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Report Welsh CX League Round 4
25th October 2009 | Pentwyn Leisure Centre, Cardiff | Report: Liz Slater | Images: Alison Wilde
Above: Nothing than about 2 hours of cleaning won't sort out.
The course may have been improved from last season but with frequent squally showers softening the ground it would again put bikes and handling skills to the test. One particular muddy section claimed even the leading Senior riders. But opinion was definitely in favour of the course and there was the bonus of some extra League points for the 90 riders who turned up as various reasons kept others away.
Above: Impromptu pit lane action
The Abergavenny RC U12 army, whose ranks increase in number every week, were not going to be put off by the weather and massed on the start line for a frenetic 15 minutes of racing alongside the lake - the noise probably ruined the anglers' chances of catching anything! But Jessica Roberts for one was not going to let them have it all their own way; along with Scott Dunster of Brecon Wheelers, the Towy Rider harried the boys in red for the entire race. She was set for a showdown with Teifion Best as they emerged from the trees but a slip on some mud brought the race leader crashing down and Jessica took the win with Ben Beckingsale 2nd.
Above: The mud didn't stop these chaps cracking a smile for the camera
An understandably upset Teifion painfully ran to the line to claim 3rd. In the absence of usual League rival Megan James, U10 Joe Beckingsale had team-mate Llewellyn Price for company, eventually distancing himself on the final lap to take the win. Further back the battle of the Rhys's saw Rhys Thomas (Abergavenny RC) take 3rd U10 (1st U8) ahead of Rhys Barter (M & D Cycles) and newcomer Ella Doheny (Abergavenny RC) took her first win.
Above: The start of the senior race
Joe Anstice (Newport Velo) led a depleted Youth field after their first lap with the promoting club's Geraint Manley in close attendance. But after an enforced bike change he was overhauled by Manley who looked comfortable with the conditions and rode away to victory. Behind them newcomer Scott Davies (Towy Riders) rode a very determined race to finish 3 rd and Scott Dunster (Brecon Wheelers) took his second U14 win holding off U16 Girl Rebecca Hunt (Newport Velo) for 4th. Ellie Coster, also from Newport Velo, was 1st U14 Girl.
Above: The sun pokes out between the clouds as the racers stream through
Members of the promoting club were out in force in the Senior race and it was Veteran Ian Jeremiah who led from start to finish. Phil Morris (Dambusters) tried unsuccessfully to stay with him and settled for holding on to 2nd place ahead of 2nd Veteran Mark James (MI Racing). U23s Matthew Jones (Cwmcarn Paragon) and Rhys Powell (Abergavenny RC) and winning Junior Sam Anstice (Newport Velo) all had an excellent race finishing in the top 10 and Melanie Alexander (Cardiff JIF) continued her run of victories in the Women's category.
Above: Marshalling starts young in Welsh Cyclo Cross
Please note: the next League event will be on 8th November at Blackweir Park (HQ Maindy Stadium). The course will be the reverse of the Christmas ‘Cross and the organizer is Simon Nurse (Cardiff JIF).
See http://www.cyclocrosswales.co.uk for further information.
More Images
Above: An indication of how tricky the conditions became.
Above: And another...
Above: Pleasant surroundings for a cross race.
