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Yorkshire 'Cross Finale Finishes in High Drama

The final round of the Yorkshire Points Cyclo-Cross series took riders to Todmorden, where a distinctive and tough course awaited. We have a report, three videos and below that a small selection of Joolze Dymond's lovely photos from the event. Many, many more of Joolze's shots are  on her Flickr set from the event

Video: Senior Race plus interviews including Chris Young and Dan Cook - video by Joolze Dymond

Report

A little taste of Belgium, that's what the promo for round 9 of the Yorkshire points series promised and that's exactly what the committed riders got when they turned up at the Central Vale Park, Todmorden on the 2nd Jan. On first inspection, the Belgian link may have been a bit tenuous. Despite a good smattering of supporters, sightings of beer and a plentiful supply of frits and a good old brass band, many competitors may have wondered what all the fuss was about, that is until they rode the course! And then they found the infamous cobbled climb. Missing from last year's race due to the snowy conditions, here it was in 2011 in all its steep, polished, mud slicked glory!

It was a race breaker, as well as soul sapper, no doubt! Those that managed to tackle it on the bike fared better than those who scrambled up by foot. Indeed in the Vets race the climb was the clincher with eventual race winner Dan Cook managing to climb it every lap, whilst rival Mike Young failed on the final lap giving Cook the break he needed after such a close fought race.

In the women's race it was a rider seemingly a long way from home, but actually a Northerner just visiting the south for now, Delia Beddis, who took the win, coming home in the top 30 of the overall race.

Earlier in the day we had been treated to a thrilling Youth race with some close racing from a talent packed field. However the front runners Jake Wormersley, Billy Harding and Edwyn Oliver-Evans soon had the bit between the teeth as they strung out the field behind them, with Wormersley eventually taking the win just over 30 seconds ahead of Harding.

The main race of the day, the junior and senior men's race provided both controversy and entertainment. Those in the know hot footed it to the cobbled climb to cheer on those weary foot soldiers that had to slog up time and time again, with their entertainment coming from the aptly placed disco and the top of the climb.

Rob Jebb had made his move early on, taking a comfortable lead by lap 3 chased hard by rising junior talent Jack Clarkson, while the rest of the field tried hard to keep on terms with the front end.

Coming into the final lap, Jebb had a real stroke of rotten luck, with his bike digesting its own rear mech' seconds after passing the pits. Finding himself in need of a replacement bike Jebb probably knew there and then he was in big trouble. The rules say that you have to continue round the course to the pits before changing your bike.

Knowing that he'd forfeit the race by returning, but also knowing he'd have no chance of winning anyway, Jebb turned back to the pits picked up a new bike and continued, crossing the line in first but being instantly disqualified. With the nationals next weekend, he probably felt it was better to finish the job quickly, have the morale-boosting feeling of coming in first, and put the disqualification down to being just one of those things.

However, the drama wasn't quite over. Having lost one race winner, the search was now on for his replacement. On paper that should have been Jack Clarkson. But, amazingly, given what had happened to Jebb, Clarkson had been spotted riding a section of the race outside the tape and he was docked 20 seconds, which was enough to demote him to third, leaving the win to be claimed by a bemused Chris Young, who had originally crossed the line third, having passed Rob Watson in the final tight bends coming into the finish by jumping off his bike and running.

It was possibly the most bizarre and controversial ending to a ‘Cross race in the Yorkshire league's history. Clarkson was, in particular, a little unlucky as the section of the course upon which he was seen to ride outside the tapes was actually a problem all day with riders repeatedly breaking the tapes. The temptation to move onto the tarmac at this point was too much for a lot of riders and caused some ill-feeling during the latter stages of the Vets and Women's race too. Have a look at both James Lyon's on-board video and Joolze Dymond's race video for scenes of flapping and entangled tape.

Hopefully all the late drama won't detract from what was once again a distinctive, challenging and otherwise very enjoyable and well-run event. The day ended with the winners being duly showered with magnums of Chimay - one of Belgium's best loved beers and a must for all CX races!

