Report: Wessex Cyclo-Cross League Round 6

Tatchbury Mount Hospital, Calmore, Southampton
Organised by Crabwood Cycling Club

Report & Images: Graham Robins

The under-12 field heads off the start

With winter conditions now really gripping the grasslands of Britain, Cyclo-Cross has assumed an altogether tougher and more gritty feel to it in the last couple of weekes.

Eventual winner Adrian Lansley leads the senior field at the start

And for the 75 riders lining up for the 6th round of the Wessex league, in wet and windy weather, it was going to be a challenge - the course consiste of a grassy field, a ploughed field and a technical wooded section including a very boggy climb. This indeed was always going to be a slog!

Early in the senior race and no-one has yet made a move

The start run out skirted around the edge of a grassy field which started to string the field out. By time they had completed the first lap four riders were beginning to pull away. With three laps to go there was not much between them, but eventual winner Adrian Lansley (PEDAL ON) started to put his head down and looked to be making the significant move.

However, there was drama for the leader when a loose tub forced him to change it - he managed to do this without losing the lead and from then on he was always going to win. This was Adrian's first win of the season and he was naturally very pleased with his afternoon's work:

"That was a true slog today it wasn't going to be easy. I was on the inner chain ring all race. It was all very close with the two Hargroves guys with me all the way. We weren't really attacking each other, it was one of those when you got a gap you tried to recover. I managed to get away a couple of times, with three laps to go I got my head down. With two laps to go my tub started coming a bit loose so I had to change it. It wasn't in the bag till the very last lap. I'm very pleased with my first win of the Cyclo-Cross season."

The start of the Youth race

The youth race was impressively won by Charlie White (DH Cyclesport). With both his nearest rivals missing, Charlie looked in control from the off and soon opened up a large gap, which he then managed to control his pace and win at a canter. Afterwards Charlie said:

"The grassy parts were quite hard, but when you got into the woods it was a bit drier. much easier. I had a quick start but the grass held me back so much".

Next event: Pedal On Cross/Wessex League Round 7 next Sunday 16th November at Crabtree Plantation, Basingstoke.

Additional Images: Luke Webber

The terrain was challenging if grimly beautiful

Lansley leads