Jody Crawforth (Hargroves Ridley Montezumas) was pushed all the way to the line by Jamie Norfolk (PedalOn) but had enough in the legs to win by a slender 3secs on the line. Along with Tom Budden (Sotonia CC) the three mad a quick break after the opening lap but the latter was to slip back as Jody and Jamie pushed the pace on the front.

Today’s round two was held on the disused golf course to the west of Swindon town centre. A tricky course included several tight off camber turns along with some rolling grass land as it twisted back at forth around two fields. Descent weather leading up to the race meant the course was firm and didn’t cut up much. The event was promoted and excellently organised by the local Cotswold Veldrijden club.

On the opening lap Tom Sewell (Cotswold Veldrijden) made a quick start and was first into the infield from the tarmac start, but he had Norfolk, Crawforth and Budden in close pursuit and It took the rest of the lap for the lead group of four to begin to ease a gap out on the chasers including David Spencer (VC Venta) and Joe Hickerton (Spokes BPC Racing).

On lap three the leader board saw Sewell beginning to lose ground as Crawforth and Norfolk got into a rhythm, Budden was being distanced but Hickerton was closing the gap and was soon with Sewell. The next two laps were decisive as our two leaders pushed on, Budden was now ayt 11secs, Hickerton at 40secs and Karl Norfolk (PedalOn) climbing into fifth place.

There were no significant changes in the leader board in the remaining laps as riders held station. The closing lap saw Callum Hughes (Banjo Cycles) get past both Spencer and Hickerton and the top ten was closed out by Daniel Atkins (Didcot Phoenix) and Caleb Smy (Bike Jockey CC). As the now two leaders weaved their way around the infield over the planks for the last time there was nothing between them. The two went out of sight for a short distance but as the rounded the final turn it was Crawforth who had enough to raise his hands on the line ahead of Norfolk.

Paul Lloyd (Worx Bikes) continued his strong start to the new in the seasons combined vet40/ junior race despite breaking away from a family holiday to race. Riding with Dan Guest (Cotswold Veldrijden) and Junior Will Cooper (Hargroves Ridley Montezumas) the three were far too strong for the remainder of the field. The next rider up was Barney Clacy (Hargroves Ridley Montezumas) but he was already riding alone unable to catch the lead group but never challenged from behind. On the final lap the three were together although Cooper was in a different race it was Lloyd who took top spot on the podium for the second week running.

Another rider having a good start to the season was Gary Barlow (Reading CC) in a repeat of last week’s result he held of the challenge of Kevin Holloway (GS Vecchi) and Dave McMullen (Cotswold Veldrijden) to take another win and extend his hold on the league.

In the Women’s combined race it was vet rider Helen Pattinson (Hargroves Ridley Montezumas) taking the overall win but she was pushed all the way by junior rider Alderney Baker (Team Empella CX.Com). The first senior rider was Lydia Brookes (Les Filles).

(photos here soon)

Results

(full results)

Seniors

1^st Jody Crawforth Hargroves Ridley Montezumas 59mins 51secs

2^nd Jamie Norfolk PedalOn @3secs

3^rd Tom Budden Sotonia @1min 48secs

4^th Karl Norfolk PedalOn

5^th Callum Hughes Banjo Cycles

6^th David Spencer VC Venta

7^th Joe Hickerton Spokes BPC Racing

8^th Tom Sewell Cotswold Veldrijden

9^th Daniel Atkins Didcot Phoenix

10^th Caleb Smy Bike Jockey

Vet 40+

1^st Paul Lloyd Worx Bikes

2^nd Dan Guest Cotswold Veldrijden @6secs

3^rd Roger Prior BC Jericho

4^th Phil Bowley Owens Cycles

5^th Jonathan Hall Sotonia

Juniors

1^st Will Cooper Hargroves Ridley Montezumas

2^nd Barney Clacy Hargroves Ridley Montezumas

3^rd Liam Sewell Cotswold Veldrijden

4^th Matthew Coulson PPV

5^th Joel Hawkins Hargroves Ridley Montezumas

Vet 50+

1^st Gary Barlow Reading CC

2^nd Kevin Holloway GS Vecchi

3^rd Dave McMullen Cotswold Veldrijden

4^th Andy Pollintine Dulwich Paragon

5^th Tim Costello GS Vecchi

Women seniors

1^st Lydia Brookes Les Filles

2^nd Lindy Larkin Sarum Velo

3^rd Kara Perryman Hargroves Ridley Montezumas

Women Vets

1^st Helen Pattinson Hargroves Ridley Montezumas

2^nd Harriet Guest Cotswold Veldrijden

3^rd Jessica Connor Cotswold Veldrijden

Juniors

1^st Alderney Baker Team Empella CX.Com