Video: Helmet Cam - lap one of the Senior race on-board with James Lyon

Video: "That Cobbled Climb" - the youth riders tackle the course's signature challenge - video by Richard Seipp - read Richard's tale of rear-mech woe in his blog, "A Lap and a Half"

Images

Mike Young leads eventual winner Dan Cook in the Vets' race - they are on the dreaded cobbled climb, which is such a feature of this event

Most preferred to walk - indeed, most were forced to walk on the super-slick stones

Dan Cook shows it can be done

Chris Young, who won the Senior race, with organiser, Chipps Chippendale

Results

Youths
1 Jake Womersley Sowerby Bros 4 laps in 26:35.2
2 Billy Harding Paul Milnes Cycles 4 laps in 27:09.1
3 Edwyn Oliver-Evans East Bradford 4 laps in 27:53.0
4 James Scot Planet X 4 laps in 29:49.3
5 Joe Dransfield Wakefield Tri 4 laps in 29:58.5
6 Benny Pygott Pedalsport CC 4 laps in 30:13.7
7 Seb Marsh Paul Milnes Cycles 4 laps in 30:54.0
8 Sam Roper 4 laps in 32:37.7
9 Zoe Armstrong Raleigh 4 laps in 33:23.7
10 Sam Dransfield Wakefield Tri 4 laps in 33:53.0
11 Robert Armstrong Raleigh 4 laps in 34:30.4
12 Chris Barnes Seacroft Wheelers 4 laps in 34:52.2
13 Reece Wood Aire Valley RT 4 laps in 35:18.3
14 Oliver Payton Cyclesport Pendle 3 laps in 27:15.7
15 Adam Hartsley Eastlands Velo 3 laps in 27:37.9
16 Rob Harper Wakefield Tri 3 laps in 28:12.8
17 Amira Mellor HVW 3 laps in 28:15.3
18 Matthew Walls Eastlands Velo 3 laps in 28:29.0
19 Tom Simpson Cyclewise Whinlatter 3 laps in 28:37.1
20 Jamie Morgan Pedalsport CC 3 laps in 28:45.5
21 Jacob Peatfield Bolton Hot Wheels 3 laps in 29:36.1
22 Lauren Obrien Wakefield Tri 3 laps in 29:55.5
23 Joseph Peatfied Bolton Hot Wheels 3 laps in 30:06.1
24 Ruby Pilling Wakefield Tri 3 laps in 31:19.5
25 Ben Dransfield Wakefield Tri 3 laps in 31:33.9
26 Leon Crossley Wakefield Tri 3 laps in 31:51.7
27 Hannah Saville Norton Wheelers 3 laps in 34:21.9
28 Joe Parker Crosstrax 2 laps in 28:20.6

Under-10
1 Jenson Young Pedalsport CC 4 laps in 11:24.7
2 Matt Taylor Pedalsport CC 4 laps in 12:46.1
3 Ava Oxley Wakefield Tri 4 laps in 13:13.8
4 Adam Nelson 4 laps in 13:29.0
5 Tom Whitworth Hudds RC 4 laps in 13:44.0
6 Tyler K Bolton Hot Wheels 4 laps in 13:59.7
7 James Ince Woodhouse 4 laps in 14:38.1
8 Alex Grice East Bradford 4 laps in 14:57.0
9 Jacob Feetham Wakefield Tri 4 laps in 30:35.1
10 Lewis Hartley Eastlands 4 laps in 31:22.5
11 Thomas Humphrey Wakefield Tri 4 laps in 31:38.1
12 Nathan Hawthorn CSP 4 laps in 31:43.2
13 Jamie Ridehalgh Aire Valley 4 laps in 32:38.0
14 Joe Pilling Wakefield Tri 4 laps in 33:00.7
15 Jack Ford HVW 4 laps in 33:49.4
16 Adam Fortune Pedalsport CC 3 laps in 11:29.7
17 Isaac Peatfield Bolton Hot Wheels 3 laps in 11:58.5
18 Lewis Kipping 3 laps in 12:00.0
19 Harry Kershaw Velocake 3 laps in 12:28.7
20 Thomas Ford HVW 3 laps in 12:34.0
21 Marcus Hiley Pedalsport CC 3 laps in 12:36.6
22 Nathan Page 3 laps in 12:43.9
23 Owen D R Valley 3 laps in 12:53.0
24 Lily Haygarth Wheelbase 3 laps in 12:56.9
25 Annie Feetham Wakefield Tri 3 laps in 12:58.5
26 Lucy Whearty Pedalsport CC 3 laps in 13:05.5
27 Toby Kershaw Velocake 3 laps in 13:07.4
28 Ben Pickard JD CYCLES 3 laps in 13:36.2
29 Alex Bailey HSW 3 laps in 13:40.0
30 Nathan Fortune Pedalsport CC 3 laps in 14:03.1
31 Taylor Nunn Paul Milnes Cycles 3 laps in 14:31.0
32 Elphina Waterman HVW 3 laps in 14:39.7
33 T Seipp HTBC 3 laps in 14:46.8
34 Soljai Waterman HVW 3 laps in 15:29.3
35 Jack Boston Cyclesport Pendle 3 laps in 30:39.8
36 Competitor No 32 (Id 40) 3 laps in 31:21.2
37 Felicity Gledhill HVW 3 laps in 31:33.8
38 Dominic Rutter CSP 3 laps in 31:35.3
39 Josh Greenwood KCA 3 laps in 32:32.1
40 Matt Turner Cyclesport Pendle 3 laps in 32:33.5
41 Oliver Hick HVW 2 laps in 13:00.0
42 Ella Pickard JD Cycles 2 laps in 13:17.6
43 Elena Hick HVW 2 laps in 14:17.4
44 Elsie Haygarth Wheelbase 1 laps in 09:47.6
45 Jack Dorrington Here Come The Belgians 1 laps in 24:36.7
46 Nicole Stiff Pedalsport CC 1 laps in 24:55.6

Under-12
1 Jenson Young Pedalsport CC 4 laps in 11:24.7
2 Matt Taylor Pedalsport CC 4 laps in 12:46.1
3 Adam Nelson 4 laps in 13:29.0
4 Tom Whitworth Hudds RC 4 laps in 13:44.0
5 Tyler K Bolton Hot Wheels 4 laps in 13:59.7
6 James Ince Woodhouse 4 laps in 14:38.1
7 Alex Grice East Bradford 4 laps in 14:57.0
8 Adam Fortune Pedalsport CC 3 laps in 11:29.7
9 Isaac Peatfield Bolton Hot Wheels 3 laps in 11:58.5
10 Lewis Kipping 3 laps in 12:00.0
11 Harry Kershaw Velocake 3 laps in 12:28.7
12 Thomas Ford HVW 3 laps in 12:34.0
13 Owen D R Valley 3 laps in 12:53.0
14 Toby Kershaw Velocake 3 laps in 13:07.4
15 Ben Pickard JD CYCLES 3 laps in 13:36.2
16 Taylor Nunn Paul Milnes Cycles 3 laps in 14:31.0

Veteran/Women
1 Dan Cook Planet X 7 laps in 50:07.5
2 Mike Young Pedalsport CC 7 laps in 51:21.4
3 Dave Haygarth Wheelbase 7 laps in 51:32.6
4 Jonathan Watson Charge Bikes 7 laps in 51:50.5
5 John Hick 7 laps in 52:41.5
6 Chris Taylor Pedalsport CC 7 laps in 53:37.4
7 Richard Binks HVW 7 laps in 54:18.5
8 Julian Hodgson Pedalsport CC 7 laps in 54:40.5
9 Alan Dorrignton Here Come the Belgians 7 laps in 55:28.1
10 Pete Wilkin Fietsen Tempo 7 laps in 56:16.8
11 Marcus Spencer Batley CC 7 laps in 56:23.6
12 Darrell Bradbury Norton Wheelers 7 laps in 56:32.0
13 Dean Smith St. Helens CRC 7 laps in 56:42.0
14 Wayne Nicholson Yorkcycleworks 7 laps in 56:58.2
15 Justin Mogan Pedalsport CC 7 laps in 57:03.8
16 Richard Allen Here Come The Belgians 7 laps in 57:37.7
17 Alistair Dow Bicyclesworks 7 laps in 58:36.0
18 Mark Ferguson Oldham Ruffyeds 6 laps in 50:22.0
19 Myles Chandler Batley CC 6 laps in 50:40.0
20 Colin Moses Wharfdale Harriers 6 laps in 50:45.9
21 Steve Smales Boneshakers RT 6 laps in 50:48.3
22 Jonathan Boothman Pendle Forrest 6 laps in 51:00.1
23 Ian Obrien Wakefield Tri 6 laps in 51:09.8
24 Rick Stuart Helm Hill Runners 6 laps in 51:26.7
25 David Jennaway 6 laps in 51:45.6
26 Martin T Ross? RC 6 laps in 51:58.5
27 Delia Beddis Dulwich Paragon 6 laps in 52:04.9
28 John Belson Harrogate Nova 6 laps in 52:34.3
29 Carl Nelson Here Come the Belgians 6 laps in 52:57.2
30 Steve Rimmer HVW 6 laps in 53:00.2
31 Simon Pickard Jedicycle 6 laps in 53:42.5
32 Tim Evans East Bradford CC 6 laps in 53:54.5
33 Charles Warren 6 laps in 54:30.6
34 John Ginley Condor RC 6 laps in 54:36.8
35 Brian Perks Pedalsport CC 6 laps in 55:20.6
36 Kevin Saville Norton Wheelers 6 laps in 55:23.9
37 Graham Bird Bradford RCC 6 laps in 55:40.6
38 Jon Howard Wakefield Tri 6 laps in 55:43.5
39 John Rowland Richardsons CC 6 laps in 55:47.9
40 Neil Pilling Wakefield Tri 6 laps in 56:08.4
41 Phil Ingham Pedalsport CC 6 laps in 56:14.0
42 Mark Anderton Tod Harriers 6 laps in 57:26.5
43 Steve Lloyd Bronte Wheelers 6 laps in 57:41.6
44 Dick Ballantine Keighley and Craven 6 laps in 57:43.0
45 David Todd Drighlington BC 6 laps in 57:46.5
46 Lynn Bland Norton Wheelers 6 laps in 58:14.3
47 Kevin Hickie Bronte Wheelers 6 laps in 58:32.2
48 Peter Payton Cyclesport Pendle 6 laps in 58:33.5
49 John Rutter CSP 6 laps in 58:52.4
50 Clive Greatorax 6 laps in 59:03.0
51 Mike Cleary Manchester Wheelers 6 laps in 59:09.3
52 Mark Turner Here Come The Belgians 6 laps in 59:13.6
53 Craig Forrester 6 laps in 59:57.1
54 Steve Barnes Zepnat RT 5 laps in 39:22.3
55 David Clark Cheekytrails 5 laps in 50:13.8
56 Paul Simpson Kendle AC 5 laps in 50:50.6
57 Owen Henriksen Norton Wheelers 5 laps in 50:56.9
58 Simon Fox Here Come the Belgians 5 laps in 51:12.4
59 Nick Waggett Clifton CC 5 laps in 51:34.4
60 Kirsty Forrester Cheeky Dior 5 laps in 51:55.4
61 Phil Haygarth Here Come the Belgians 5 laps in 52:23.9
62 Sean Molloy 5 laps in 52:49.8
63 John Ainscough Blazing Saddles 5 laps in 52:51.7
64 John Gilmore East Liverpool Wheelers 5 laps in 53:23.5
65 Andrea Halman Norton Wheelers 5 laps in 53:30.9
66 Phil Thackray Paul Milnes RT/Bradford Oly 5 laps in 53:32.3
67 Brian Crossley Wakefield Junior Tri 5 laps in 53:35.0
68 Stephen Lord Unattached 5 laps in 55:17.6
69 Chris Parker East Bradford 5 laps in 55:35.0
70 Martin Silkstone Pedalsport CC 5 laps in 56:04.1
71 Richard Rowlands 5 laps in 56:44.7
72 Ian Small Zodiac CRC 5 laps in 57:44.5
73 Larry Walls 5 laps in 58:12.6
74 Paul Livsey Darwen Dashers 5 laps in 58:15.8
75 Andrew ? Unattached 5 laps in 58:59.5
76 Andrew Bernard 5 laps in 59:01.6
77 Garry Marsh Seacroft Wheelers 5 laps in 01:27.0
78 Clive Nutton Bradford and Bingley Canoe Club 5 laps in 01:57.7
79 Chris Nunn Paul Milnes Cycles 5 laps in 02:11.6
80 Steven Cavell Here Come the Belgians 5 laps in 02:26.8
81 Clare Crabtree Pedalsport CC 4 laps in 53:15.3
82 Fred Rothwell Paul Milnes RT / Bradford Oly 4 laps in 55:45.1
83 R Johnson Ranger 4 laps in 00:38.2
84 Mark Bradley Here Come The Belgians 2 laps in 24:08.2
85 Dermot Mckee 1 laps in 08:22.6
86 R Seipp Here Come the Belgians 1 laps in 09:46.7
87 Paul Sleford Norton Wheelers 1 laps in 10:47.3
88 Rachael Mellor HVW 1 laps in 11:43.0

