The HSBC UK | Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Series looks set for a thrilling conclusion this weekend with the final round taking place in York.
A popular venue last season, the organisers have this year stepped up another level with wholesale changes to the way in which the course’s signature off-camber banks have been utilised, and rain in the weeks leading up to the race plus the forecast of possible snow over the weekend reveals a course looking like it could provide some classic, slippery, muddy conditions for the denouement of the series.
Senior Men
The men’s title is going down to the wire as only a handful of points separate the leading riders with all to play for on the day, a classic winner-takes-it-all shoot-out. An incredible 7th national trophy title awaits Ian Field (Neon Velo) if he can defend the lead he takes into the final round over Gosse van der Meer (Bombtrack Bicycles p/b Hunt wheels). With five rounds out of six counting the best points tally for each rider after four races reveals Field is just three points up on Van der Meer and with the usual high number of entries from the continent making an appearance, any number of permutations could affect where the series leader’s jersey ends up. Leading a strong European contingent is U23 rider Arne Vrachten (Acrog-Pauwels Sauzen-Balen B.C.) Returning to action in the UK after a superb win at the penultimate round in Pembrey. Other Europeans on the start list likely to be challenging are David Eriksson (Art-V Cycling) and Gianni Siebens (IKO-Crelan), while a crop of the best UK U23 riders are also looking to get involved at the head of affairs. Look out for strong challenges from Thomas Creighton (Cycling Ulster), Jenson Young (Garden Shed UK-SCOTT-Verge Sport), Lewis Askey (Zannata Ride
Coventry GSG XGear), Sean Flynn (Team Inspired) and Calum Macleod (Canyon dhb p/b Bloor Homes). With U23 Series leader Toby Barnes (RST/Cycle Division RT) also on the grid, any number of riders could get between Field and Van der Meer, influencing the final outcome in what should be a fascinating series finale.
Senior Women
The women’s series sees a straight shoot-out between U23 and overall leader’s jersey wearer Sophie Thackray (Scott Racing) and previous round winner Ffion James (Hope Factory Racing). Although a mere two points separate these two on GC going into the final round, the best four scoring races for each riders’ series so far see’s James with a healthy 24-point lead, meaning an 8th place finish or better sees her win the title. But, as in the men’s race, a large number of riders, missing in action in Europe over the previous few rounds return and are capable of influencing the result on the day. Impressive winner at round four in Ardingly, Bethany Crumpton (Tarteletto – Isorex) returns to the line along with Katie Scott (Garden Shed UK-SCOTT) who won round three in Irvine, plus Harriet Harnden (T-Mo Racing) who won round two at Westmorland, making no less than four riders on the line looking to become the only rider to win two Trophies in the women’s series this season. The junior category is headed by Anna Flynn (Edinburgh RC) who, starting from the front row of the grid in the leader’s jersey, could also challenge for the overall win as well as consolidating the series in her own category.
Junior Men
Dan Barnes (Garden Shed UK-SCOTT) looks to have the series nailed down as he carries a healthy points lead into the final round, but the race victory is up for grabs with a number of returning riders looking for a strong series finsih. Rory McGuire (Leslie Bike Shop), Corran Carrick-Anderson (Peebles CC) and Simon Wylie (Halesowen A & CC) all return after stints over the channel at international events and will be looking for wins in a hotly contested category that has seen some of the best race action of the series so far and launches the day two action on Saturday morning.
Veteran Men
The imperious Adrian Lansley (Pedalon CC) has wrapped up the series with five out of five Trophy wins so far this season, so the only thing up for grabs in the Vet 40’s category is the opportunity for someone to stop him taking a clean sweep. Paul Lloyd (Banjo Cycles/Raceware/Specialized) has been the rider closest to Lansley for most of the series and starts from second on the grid here alongside third placed rider Tony Fawcett (SCOTT Racing) all looking to take at least one race victory off Lansley.
In the Vet 50s category Pete Middleton (www.Zepnat.com RT - Lazer helmets) starts in the series leader’s jersey but with five rounds counting, Nick Craig (SCOTT Racing) holds a big points advantage after wins in the previous four rounds. Craig’s margins of victory over those previous races suggests he has the title in his grasp, but such is the technical nature of ‘cross racing that it’s never over ‘til it’s over and Middleton will be sure to push Craig all the way hoping to force an error.
In the V60+ division Robin Delve (Mid Devon CC) and Malcolm Cross (Velo Club Venta) had a race-long, ding-dong of a battle in the previous round, Delve eventually running out the winner to lead the series from Cross going into the final round. We look forward to a repeat of that kind of action from the pair but strong challengers in the shape of Mike Davies (Pedal Power Loughborough), Barry Kipling (MTS Cycle Sport), Roy Hunt (Team Kinesis UK) and Dave McMullen (Cotswold Veldrijden) could all play a part in who takes the final series title.
