Graham Robins is no longer doing his much-loved race reports so this year we’re putting up a collection of what you send in. The more you send, the better the report!
Cyclocross lovers were relishing the prospect of Reading: one of our most loved courses and rain forecast! We weren’t disappointed!
In brief
Mark Allen After my 2nd CX ever and being tail end Charlie in VET40’s again, I completely understand why it’s so much fun.
Mike Vickers No soundbites or photos but would just like to say – what a fantastic day. GREAT course, lovely mud at last and good racing.
Jan Sc Fell off 5/7 times on the steep descent on summer tires. Great cheering the times I stayed on!
U8 & U10
Despite the forecast, it was a warm, dry start to the day though, leading to fast and furious racing for the younger age categories.
U12
With Wout van Aert, MVDP, Alaphilippe and Teunissen showing the road scene how it’s done, Harrison Hendy is leading the fightback from the road riders. He led for much of the race before being pipped by Charlie and Douglas Forrester. Lauren Charles won the girls race, with Isabella Hall just five seconds behind.
A few drops of rain during the practice period after the U12 race had some riders eyeing their original tyre choice with suspicion.
U14 & U16
The heavens had opened now, leading to a slippy race, and a nail-biting finish for the U16 boys win, with Toby Houghton just pipping Nathan Cracknell. The Girls race was close too, with Madeline Cooper 12 seconds ahead of Niamh Murphy. The U14 saw confident wins for Greta Carey and Ben Coppola.
Vet 40 & Junior
Paul Lloyd had a commanding lead over Crispin Doyle and Alex Forrester midway though the V40 race but, with conditions worsening and Paul on ‘intermediate’ tyres, Alex and his mud tyres bridged across to him on the final two laps. A heavy fall for Paul on the treacherous ‘chute’ allowed Alex passed for the win. Sam Coulson battled with the lead V40 riders early in the race and took a convincing win in the Juniors.
Chris Mingo was a little laid back with his timings, but had a good day out anyhow:
I felt I really got my first real taste of cyclocross today. Apart from my schoolboy error of not making the start in the v40 race. As I went through the start the last place riders were coming out of the trees. Off I went chasing halfway up the first hill, ran the last bit and making my way through the riders. 2nd hill bike on my shoulder and ran up I went. Well, end of the day finish all ok and yeh 71st same as rd1. Happy days loved it. 👍🏼”
Women
Lindy Brazier-Larkin stormed away from the rest of the field in the women’s race. Jen Forrester and Alison Ford took first in the V40 and V50 categories, with Alexa Hawkins winning the Juniors.
Gemma Wilks smashed the climb!
Vet 50
A strong win for Kevin Holloway, and a lot of fun by the looks of it!
Senior & U23
Adrian Lansley won! Look up why Katie Compton is known as Katie ‘F’ Compton. We should perhaps be calling Ade “AFL”?
