycles Ilkley @   55 s 
4 Matthew Denby www.Zepnat.com RT/Impsport @ 1 m 10 s 
5 Andrew Shaw Thule/EAS/MI Racing @ 1 m 33 s 
6 David Stevens Triangle RT - Bianchi @ 1 m 33 s 
7 Antony Green GA Cycles @ 2 m 14 s 
8 Keith Sheridan Corinium CC @ 2 m 32 s 
9 Philip Roach Rugby Velo @ 3 m 5 s 
10 Steve Barnes www.Zepnat.com RT/Impsport @ 3 m 20 s 
11 Mick Bell London Fire Brigade CC @ 3 m 52 s 
12 Tim Carpenter Team Cyclo-cross.com @ 3 m 55 s 
13 Steve Barron VC Lincoln/Pygott/B&O/SPS/Impsport @ 4 m 3 s 
14 Martin Eadon Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI @ 4 m 39 s 
15 Stephen Poole www.Zepnat.com RT/Impsport @ 4 m 46 s 
16 Julian Gould www.Zepnat.com RT/Impsport @ 5 m 17 s 
17 Garry Clark Evans Cycles RT @ 5 m 24 s 
18 Nicholas Lumb Exeter Wheelers @ 5 m 53 s 
19 Duncan Walmsley www.Zepnat.com RT/Impsport @ 6 m 33 s 
20 Stuart Pickering www.Cyclelogic.co.uk @ 6 m 42 s 
21 Anthony Dyment North Hampshire RC @ 6 m 54 s 
22 Tim Fey Individual Member @ 7 m 3 s 
23 Duncan Stuart www.keswickbikes.co.uk @ 7 m 31 s 
24 Garry Townsend Thule/EAS/MI Racing @ 7 m 59 s 
25 Kevin Payton Stourbridge CC/Wrap/CY Electrical @ 8 m 18 s 
26 Chris Davies Ogmore Valley Wheelers @ 1 lap    
27 Gary Wood Maldon & District CC @ 1 lap    

Youth         
1 Joshua Papworth Wyre Forest CRC/Fabricolor/DWT Legal 32 m 30 s  
2 Max Sykes VC Deal/Hammonds/Activ/Rowland @ same time    
3 Alistair Slater Bourne Wheelers CC @ 18 s   
4 Hugo Robinson Ipswich BC @ 30 s   
5 Luke Grivell-Mellor Mid Shropshire Whs. @ 40 s   
6 Taylor Johnstone Team de Ver @ 43 s   
7 Jonathan Dibben I-Team CC/Trek/Wheel2Wheel/One Eleven @ 1 m 8 s 
8 Alec Briggs VC Londres @ 1 m 22 s 
9 Hugo Humphreys Lee Valley Youth CC @ 1 m 50 s 
10 Scott Woodhead West Pennine RC @ 2 m 40 s 
11 Joseph Moses Bronte Whs/Neophix Engineering @ 3 m 6 s 
12 Thomas Armstrong Ribble Valley CRC - Juniors @ 3 m 20 s 
13 Luke Panton VC Lincoln/Pygott/B&O/SPS/Impsport @ 3 m 23 s 
14 Tom Young Leicestershire RC @ 3 m 37 s 
15 Samuel Lowe Go Spex Sports RT @ 4 m 5 s 
16 Nicholas Barnes Seacroft Wheelers @ 4 m 8 s 
17 Harvey Lowe GA Cycles @ 4 m 24 s 
18 Lucy Garner Leicestershire RC @ 4 m 46 s 
19 Hannah Payton Stourbridge CC/Wrap/CY Electrical @ 5 m 2 s 
20 Daniel Nash St Austell Wheelers CC @ 5 m 10 s 
21 Billy Harding East Bradford CC @ 5 m 30 s 
22 Harry Franklin Herne Hill Youth CC @ 6 m 3 s 
23 Joe Kirkham VC Long Eaton @ 6 m 50 s 
24 Daniel Young Glendene CC/Bike Trax @ 6 m 59 s 
25 Joshua Parkin Herne Hill Youth CC @ 7 m 24 s 
26 Elliot Phillips Herne Hill Youth CC @ 8 m 35 s 
27 Bethany Crumpton Halesowen A & CC @ 9 m 0 s 
28 Amy Roberts Lifeforce Cervelo @ 9 m 28 s 
29 Noah Phillips Herne Hill Youth CC @ 1 lap    
30 George Wood Maldon & District CC @ 1 lap    
31 Christian Delve Mid Devon CC @ 1 lap    
32 Saskia Hook South Pennine RC @ 1 lap    

Junior         
1 Oliver Webster J D Cycles Ilkley 43 m 29 s  
2 David Nichols Glendene CC/Bike Trax @   48 s 
3 Daniel McLay Univega.co.uk @   53 s 
4 Luke Newby Diss & District CC @   56 s 
5 Thomas Lowe Go Sports Spex RT @ 1 m 19 s 
6 Paul Young J D Cycles Ilkley @ 2 m 13 s 
7 Thomas Moses SSC Cyclesport/Bikes for All @ 3 m 13 s 
8 Ben Roff Orange Monkey MTB Team @ 4 m 10 s 
9 Robert Watson Paul Milnes/Bradford Olympic RC @ 4 m 49 s 
10 Tom Castle Glendene CC/Bike Trax @ 5 m 18 s 
11 Andrew Hargroves Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI @ 5 m 48 s 
12 Matthew Jones Cwmcarn Paragon RC @ 5 m 58 s 
13 Edward Gill Wolverhampton Whs/Fred Williams @ 6 m 28 s 
14 Bradley Burbridge Kettering CC @ 7 m 42 s 
15 Martin Woofindin Sport City Velo @ 7 m 46 s 
16 Sam Sparks Individual Member @ 1 lap    

Over 50         
1 Peter Wilkin Fietsen Tempo/The House/Chapters 40 m 40 s  
2 Roy Hunt Colnago/Ergon @  19 s  
3 Ian Wright Wyre Forest CC/Fabricolor/DWT Legal @  45 s  
4 Malcolm Cross Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI @ 1m 8 s  
5 Barry Kipling MTS Cycle Sport/Inkland RT @ 1m 38 s  
6 Andrew Roberts Evans Cycles RT @ 1m 41 s  
7 Peter Smith Team Milton Keynes @ 2m 21 s  
8 David Smith Derby Mercury RC @ 2m 51 s  
9 Vic Barnett Welland Valley CC @ 4 m17 s  
10 Peter Hargroves Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI @ 4m 40 s  
11 Graham Edwards Abergavenny RC/Lane/Govilon/Bikebase @ 4m 46 s  
12 Michael Webb Royal Sutton CC @ 7m 9 s  
13 Ian MacDonald Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI @ 7m 9 s  
14 Peter Mooney Rugby Velo @ 9m 4 s  
15 David Perry Ashfield RC @ 10m 13 s