This weekend brings the National Cyclo Cross Championships in Shrewsbury, at the Sports Village, and judging by the reports on the expected under-wheel conditions, those Wessex Riders who rode the Crabwood Event last weekend will have had some good practice, so I hope your wheel clearances are large and your pit crews have plenty of water. Wessex are well represented across the Categories with the following who will be taking the starters gun –
Veteran Women
- Claire Smith Cotswold Veldrijden
- Helen Pattinson Solent Pirates
Veteran Men 50+
- Sean Bolton Cotswold Veldrijden
- Martyn Dymond Cotswold Veldrijden
- Philip Boarer GS Vecchi
- Tim Costello GS Vecchi
- Kevin Holloway GS Vecchi
- Anthony Dyment North Hants RC
- Chris Hutchings VC Venta
- Rob Tutt GS Europa
- Steve Davies Hargroves Cycles – Ridley RT
- Malcolm Cross VC Venta
- Charlie Elsey Newbury RC
- Pete Hargroves Hargroves Cycles – Ridley RT
- Dave McMullen Cotswold Veldrijden
- Andy Roberts Cotswold Veldrijden
Youth Girls
- Alderney Baker Corley Cycles – Drops RT
- Katie Scott Cotswold Veldrijden
- Amy Perryman Solent Pirates
- Anna Wadsworth Beeline Bicycles RT
- Maddie Wadsworth Beeline Bicycles RT
- Emily Conn Palmer Park Velo RT
- Alexa Hawkins Palmer Park Velo RT
- Amy Cantello Solent Pirates
- Poppy Pattinson Solent Pirates
- Millie Couzens Zappi’s CC
Youth Boys
- Barney Clacy Chapel Tristars
- Archie Scott Cotswold Veldrijden
- Will Cooper I-Team CC
- Angus Hawkins Palmer Park Velo RT
- Callum Macleod Palmer Park Velo RT
- Tom Couzens Zappi’s CC
- Fletcher Adams Hargroves Cycles – Ridley RT
- Sam Bishop Charlotteville CC
- Arthur Boulton Palmer Park Velo RT
- Euan Macleod Palmer Park Velo RT
- Max Meadwell Solent Pirates
Veteran Men 40-49
- Jason Merriott Army Cycle Union
- Robin Wilmott Cotswold Veldrijden
- Crispin Doyle Hargroves Cycles – Ridley RT
- Dan Guest Performance Cycles
- Ray Robinson Army Cycling Union
- Mark Shepherd Banjo Cycles
- Keith Sheridan Cotswold Veldrijden
- Alan Collins Portsmouth North End
- Simon Meadwell Solent Pirates
- Richard Bennett Wessex Raiders
Under 23 Men
- Joseph Andrews Private Member
Under 23 Women
- Emily Wadsworth Beeline – Gener8
Junior Men
- Chris Rothwell Ride 24/7
- Harry Rose Zappi’s RT
Elite Women
- Sarah Barber North Hants RC
Elite Men
- Ben Sumner Beeline – Gener8
- Sam Allen Pedalon
- Adrian Lansley Pedalon
- Karl Norfolk Pedalon
- Alex Forrester Zepnat – Lazer Helmets RT
So in total 57 riders will be travelling from Wessex with the high expectations of winning medals individually and with great prospects of a few Team Championships. Indeed there are defending Champions Helen Pattinson, Dave McMullen and Hargroves Cycles/Ridley RT in the Elite and Overall competition all aiming to reproduce their rides from last season.
Wessex League wish you every success in your races and hope you achieve/exceed your personal race expectations.