Ben Sumner (Beeline Cycles) won the latest round of the Wessex Cyclo Cross league held at the Army training centre within the Sir John Moore Barracks near to Winchester and was promoted by the Eden Veranda Race Team. The 22 year old from Reading continued his fine form at the start of the new season winning his third Wessex League race this season.

Right from the start of the race Sumner was on it pulling out a good lead as they approached the third wooded section just before completing the first lap. Behind Ben riders were scraping for places with last week’s winner Sam Allen (PedalOn) second and Matt Macdonald third although his race was to be cut short with illness. Chasing leaders were Paul Lloyd (Rides on Air), Scott Chappell (Behind the Bikeshed) and a pair of Eden veranda riders James Cotty and Joe Hickerton.

After one lap the race settles down with one change as Richard Mardle (NFTO) gets amongst the chasing pack and is soon running neck and neck with Allen. As the laps ticked away Sumner increased his lead to nearly 20secs over Allen and Mardle and Lloyd at 26secs and the rest beginning to lose time and the long arduous course took its toll. Behind the leading group was a good battle between Paul Double (VC Veranda) in his first cross race, Scott Chappell and Jamie Norfolk (PedalOn).

The last three laps didn’t see any change in position with Sumner leading Mardle and Allen with Lloyd nearly 90secs down. As Sumner had already finished all eyes were on the battle for second place. Allen came into view first with Mardle right on his wheel. As they entered the wooded section Mardle made a move and exited the trees first to finish 6secs ahead of the PedalOn rider.

below: The sandpit was a great specator point

In the vet 50+ race Steven Davies (Hargroves Cycles) was again the winner, his fourth straight win of the season with another gun to flag win. Davies soon built up a lead over Dave McMullen (Cotswold Veldrijden) and Tim Costello (GS Vecchi). Also running near to the front were Kevin Holloway (VC 10), Chris Hutchings (VC Venta) and Phil Boarer (Blazing Saddles).

Sarah Barber (NHRC) was again the winner of the women’s race winning by 20secs from Fay Cripps (Southdown Bikes) and Helen Pattinson on the third step of the podium. Sarah led the race from the start as Pattinson and Cripps traded place early on and Susan Parker was right there with them. Natasha Reddy (RP Racing) was 6^th and the first junior. With a couple of laps to go Barber led Cripps by 20secs who in turn led Pattinson by 25secs. Parker was just out the top four with Rosy Brown (Westbury Wheelers) fifth and Natasha Reddy sixth.

below: NHRC had a strong womens team

Dan Guest (Performance Cycles) won the vet40 race from Crispin Doyle (Hargroves Cycles) with Tom Sewell winning the junior race his fourth of the season.

below:  Archie Scott on his way to winning the Youth Race

Report by Graham Robins

Photo Gallery by Graham Robins click HERE

Full results by Black Sheep Timing  click HERE

All queries about the results should be sent by email to blacksheepsportsltd@gmail.com

 

Provisional Results

Seniors

1^st Ben Sumner Beeline Cycles 55mins 22secs

2^nd Richard Mardle NFTO @14secs

3^rd Sam Allen PedalOn @20secs

4^th Paul Lloyd Rides on Air @1min 53secs

5^th Scott Chappell Behind the Bikeshed @2mins 17secs

 

Vet40

1^st Dan Guest Performance Cycles 42mins 09secs

2^nd Crispin Doyle Hargroves Cycles @58secs

3^rd Greg Tognarelli South Down Bikes @3mins 32secs

4^th Graham Rogerson Cotswold Veldrijden

5^th Gary Barlow Reading CC

 

Juniors

1^st Tom Sewell Cotswold Veldrijden

2^nd Joshua Hooper Primera Sport

3^rd Charlie Cooper Eden Veranda RT

 

Vet 50

1^st Steve Davies Hargroves Cycles

2^nd Dave McMullen Cotswold Veldrijden @1min 19secs

3^rd Tim Costello GS Vecchi @1min 35secs

4^th Kevin Holloway VC-10

5^th Chris Hutchings VC Venta

 

Women

1^st Sarah Barber North Hants RC 43mins 27secs

2^nd Fay Cripps South Downs Bikes @20secs

3^rd Helen Pattinson Solent Pirates @25secs

4^th Susan Parker NHRC

5^th Georgie Panchaud Cycleworks.co.uk

 

Juniors

1^st Natasha Reddy RP Racing

2^nd Kara Perryman Solent Pirates

3^rd Emma Pitt PPV