Welsh League Round 6

16.11.2008, Bryn Bach Parc
Bryn Bach Park, Tredegar

Promoted By: Abertillery & District Wheelers CC

Images: Alison Wilde | Report: Liz Slater

A recreational cycle trail has been developed in woodland next to the Visitor Centre at Parc Bryn Bach to compliment the existing BMX and closed road circuits and although not a "proper" 'cross course is, with the addition of some grassy sections, doubling up as a racing circuit for the 'cross season. However, what looked like rideable grass turned, in places, into a tussocky quagmire that proved easier to run than ride. Opinions on the course were divided but at least the weather was favourable for once.

The U12s were set quite a technical circuit which caused problems for some. In her final year in the category and an off-road fan, Ffion James (Abergavenny RC) confidently negotiated the bumps and bends and the gap between her and League rival Emily Haycox (Maindy Flyers) steadily grew. Unfortunately Haycox took a tumble allowing U12 Boy Nathan Llewellyn, who had been steadily working his way past his Maindy Flyers team-mates, into second place.

Another faller was Amy Hinchly, brought down by little brother Josh, but soon chasing down Harry Lock and Megan Barker (all Maindy Flyers) and leading U10 Boy Nathan Ford (Abergavenny RC). James was a convincing winner with Llewellyn in second place and Haycox third; Ford and Barker finally got the better of Hinchly. Equally as comfortable as her sister, Megan James was first U10 Girl.

There were several new faces in the Youth line-up including brothers Alex and Joe Webb from the Mid-Shropshire Wheelers and Tred BMX's Ashley Ransom, giving 'cross a try. After one lap Ransom was in fourth place ahead of Towy Riders Luke Cornish and Owen James, but it was team-mate William Worrall who was out in front ahead of the previous week's winner Sam Anstice (Newport Velo). Ransom fell back behind Cornish and James as the weight of his mountain-bike began to tell.

Only a month ago Worrall was in a similar situation but now, on a 'cross bike and with a 15th place in the Inter-Area to his name, he is leading the field and taking another League win, well ahead of Anstice. James finished fourth and first U14 Boy. Hannah Manley (Lifeforce) had a successful off-road excursion to finish first U16 Girl and Rebecca Hunt maintained her position as first U14 Girl.

Gridding was essential for the main race of the day, as 60 riders squeezed onto the narrow start track, and proved successful as every one headed safely up the start straight. First to show at the front was Joe Lally (CC Abergavenny) with Veterans Ian Jeremiah (Cardiff JIF) and Mark James (MI Racing) close behind, and it was this trio, with Jeremiah at the front, that led the field for the early part of the race.

The next few laps, however, saw Andrew Baum (Gateway RT) passing Lally and James and closing on Jeremiah. Punctures scuppered the chances of several riders further down the field but Baum was unaffected and by the penultimate lap had taken the lead. Behind him a battle for fourth place was going on involving team-mate Richard Bowen, Lally and Mark Davies (Climb on Bikes). Lally was just managing to stay ahead as Bowen and Davies swapped places but a stop in the pits on the final lap cost him the advantage.

Although Jeremiah gained ground on the final lap, Baum took the win by 20 seconds with James a further 2 minutes behind. Only 2 seconds covered the next three places as Davies finished ahead of Bowen with Lally in sixth. Matthew Jones (Cwmcarn Paragon) finished ninth and took another win in the Junior category and visiting rider Jasmine Adams (Wyre Forest) had an excellent race to finish 21st and first Woman.

The League now moves west again to Margam Park (SA13 2TJ) for the Round 7 event promoted by Ogmore Valley Wheelers on 23rd November.

Results By Category

Juniors
1 Matthew Jones Cwmcarn Paragon RC
2 Samuel Newton Port Talbot Wheelers CC
3 Sam Weaver Epic Cycles RC
4 Dale Thomas Team Schmoos

