Victories for Wales at National Trophy

 

Ruby Miller (Maindy Flyers) proudly displayed her new National Championship jersey en route to dominating the Under 16 girls category of the National Trophy cyclo cross series at the weekend. Miller claimed both the win and series at the season finale in Derby, on a course made treacherous by rainstorms throughout the preceding week.

 

From the start, Miller stayed close to hopefuls Hannah Shenton (Team Chance) and Lucy Garner (Leics RC), before steadily moving ahead over the first lap, displaying considerable skill in the slippery conditions by saving seconds around the corners where other riders were floundering.

Miller increased her lead each lap, displaying her track training to keep grip in the mud by calmly spinning small gears and keeping grip on the circuits undulations. By the finish, Miller had progressed through much of the boys field who started a minute ahead, and claimed the win by over a minute from Shenton.

 

Sam Harrison (Cwmcarn Paragon) proved Saturday evenings Revolution event in Manchester had not sapped his strength as he stormed to victory in the Youth boys event. Harrison led out from the start with series leader Luke Gray (Hargroves Cycles) for company, but capitalised on Gray falling midway around the opening lap on a tricky switchback corner. Harrison later admitted to pushing as hard on the pedals as grip would allow, opening up a comfortable gap which would increase to almost 40seconds by the finish. Again, Harrison looked the class of the field as he calmly wound his way around the circuit, spinning the pedals on every firm piece of ground he could find and ably shouldering the bike to run the rest.

 

The other prominent performance of the day went to Junior Gareth James (Abergavenny RC), who enjoyed the conditions to capitalise on a fast start and hold on to an excellent third position. James spent much of the race picking his way through the mud ahead of fellow Welshman Ben Roach (Rugby Velo), but Roach faded towards the end allowing James to claim third behind National Champion Alex Paton (VC Deal) and Sebastian Batchelor (Sandy Wallace Cycles).

 

Other Welsh riders included Anthony O'Boyle (6th U23) and Ben Simmons (7th U23). These results leave Ben 5th and Anthony 6th in the overall Trophy Series. Sam Harrison finished 9th in the overall standings, with Andrew Williams 10th in the Junior standings and Gareth James 6th.

 

For full details, please visit British Cycling National Trophy report.

 

Posted 14th January 2008