Charlie Aldridge and Elena McGorum took sensational elite wins at Cannock Chase in Round 4 of the National Cross-Country Series at the weekend, with the biggest turnout of riders in the series so far.
It was a fast, furious and ever-changing elite men’s race with various groups working together, splitting apart, and reforming right until the end of the race. Charlie Aldridge (Scott) got away from Cameron Mason (Trinity) for the win, while Rory McGuire held onto third. Cam Orr (Team Inspired) fell, broke a shoe and was left making his way back through the field for fourth ahead of Ben Wadey.
In the female elites, Elena McGorum (Peebles CC) escaped off the front and was never seen again by her competitors. Jane Barr (Velocity 44) came second in her best result of the season, while Jo Thom (Torq) was third.
Tom Couzens (Embark – Bikestrong) took the win in the men’s expert class with Daniel Barnes (Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus) and Flynn Gregory (Derby Mercury RC) battling it out for second and third.
Christina Wiejak (St Piran) comfortably won the expert/sport females and the series title with Sofia Christiansen in second ahead of Katherine Simpson.
The men’s sport category was closely contested, with a leading group of five, until William Gell broke away from Marco Ruggeri (Rapha) for the win, while Tom Stephenson (Lakes RC) took third.
In the male juniors, Max Greensill (Hope) got away and stayed away, while teammate Nathan Smith (Hope) came second with Reuben Oakley (Rotor) just pipping Tom Scott (Trek Sheffield Fox Valley) to the line for third.
The junior women category saw Emily Carrick-Anderson (T-Mo) not only win her race and the series but also saw her ripping through the elite field ahead of her. Libby Bell (Garden Shed UK-Ribble-V) took second ahead of Evie Steed (Sherwood Pines) with Phoebe Roche (WXC) and Beatrix Kiehlmann (Royal Albert) making up the podium.
In the largest open class this season, Natalie Hodson (University of York) won the female race ahead of Rebecca Parish.
David McKee took an early lead in the men’s open but had company in lap two with Stewart Crooks, but by the end of lap four, McKee had broken away to take another win. Stewart looked to be coming home second 2nd but was taken on the line by Brett Dempsey and had to settle for third.
Ben Coppola (Four4th) took the win ahead of Max Standen (Southfork Racing) and Ewan Dix in third in the men’s youth race.
In the female equivalent, Daisy Taylor (Royal Albert CC) continued her dominance and confirmed her series title with the win. Bethany-Ann Jackson (WXC) took second ahead of Florence Greenhalgh (Pine Sport).
In the juvenile male category, Leon Atkins (Welwyn Wheelers) managed to pull away from Curtis McKee (Scott BrightMotorGroup) for the win with Arthur Limb (Matlock CC) grabbing third.
In the juvenile females, Zoe Roche (WXC) had a race-long battle with local girl Mazie Harper who got her highest result of the season. A delighted Daisy Wilkinson (Edinburgh RC) came third. That result confirms Zoe as series winner, too.
In male vets, the return of Adrian Lansley (Pedalon) to racing also saw his return to winning ways. Alan Gunner (Verulam) came second with Marc Chamberlain (Hunt Wheels) in third. In the grand vets, Nick Craig (Scott) again won convincingly and took the win and the series. Steve Calland (Team TMC - Strada Wheels) finally caught Ian Taylor (Shibden) just before the line to grab second. Grant Johnson continued his perfect season in the super vets with Bruce Rollinson (All Terrain Cycles Ride) second and Roy Hunt (Team Bottecchia) in third.
There were some different faces in the vet female class, with Ceris Styler (Backstedt Bikes) taking the win ahead of Tracy Mosely (T-Mo) and Cheri Mills (Fibrax Wrexham RC). In grand vets, Helen Pattison (Montezuma's Race Team) won comfortably ahead of Virginia Roberts (Albion Cycling Co) and Lucy Rogers (Congleton CC) in third. Carolyn Spiers won the super vets and the series title.