Seniors
1 Andrew Baum Gateway Racing Team
2 Ian Jeremiah Cardiff JIF
3 Mark James Yeti Europe
4 Robert Davies Brooks Cycles
5 Richard Bowen Gateway Racing Team
6 Joseph Lally CC Abergavenny
7 Joshua Ibbett St Ives CC
8 Ross Porter Mojo Orange
9 Matthew Jones Cwmcarn Paragon RC
10 Paul Bennett Cardiff JIF
11 Adam Gellatly Climb On Bikes RT
12 Lynn Lines Gateway Racing Team
13 Andrew Pearce Forza Cycles
14 Richard Wilder Cardiff Ajax CC
15 David Seward Bynea CC
16 Gareth Chislett Abertillery & District Wheelers CC
17 Mike Barne
18 Matthew Corran
19 Samuel Newton Port Talbot Wheelers CC
20 Craig Standage Cardiff JIF
21 Jasmine Adams-Friend Wyre Forest CRC
22 Donald Gray Cardiff JIF
23 Christopher Matthews Ogmore Valley Wheelers
24 Andy Gowan
25 Christopher Lewis
26 Jeff Lewis
27 Colin Miller
28 Paul Millar Cardiff JIF
29 Cy Strike
30 Alistair Morgan M & D Cycles / Specialized
31 Nick Jones
32 Paul Herbert Rhyl Cycling Club
33 Phil Davies
34 Sam Weaver Epic Cycles RC
35 Chris Tucker
36 Philip Weaver Epic Cycles RC
37 Crad Lowe Brecon Wheelers / Biped Cycles
38 Miles Preece M & D Cycles / Specialized
39 Philip Harries Cardiff Ajax CC
40 Keith Jellyman
41 Claire Bowen Gateway Racing Team
42 Paul Colman Pembrokeshire Velo
43 Serena Wood M & D Cycles / Specialized
44 Russell White Forza Cycles
45 Nicholas Lane Abergavenny Road Club
46 Stephen Crompton
47 Dale Thomas Team Schmoos
48 Timothy Jones Bynea CC
49 Steve Davies
50 Fiona Evans
51 Nick Campolucci
52 Carol Miller

Under-10
1 Nathan Ford Abergavenny Road Club
2 Ffion James Abergavenny Road Club
3 Joseph Beckingsale Abergavenny Road Club
4 Jessica Roberts Towy Riders
5 Josh Hinchly Maindy Flyers Youth CC
6 Ieuan Best
7 Elizabeth Bennett Cardiff JIF
8 Rhys Barter
9 Huw Higgins-Worrall Abergavenny Road Club
10 Alex Powell
11 Lloyd Thomas Towy Riders
12 Grace Bennion Maindy Flyers Youth CC

Under-12
1 Ffion James Abergavenny Road Club
2 Nathan Llewellyn Maindy Flyers Youth CC
3 Emily Haycox Maindy Flyers Youth CC
4 Megan Barker Maindy Flyers Youth CC
5 Amy Hinchly Maindy Flyers Youth CC
6 Harry Lock Maindy Flyers Youth CC
7 Scott Dunster Brecon Wheelers / Biped Cycles
8 Benjamin Beckingsale Abergavenny Road Club
9 Dan Ellerton
10 Teifion Best
11 Ffion Llewellyn Maindy Flyers Youth CC
12 Bethan Manley Maindy Flyers Youth CC

Veterans
1 Ian Jeremiah Cardiff JIF
2 Mark James Yeti Europe
3 Ross Porter Mojo Orange
4 Paul Bennett Cardiff JIF
5 Lynn Lines Gateway Racing Team
6 Andrew Pearce Forza Cycles
7 David Seward Bynea CC
8 Mike Barne
9 Donald Gray Cardiff JIF
10 Christopher Matthews Ogmore Valley Wheelers

Women
1 Jasmine Adams-Friend Wyre Forest CRC
2 Claire Bowen Gateway Racing Team
3 Serena Wood M & D Cycles / Specialized
4 Fiona Evans
5 Carol Miller

 

Youth
1 William Worrall
2 Samuel Anstice Newport Youth Velo Cycling Club
3 Gareth Sheppard Abergavenny Road Club
4 Owen James Towy Riders
5 Luke Cornish Towy Riders
6 Ashley Ransom Tred BMX Club
7 Alex Webb Mid Shropshire Whls
8 Sam Ellis Abergavenny Road Club
9 Hannah Manley Lifeforce Cervelo
10 matthew thompson Maindy Flyers Youth CC
11 Samuel Leigh-Cattrall Towy Riders
12 Rebecca Hunt
13 Ben Dunster Brecon Wheelers / Biped Cycles
14 Joe Webb Mid Shropshire Whls
15 Rowan Miller Maindy Flyers Youth CC
16 Daniel Colman Pembrokeshire Velo
17 Ryan Matthews Abergavenny Road Club
18 Anthony Higgins Bynea CC
19 Amy Hill Newport Youth Velo Cycling Club
20 Tomas Morgan
21 Sarah Crowley Lifeforce Cervelo