SRAM Notts and Derby Cyclo-Cross League - Round 11

 
Bolsover and District CC
Stockley Park, Glapwell, Derbyshire.

Cold and foggy conditions for the latest round of the Notts and Derby League at Stockley Country Park, the site of an old coal mine, by the looks of it. The course was mainly on tracks with a few sections on the surrounding rough grassland. One particular section of track had rocks sticking out of the mud, causing a few punctures for those unfortunate enough to stray onto them. The race attracted visitors from Yorkshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands, as well as the Notts and Derby regulars.

The Under 10's race was on a tricky course with a climb, long descent and a tricky corner. Scott Hookway (Sherwood CC) won again, his seventh win in 11 rides. His main rivals Louis Gray-Blest (Bulwell Outlaws) and John Webster (Matlock CC) sprinted it out for second place, with Louis getting the verdict. Isabel Boon (Belper BC) was first girl in tenth place. Scott has a big lead in the overall series, but Louis and John have both missed a couple of rounds, and with 13 rounds out of 16 to count, could still challenge Scott for the title. Isabel looks favourite for the girls overall title.

The Under 12's course was an extended version of the U10's. Arthur Green (Matlock CC) led from the first lap to take the win and maintain his 100% record, but was again pushed all the way by Charlotte Broughton (Leicester Off-Road Club), who finished second. Will Gascoigne(Heanor Clarion) was clear in third place, whilst a group of three contested fourth place - Grace Garner (Leicester Off-Road Club), Elliott Dudley (Sherwood Pines) and Josh Waters (Mercia CC). Grace attacked on the climb before the finish to win the sprint for fourth from Josh and Elliott.

The youth race had a strong field of mainly local riders including four from Leicester Off-Road Club and two current national champions. Sam Lowe (Go-Sports Specs RT) was told by his coach to start at the back of the field, but by the end of the first lap he'd managed to pass everyone and led from Tom Young (LORC) in second, Ben Green (VC Lincoln) in third, Keiron Tennyson (Heanor Clarion) in fourth and a group of four - Joe Kirkham (VC Long Eaton), Sam Broughton and Lucy Garner (LORC) and James Shaw (Heanor Clarion), contesting fifth place. By the end of the second lap, Sam led by 52 seconds from Tom, with Ben Green at 1.15, Keiron at 1.25 and the chasing four at 1.36. Sam had extended his lead to 1.21 by the end of the third lap from Tom, with the chasers having now merged into a group of six at 2.15. At the finish, Sam Lowe took the win, with Tom Young second, Ben Green outsprinted Sam Broughton for third place, Kieron Tennyson finished first Under 14 in fifth place and Lucy Garner first Girl in sixth.

The senior race included most of the Notts and Derby regulars plus Graham Briggs (Rapha Condor) and Ben Roach (Wyre Forest CRC). After the first lap, a leading group of four had a small lead over the chasers. The leaders were Briggs, Roach, Steve Adams (Pearl Izumi RT) and Rob Parkin (Heanor Clarion). Roach soon dropped out after puncturing on one of the rocky sections. By the end of the second lap, the leading group had changed, Ben Eedy (Sounth Pennine RC) and Lee Shunburne (Matlock CC) had made it across to Briggs and Parkin, whilst Adams had been dropped and was now chasing with Tom Lowe (Go-Sports Spex RT) at 17 seconds. By the end of lap 3, the leading group had split up. Ben Eedy now led, with Shunburne and Briggs at 10 seconds, Parkin at 15, Lowe at 25 and Adams now chasing with John Shaw (Zepnat RT) at 40 seconds. Eedy's lead went up to 30 seconds at one point, but Briggs put in a late surge to get clear of Shunburne and close the gap to 16 seconds at the finish. Eedy took the win and now looks to be amongst the favourites for the forthcoming Midlands Championships. Briggs was second, Shunburne third and Parkin fourth. Tom Lowe was the leading junior in fifth place, whilst Steve Adams put in a last lap surge to catch John Shaw just before the line to take sixth place. Shaw was first veteran in seventh. Annie Last (Zepnat RT) put in a strong performance to finish 25th and first lady.

Thanks to Matt Conley and the Bolsover and District CC for putting on an interesting series of races on challenging courses.

Full results can be found at www.ndcxl.org