Veteran Women
As in the men’s V40’s category, Kate Eedy (Team Empella Cyclo-Cross.Com) has been peerless in winning five out of five races to go into the final round already crowned champion. Racing for the runners up slot in the series and the not inconsiderable honour of being able to say the beat her in at least one round are Lucy Siddle (Allen Valley Velo) and Helen Pattinson (Hargroves Montezumas) who line up alongside Eedy on the grid for the final race as second and third riders respectively in the series overall.
The V50’s category women’s race sees a couple of points separating series leader Tracey Fletcher (Magspeed Racing) from second placed Katherine Kilburn (Mid-Devon CC). Fletcher has discovered a real taste for the joy of winning after victories in the previous two rounds to take the leader’s jersey from Kilburn but can expect to be pushed hard if she wants to take a third and secure the series title.
In the 60+ women’s category, Nicola Davies (www.cyclocrossrider.com) and Sally Reid (Magspeed Racing) have entertained the crowds with some close wheel-to-wheel action for most of the series, but Davies holds all the cards having won four rounds to Reid’s single victory in round four at Ardingly.
Youth Girls
While the U16s girls race is mathematically still open as a contest Zoe Backstedt (Storey Racing) has been so dominant in winning all four of the five rounds she’s competed in so far that its hard to see her being overturned at York. Ella Maclean-Howell (Cardiff Jif) is the only rider capable of taking the series from her Welsh compatriot having finished second to her in each of those four races, but given Backstedt’s form so far this year, it would take a catastrophe to see the title going any other way. Behind the leading two the race for the final podium place has been hotly contested all series with a crop of highly talented girls of a similarly high standard coming through, so expect a tight race between Niamh Murphy (Cotswold Veldrijden), Libby Bell (Leicester Forest), Emily Carrick-Anderson (T-Mo Racing) and Hope Inglis (Team JRC) at the sharp end of the action.
The Under 14s race is a lot less predictable given what’s happened in the series so far. Cary’s Lloyd (VC Londres) dominated the early proceedings with wins in the opening three rounds only to see Cat Ferguson (Cycle Sport Pendle) win the last two. Lucy Glover (Derwentside CC) meanwhile has proved miss-consistency by finishing well up in the points at each race and starts second on the grid. Lloyd’s team-mate Lucy Wollaston has also bagged a couple of second places on the podium and Imogen Wolff (Holmfirth Cycling Club) has suddenly emerged as a real threat to the leading riders so this race is wide open.
Youth Boys
The U16 boys is also too close to call as Max Greensill (Hope Factory Racing) and Oli Akers (GardenShedUKSCOTTVerge) look to resume their season-long head to head battle which has seen them win two and three races respectively. Greensill starts in the leader’s jersey but a check on both rider’s best four scoring rounds going into the final reveals Akers leading by the slim margin of just two points, holding 190 against Greensill’s 188 so this could be the race of the weekend.
In the U14s
Sebastian Grindley (North Cheshire Clarion) has proved to be head and shoulders above everyone in the series so far winning the previous four rounds and though its mathematically possible for 2nd placed rider Finlay Tarling (West Wales Cycle RT) to overhaul him. Tarling has emerged as a real threat in recent rounds and will be looking to go one step better and put pressure on Grindley with a final round win but Grindley would virtually have to not finish the race to concede the title overall. Alfie Amey (DB Racing) the only other rider to win a round this series starts from third on the grid and could have a say in the result on the day.
Schedule
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14 Dec 19 |
09:35 |
Veteran Men 50-59 Trophy |
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14 Dec 19 |
09:36 |
Veteran Men 60+ Trophy |
|
14 Dec 19 |
10:35 |
Veteran Men 40-49 Trophy |
|
14 Dec 19 |
11:40 |
Veteran Women's Trophy |
|
14 Dec 19 |
13:45 |
Under 16 Girls Trophy |
|
14 Dec 19 |
13:46 |
Under 14 Girls Trophy |
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14 Dec 19 |
14:30 |
Under 14 Boys Trophy |
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14 Dec 19 |
15:15 |
Under 16 Boys Trophy |
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15 Dec 19 |
11:20 |
Junior Men's Trophy |
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15 Dec 19 |
13:15 |
Senior & Junior Women's Trophy |
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15 Dec 19 |
14:20 |
Senior Men's Trophy |
