Round 7, The South Downs Social Wessex CX League, Kingsclere

Newbury Velo and VeloClinic (one of the best bike fitters in the game), hosted round 7 of the 23/24 Wessex League, also seeming to produce one of the fastest, flowing courses of the season so far. Although Storm Ciarán hit us hard all week, the conditions on Sunday were more like Summer Cross!

First off, the under 8 races. In the male category, we were treated to a great battle between Noah Davis, Cotswold Velidrijen, and Oscar Jones, North Hants RC. Noah Davis came out on top, with Oscar Jones in second, and Thomas Coomber, Poole Wheelers, taking 3rd. In the female race, Theodora Hall, Kingston Junior CC, took the victory, ahead of Martha Kiddell, Poole Wheelers, and Emily Littlewood also of Poole Wheelers.

Under 10: Boys: Edward Nicholls, Hillingdon Slipstreamers, emerged as the victor, navigating the challenging course with precision, followed by Freddie Trosh, Sotonia CC, and Fletcher Pierce, Sprockets CC.

Girls: Kaira De Masa’s, Hillingdon Slipstreamers, determination paid off as she claimed the top spot in her category, lapping the rest of the field. Harriet Grundy, Sprockets CC, took 2nd, whilst Anoushka Lee, Solent Pirates, was third.

Under 12: Boys: Jacob Wadlow, Solent Pirates, impressed the crowd with his agility, taking home the gold, followed by William Terry, Poole Wheelers, and Jamie Kerry, Cotswold Veldrijden.

Girls: Isabelle Mar-Molinero, Solent Pirates, had an exceptional performance earned her first place in the girls’ category, followed by Florence Cooper, Palmer Park, and Eve Carline, Sotonia CC.

Under 14: Open: Harry Cooper, Palmer Park Velo, maintained a relentless pace to secure the championship in the boys’ category, lapping the whole field. Second place was Lenz Haring, Entente Cyclists, and Third, Adam Short, Cotswold Veldrijden.

Girls: Eva Mar-Molinero, Solent Pirates, dominated the girls’ category with impeccable control and speed, followed closely by Sophie Jacobs, Solent Pirates and Isla Watson, finishing of the Solent Pirates 1-2-3.

Under 16: Open : National Trophy series leader, Leon Atkins, Ribble Verge, took a resounding victory in the under 16 race, Alarik Knox, Verulam, took silver, and Niclas Olley, Sotonia CC, took third.

Girls: Isabella Hall, Sotonia CC, showcased her skill and tenacity to secure victory in the girls’ category, followed by Georgia Mahoney, Magspeed Racing, and Heidi Roscoe, Cheltenham Wheelers.

Junior: Open: It was a very close battle between Ben Coppola, Scott Racing, and Mack Mellish, TrainSharp, but a strong attack from Ben in the final laps secured him the victory, with Mack taking 2nd, and Reece Pittman, Lee Valley CC, with a strong ride, taking 3rd.

Female: Anna Patterson,Ignite Development,led the junior females with precision and speed, earning the top spot, Amelia Staunton, Sprockets CC, rolled in second, and Rebecca Gascoyne, Pedalon, took 3rd.

Veteran 40-49: Open: Paull Lloyd, Banjo Cycles, had a very strong ride, chasing the junior riders, at the same time, taking the win in his category. David Spencer, VC Venta, showed his strength taking 2nd, and James Gifillan, filling the podium.

Female: Elizabeth Hughes, Mudbath CC, demonstrated impeccable control and determination, clinching victory in the female category, closely followed by Kate Robson Pedalon, and Tracy Bremner, also riding for Pedalon, taking 3rd.

Veteran 50-59: Open: Mike Simpson, Beeline RT, led the way in the veteran 50-59 category, finishing ahead 1st, with Anthony Turner, Cotswold Veldrijden, rolling in 2nd, and Jamie Norfolk, Pedalon, taking 3rd.

Female: Hellen Pattinson, Montezuma’s RT, displayed her class by taking home the gold in the female category, Caroline Goward, Scott Racing, had a strong ride to take 2nd place, and Alison Ford, GS Vecchi, took 3rd.

Veteran 60+: Open: Tim Costello, continued to defy his age, securing first place in the veteran 60+ category, Kevin Holloway looked strong to take 2nd, and John Alderman took 3rd, finishing the GS Vecchi 1-2-3!!

Female: Lydia Gould, VC Venta, proved age is just a number, earning the top spot in her category, followed by Julie Hughes, Pedalon.

Senior: Open: Tom Couzens, Ribble Collective, had a storming ride to take the victory in this close race, Samuel Nisbet, University of Bath CC, took second, and Oscar Hutchings, Team for 2000, took third.

Female: Anna Boniface, Reading CC, took victory in her category, closely followed by Sarah Toms, RAFCA, and in third, Gemma Felstead, Veloccino.

Again, a huge thank you and well done to Newbury Velo and Veloclinic, and everyone involved, for such a great, well organised event, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. We have a couple of weeks off racing, but we’ll see you all on the 26th for Dalton Barracks!