Round 8, The South Downs Social Wessex CX League, Dalton Barracks

Take 3 Tri hosted round 8 of the South Downs Social Wessex League 2023/2024, our first race in proper Cyclocross conditions. The course was slippery, and very muddy in places, providing a technical, yet fast course. Conditions were challenging, the corners were difficult, but very challenging to ride at speed, providing excellent racing for all categories, and let’s be honest, it’s pretty cool racing around tanks!

Under 8 Races:

Female: Martha Kiddell, Poole Wheelers, continued her winning streak, something we are getting used to, with a brilliant ride, in some of the coldest conditions of the day. Emily Littlewood of Cotswold Velidrijen took second place, under a minute behind. Emma Coomber, Poole Wheelers, took third.

Male: Oscar Jones, North Hants CC, took the victory in his category, with a fast start, meaning he led from the gun! Thomas Coomber, Poole Wheelers, was close to his wheel, but couldn’t quite catch up, resulting in second place. Noah Davis, Cotswold Velidrijen, took third, very close to second, but not quite there.

Under 10:

As the terrain grew increasingly treacherous, the Under 10 riders displayed incredible determination, showcasing their evolving cycling prowess. Splashes of mud decorated their jerseys, a testament to the intensity of the race. In the female category, Kaira De Masa, Hillingdon SS, dominated her race, with Nancy Wagstaff, Sprockets CC, taking second place, and Amélie Lewis, Pedalon, taking third. In the male race, Edward Nicholls Hillingdon Slipstreamers, took victory, closely followed by Freddie Trosh, Sotonia CC, and very close behind, but finishing third, Fletcher Pierce, Sprockets CC.

Under 12:

The Under 12 category witnessed fierce competition, with young riders skillfully manoeuvring through the mud pits and over obstacles. In the female Category, Isabella Mar-Molinero, Solent Pirates, was back onto the top step after leading the first lap, but it wasn’t easy, as Florence Cooper, Palmer Park, was in fine form, closing her down, but eventually finishing just 10 seconds behind. Eve Carline, Sotonia, took third. The top 3 were all within 30 seconds!

Under 14:

The under 14 riders faced a formidable challenge, with mud-caked turns and slippery descents testing their control and agility, as the first race to use the whole course. The competition in this category showcased not only skill but also the resilience of the young riders. In the female category, we were treated to a proper cx battle, between Sophie Jacobs, Solent Pirates, and her team mate, Eva Mar-Molinero. It came down to a 1000th of a second, but it was Sophie Jacobs who had the better sprint along the tarmac finishing straight, bringing her the win. Georgia Lovett, Palmer Park, was reeling the leaders in during her final lap, but couldn’t quite catch them, bringing her third place. In the open category, Harry Cooper, Palmer Park had a storming ride to take victory, leading from the start. Thomas Wilks, Sotonia CC, took second, closely followed by Daniel Branford, Poole Wheelers, who took third.

Under 16:

The under 16 riders tackled the tough course, with finesse and speed, and riders showing us their promising futures. In the female race, Isabella Hall, Sotonia CC, took a dominant win, ahead of Katie Allsop, ROTOR race team, and Heidi Roscoe, of Cheltenham Town Wheelers. In the open category, Theo Sandell, Southborough Wheelers, took 1st place. It was a close battle for the remaining podium places. Three Sotonia riders battling hard, Monty Flavell, Niclas Olley and Tom Allen. Come the last lap, Niclas and Monty closed the gap to their team mate Tom, and with a fast finish, Monty snatched second place, with Tom third in a thrilling 3-up sprint.

Junior:

The Open Junior category always promises a spectacle, and it was no different today. A fast start from Ben Coppola, Scott Sports, and Mack Mellish, TrainSharp, meant we were in for an exciting race. The mud proved challenging, and Ben pulled away mid race, eventually finishing over a minute ahead. George Connel, Sotonia, was third. In the Female category, Anna Patterson, Ignite, proved she was the fastest through the technical course, taking a strong victory. Amelia Staunton, Sprockets CC, took second, whilst Emma Harrison, Sotonia CC, took third.

Vet 40/49:

In the open category, Paul Lloyd, Banjo Cycles, had a dominant ride, posting consecutive fastest laps in the race, whilst battling with the junior males. David Spencer, VC Venta, took second, and Jay Tarrant, New Forest CC, was third. In the female category, Kate Robison, Pedalon, took the win, with a dominant ride ahead of Fran White, Bicester CC, and in third, Judit Danniel, VC Venta.

Vet 50/59 and 60+.

In the open category – Vet 50-59, Lewis King, ROTOR RT, battled through the mud to take victory in his category, Anthony Turner, Cotswold Velidrijen. Andrew Plewes, Liss CC, took third please, with a strong ride. In the female Vet 50-59, Helen Pattinson, Montezumas RT, handled the mud with usual expertise to take 1st place, Caroline Goward, Scott Racing, took 2nd, and Alison Ford, GS Vecchi, took 3rd. In the Vet 60+ Open Category, Kev Holloway, GS Vecchi continued his Wessex winning streak, through his power and technical prowess. Tim Costello, also of GS Vecchi took second place, and Steve Jones, Banjo Cycles, battled hard for third. In the female category, Julie Hughes, Pedalon, added another consecutive win to her collection, followed by Catherine Pascoe, of New Forest CC.

Senior Category:

Tom Couzens, Montezuma RT, was back at Wessex this week, posting incredibly fast lap times too take the victory, but David Bone, RC Ravenna, was close behind, but didn’t quite have the speed of Tom. Oscar Hoult of VC Venta took third. In the Female category, Alderney Baker, Team Empella, showed her technical ability, and power to ride away from her competitors from the gun. Niamh Murphy, Montezumas RT, had a great ride to take second, and Sarah Toms, RAFCA, took third.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in such a brilliant course, and I think it’s safe to say the CX weather Gods have blessed us with some proper weather. It’s Regional Champs this weekend at Keynsham – last chance to enter tonight, but we’re back properly on the 17th of December for a rider favourite – Clanfield Cross!