Tredegar Park, Newport played host to the first round of the 2019 Welsh Cyclo-cross league as riders from under six to elite men battled it out on a tough and testing new course in hot conditions.
A first for this year, was the women’s only race and with a great number of female competitors in action on the day it proved to be an entertaining spectacle. But for Clare Hoskins (Cardiff JIF), Jenny McAdie (Gower Riders) and Claire Nott (Army Cycling Union) they all made history as they won the first ever women's only event, winning the vet’s 50, 40 and senior women race respectively.
It was the younger ages groups which kicked us off on the day, and on a technical course all performed well. In the under six race it was Macsen Harris (Abergavenny Road Club) who took victory in the boys with Corynn Perry taking 2nd overall and first girl. In the under 8’s it was Isaac McAdie (Gower Riders) who set the tone for the family as he claimed victory, hours before his mother replicated the feat in the vet 40’s women’s race. The Under 8s girls was won by Cadi Emmerson who headed the trio of Whitchurch Cycling Club riders on the podium.
Next was the under 10 and 12 races which again saw entertaining action right from the gun. But in the end it was Cameron Reeves (Abergavenny Road Club) who took victory in the U10 boys and Lara Elias of Gower Riders for the girls. Finlay Storrie (Maindy Flyers) finished on the top step in the U12 and Mabli Phillips flew to first for Maindy Flyers in the girls.
With the younger categories finished, a bigger course came into play with the youth and juvenile boy's and girl's getting their first taste of cyclo-cross action of the season. The under-16 boy’s race was fast and frenetic and in the end it was Jack Hastings (Cardiff JIF) who finished ahead of Emyr Truelove (Abergavenny Road Club) and Nathan Cracknell (Pedalon.co.uk). In the under-16 girl’s race, Efa Williams (Cardiff JIF) was victorious ahead of Mali Wood (Abergavenny Road Club).
Elsewhere in the under 14 race it was Alfie Davies (A Cycling) who took victory over a minute ahead of Finlay Tarling in second. While Gretna Carey (Palmer Park Velo RT) stormed ahead early to earn an impressive victory in the under 14 girl’s race.
To finish what was a spectacular day of racing, a huge field of 100+ men riders took to the course. Being in position for the first corner was crucial for those who had aspirations to take the win.
But after a gruelling hour in the heat, Steven James (Hope Factory Racing) was first in the senior men’s category while William Truelove (Abergavenny Road Club) sprinted to victory in the junior category. Elsewhere Matthew Lewis continued Abergavenny’s good day by winning in the vet 40 event. In the vet 50 it was Ian Jeremiah (Cardiff JIF) who had the pleasure of standing on the top step, as was the case for Nick Dallimore who took victory in vet 60 race.
Round two sees the series move to Builth Wells, click here to pre enter and avoid the on the day queues
2019 Welsh Cyclo-cross round one official results