Seniors/Juniors
1 Chris Young Wheelbase 8 laps in 54:33.6
2 Robert Watson Paul Milnes Cycles 8 laps in 54:38.1
3 Jack Clarkson Pedalsport CC 8 laps in 54:43.3
4 Tim Baldwin Paul Milnes Cycles 8 laps in 55:40.8
5 Lewis Craven Wheelbase 8 laps in 55:58.3
6 Joe Moses Paul Milnes Cycles 8 laps in 57:10.1
7 Paul Bethell Team Elite 8 laps in 57:11.8
8 Ian Taylor Craven Energy Tri 8 laps in 58:05.2
9 Noel Clough Wheelbase 8 laps in 59:45.7
10 Simon Maudsley Crosstrax 8 laps in 01:06.2
11 Tom Armstrong Wheelbase 8 laps in 04:07.5
12 Paul Young Wheelbase 7 laps in 53:28.8
13 Matt Denby Zepnat RT 7 laps in 53:37.9
14 Johnny Limebear Batley CC 7 laps in 54:40.7
15 Nick Barnes Zepnat RT 7 laps in 56:36.9
16 James Dalton Salsa Factory Race Team 7 laps in 57:19.1
17 Anthony Morris Evans Cycles RT 7 laps in 58:23.2
18 Martin Woffindin CSP 7 laps in 58:56.5
19 Greg Mayes Team WORC 7 laps in 59:41.9
20 Richard Crabtree Pedalsport CC 7 laps in 00:23.2
21 Jerrod Hartley Cleveleys RC 7 laps in 00:49.9
22 Greg McNally GMFRS 7 laps in 01:14.6
23 Chris Smith Manchester Tri 7 laps in 02:12.8
24 Tim Kershaw Velocake 7 laps in 02:29.7
25 Graeme Bird Unattached 6 laps in 48:07.2
26 Ed McParland GT UK 6 laps in 49:14.6
27 Jon Hobson Chevin Cycles 6 laps in 53:41.9
28 Tom Jolly Pedalsport CC 6 laps in 53:41.0
29 Luke Dabbs University of Manchester CC 6 laps in 53:44.1
30 Richard Allan 6 laps in 53:57.4
31 David Switzer Lune RCC 6 laps in 54:08.6
32 Mark Richmond Ilkley 6 laps in 54:09.9
33 Ian Blackburn 6 laps in 54:19.3
34 David George Team T? 6 laps in 54:27.6
35 Ben Hookway Willis Wheels CC 6 laps in 55:00.1
36 David Powell Team JMC / Ragley 6 laps in 55:37.4
37 Rob Rawlinson 6 laps in 58:26.5
38 Tom Hill 6 laps in 58:29.1
39 P Simcock JMC IT 6 laps in 58:49.1
40 Jason Miles Team JMC / Ragley 6 laps in 59:37.7
41 Paul Kershaw 6 laps in 00:18.3
42 Scot Bilington Ruffyeds 6 laps in 01:08.6
43 Rik Thompson Cyclesense 6 laps in 01:44.2
44 Matt Wild Shutt VR 6 laps in 02:22.6
45 Ian Roberts HMCC 5 laps in 53:53.9
46 Benjamin Edwards Team Cycle Recycle 5 laps in 55:44.8
47 Ali Chant Eryi Harriers 5 laps in 56:19.8
48 Bill Brady 5 laps in 57:33.6
49 Joe Howard Wakefield Tri 5 laps in 58:16.4
50 Drew Whitehead G M Rapid? 4 laps in 28:12.7
51 Graham Briggs Rapha Condor 3 laps in 21:25.8
52 James Leon 3 laps in 31:17.9
DNF Rob Jebb Wheelbase 8 laps in 53:38.6