Organiser's Press Release: Derby National Trophy Cyclo-Cross
Event Date: Sunday 11 October
Link: National Trophy Event Info & Reports
Local riders used the 4th round of the Notts & Derby Cyclo-cross League to assess their form for next week's National Trophy race at Mooorways in Derby. Next Sunday The national event supported by EMDA, the East Midlands Development Agency, will see some exiting racing between 270 of our top national riders and a sprinkling of international visitors.
The first race of the series, at Budleigh Salterton in Devon two weeks ago featured some fast racing on the hard ground. Paul Oldham from Hope Racing beat Belgium's Jon van Dael in a close race and the two look set for a similar battle in Derby. Van Dael leads a group of 7 European riders in the senior race at 2.15pm. However current National Trophy holder Jody Crawfoth will be out to improve after hitting the hurdles badly in Devon and finishing 3rd. Ian Field will also be looking for some better fortune after a puncture in the same race. Leicestershire's Dave Collins was in 4th but warmed up with a win by a second in the Notts & Derby race at Chesterfield on Saturday. He beat Great Longstone's Tom Last who will be hoping to take the U23 category of the national main race. Next came this years 3 Peaks Race winner Nick Craig from Derby's Ben Eedy (Team Empella Cyclo-cross.com). Eedy who lies 10th in the Trophy Series is unlikely to ride at Moorways due to his race organisation commitments. Local lad Tom Lowe has just moved up from the junior ranks finished a great 13th on Saturday in a race with over 100 riders.
In the Veterans race on Sunday there are 92 entrants which will be a tremendous spectacle at the new course. Local interest features Raleigh's Geoff Giddings who suffered a broken chain in Devon but was 9th on Saturday. He will be looking to re-establish his rivalry with Chris Young who now leads the series but will also have 2 Belgians to contend with. Ian Wright lies 2nd in the Over 50s category of this race but if he is to improve will have to beat series leader Martin Eadon who has just moved into that category. Derby's Dave Smith is a previous winner of this category and will be riding for a good placing.
If the ground is hard which seems likely, then it should favour junior series leader Dan McLay from Leicester with his recent road and track background. However Derbyshire riders Josh Hand and Bruce Dalton will be hoping to put on a good show on their "home" turf. Gabby Day is favourite for the womens race after winning by nearly a minute in the first race of the series. Local interest is with Noelle James and Hilary Johnson who will try to challenge the other member of the Day family, Louise for the vets category.
The youth races are always popular and with an entry of 73 the Derby race will be no exception. There is a strong local entry with Sam Lowe leading the Derby challenge in the U16 boys after winning the youth race at Chesterfield by 2 minutes. After hitting the hurdles in Devon and then having a problem on the last lap he will be after revenge over winner Yorkshire's Ed McParland. Other locals to watch for in the U16s are Kieron Tennyson, John Lomas and Joe Kirkham. Tennyson was 3rd on Saturday. In the same race James Shaw from Heanor came 4th and will be hoping to do well in the U14 section after a double puncture in Devon. Bradford's Billy Harding leads that category. Lucy Garner from Leicester leads the U16 girls in the national series and local riders Rosie Blount and Saskia Hook will renew their rivalry at Moorways. Garner and Blount were 1st and second girls in Chesterfield while Hook had to sit the race out after a recent crash. Abergavenney's Ffion James has ridden a few Notts & Derby races and will be favourite for the U14 category national race.
The Moorways course is challenging with a wide variety of terrain but the banked sides of the stadium will provide most interest especially if there is a little rain. Spectators can take advantage of the many viewing points around the circuit including the stadium grandstand and enjoy a fast tarmac finish.
Link: National Trophy Event Info & Reports
Further details can also be found on the event website: www.derby.nationaltrophy.org.uk
