Fareham Wheelers hosted Round 2 of the 2023/2024 Wessex Season, with a superb course in Romsey. A mix of fast straights, tight, and sweeping corners made for exciting, yet very tough racing.
The ground had been baking in the heat for the week leading up to the race, which provided a rock-solid course to ride, but, when the rain started to pour down at 11am, we were greeted with more stereotypical cyclocross weather. With bikes clogging up with the freshly cut grass, and the course getting greasy, the racing was only getting tougher.
This, however, was not the case for the earlier racing, which was more like the scorcher of Clanfield last week. In the under 8 Female category, Martha Kiddell took the win again, which makes it two wins in a row for her. Emily Littlewood followed closely behind to take second, and Robyn Orchard rolled in to complete the podium. In the Male Category, Theo Plumb secured the win, with a great ride, Harry Wagstaff followed closely behind, and Noah Davis filled the podium, coming third.
The under 10 category was off next, and in the Female race, Ella Lamb had a storming ride, to lap the entire field on her way to victory. Maggie Sanderson was second, and Amelie Lewis, third. In the Male race, Edward Nicholls took another victory, making it back-to-back wins for him. Freddie Tosh followed closely to take second, and Fletcher Pierce took third.
The humid conditions continued for the under 12 racing. The female winner was Isabelle Mar-Molinero, who took her second victory this season with a strong ride. Florence Cooper improved on her result from Clanfield, coming second this week. Matilda Wilks rounded off the podium with third. William Terry took the win in the male race, followed closely by Isaac Richardson, and a great ride from Riley Tonner to take Third.
The under 16 category was up next, which always provides exciting racing. The bikes were clogging, and tactics were playing a part in success. Cypher Tindell had a storming start in the open category, followed by Sam Genazzini. Cypher ended up 5th, and Sam 7th. The win was taken by Thomas Allen, who rode a well-paced, strong ride, ahead of Niclas Olley, completing a Sotonia 1-2. Third wad Alarik Knox. Isla Pattinson took a comfortable win in the Female category, followed by Isabella Hall, and Isla Hoult, rolling in to take third.
Starting a minute behind the u16 category was the u14 category. In the female race, Eva Mar-Molinero took the win, followed by Emma Knox, and Sophie Jacobs. In the Open race, Harry Cooper had a great ride to take the victory, ahead of Thomas Wilks, and Guy Herrington.
Next up, one of the most heated categories of the day, the Vet 40 -49 and Juniors. In the open category, Miles Horner carried on his winning streak, taking the victory, followed by Sam Budd and James Martin. In the Vet 40-49, Paul Llyod was in fine form to take yet another victory, followed by Andrew Gardiner, and David Spencer.
The Female racing was as fast and competitive as usual. In the Junior race, Rebecca Gascoyne took the win, with Lucy Phillips in second, and Tabitha Ward in third. In the seniors, Elena Day secured victory, in front of Lindy Brazier-Larkin and Carly Ibbitson. In the 40-49, Elizabeth Hughes was victorious, after a great ride. Kate Robson followed, and in third, Rachel Clay. In the 50-59 category, Helen Pattinson was once again victorious with a strong ride. Katy Parsons claimed second, and Suzanne Wise completed the podium with third. In the 60+, Catherine Pascoe took the win, and in second place, Julie Hughes.
Next up, the Vet 50-59 open and 60+ category. In the 50-59’s, Tim Hyde had a strong ride to take the win, with Peter Tizzard in second place, followed closely by Phillip Boarer. In the 60+, Kev Holloway got his second win of the season with a very strong ride, to beat his team mate, John Alderman. In third place was Dave McMullen.
The last race of the day, and one of the fastest, the senior open. A bunched up fast start was what we expected, but David Bone came out on top to take victory, followed by Jordan Giles, and Oscar Hoult.
Well, we finally got some CX conditions, which were most definitely appreciated by many. Great racing by all, and a huge thank you to Fareham Wheelers for putting on such a great event and course. See you all at the next one!
Photos: Pitchside Paul
Provisional results: