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SRAM Notts & Derby League Newsletter
October/November 2009 (League Website)
The 2009/2010 SRAM Notts & Derby Cyclo-cross League season has continued throughout October with a further 3 events, providing close and exciting racing over varied courses. Below is a round-up of the action.
3rd October 2009 - Holmebrook Valley Park, Chesterfield Bolsover & District Cycling Club Round 4 gave the League a new venue in the north of the region. Holmebrook Valley Park was used in the 1990's as the venue for the National Youth Championships and again provided a stern test of abilities with over 150 feet of climbing every lap. Extremely windy conditions on the day did little to blow away the riders' enthusiasm however! In the U10's race, Megan John Webster of Matlock CC took the honours from James Swadling of Nottingham Clarion, with Tim Elsmore of Matlock CC taking third. In the U12's race, William Gascoyne of Heanor Clarion came in first for the third straight race, with Elliott Dudley of Sherwood Pines and Josh Waters taking second and third.
Sam Lowe of the Raleigh Avanti Team made it two wins from two races, ahead of Jack Humphries of Red Rose Olympic and Kieron Tennyson of Heanor Clarion. James Shaw, also of Heanor Clarion was first U14, with Lucy Garner of Leicester Road Club coming home as first Girl. Another field of over 100 riders took to the start of the S/J/V/W race, with Tom Last (Sigma Sport) again getting off to a flying start. He was quickly joined by Dave Collins (Hope Factory Team), Nick Craig (Scott UK) and Ben Eedy (Team Empella CX.com). A number of bunches of riders formed and split as the climbing took its toll and it all came down to the last lap with Last, Collins and Craig all vying for the win. After an attack by Craig on the long descent, Collins was first to respond and took the win from Last, who regained contact on the long climb, 1 second in arrears. Newly crowned 3 Peaks winner Craig, took third, 5 seconds later.
17 October 2009 - Alfreton Leisure Centre, Alfreton - Belper BC Round 5 took place at the established and highly regarded Alfreton Leisure Centre venue. A new organiser and a change of HQ led to a significantly different course which encourage open racing throughout the day.
In the U10's race, John Webster of Matlock repeated his recent 1st place, leading home James Swadling of Notts Clarion and Tom Dussek of 4 Life Tri Club. Ellie Smith of Matlock CC was first Girl. In the Under 12's, Elliot Dudley of Sherwood Pines was able to overcome William Gascoyne of Heanor Clarion. Scott Hookway of Sherwood CC again took 3trd place. The Youth race saw Sam Lowe take the honours for his Raleigh Avanti Team, ahead Jacob James of Halesowen CC. Lucy Garner (LORC) as first Girl and James
Shaw of Heanor Clarion was first U14.
The S/J/V/W race saw the field top 100 for the fifth consecutive race, with 125 riders finishing the race. Tom Last (Sigma Sport) secured his final race win before traveling for a winter's racing in Australia, just ahead of defending League Champion Ben Eedy (Team Empella cyclocross. com) and Matt Barrett (Raleigh Avanti RT).
24th October 2009 - Bramcote Park, Nottingham - Beeston Road Club (Read our own report) - Bramcote Park was to host the first truly wet racing in this season's calendar. With rain throughout the morning, a number of the grassy corners would become slick and a real obstacle where they might otherwise have been straightforward. In the U10's race, John Webster of Matlock CC again led home, ahead of home James Swadling of Notts Clarion. Harry Morley of Matlock CC came 3rd. In the U12's race, William Gascoyne (Heanor Clarion) put in a storming performance, finishing over a minute and a half ahead of Scott Hookway and Elliot Dudley.
With the National Trophy Series continuing in Ipswich the next day, both the Youth and main races were stripped of some of the usual competition. Nevertheless, both races saw compelling tussles for superiority of the tough course on the infamous Bramcote hills course.
The Youth race saw another non-league winner as Jake Ledger of Norton Wheelers took the win, ahead of Kieron Tennyson and James Shaw of Heanor Clarion. James Shaw was the leading U14 rider. Rosie Blount of Derby Mercury was first Girl.
The S/J/V/W race had 109 finishers on a course which contained 3 major climbs and a downhill which would have graced a mountain bike race! This time around, Chris Metcalfe of Matlock CC put in an outstanding performance to finish over a minute ahead of Matt Barrett and Jamie Harris.
The SRAM Notts & Derby Cyclo-cross League continues on 7th November at Bingham Leisure Centre, Nottinghamshire.
