After finishing second in the previous day's Wessex League event near Oxford, Lee Williams (Team Wiggle) went one better when he took victory in the opening round of the Welsh League, the Calf-Burner 'Cross, promoted by Cardiff Jif at Llantarnam High School near Cwmbran.
Based largely on school playing fields with run-ups and some greasy woodland single track, the race featured wet grass but a record number of riders were spared the heavy showers dotted around the country.
A trio of Andrew Baum (Cwmcarn Paragon), Lee Williams (Team Wiggle) and Daniel Lewis (RAF CC) had distanced themselves from the chasers by halfway with Baum leading the way.
Williams looked to be biding his time, and sure enough lap six saw him move into the lead with Lewis glued to Baum's rear wheel.
Team Wiggle's Lee WIlliams on his way to victory. Photo: Tim Bowers.
Williams consolidated his lead on the final laps to take a comfortable win, while Lewis moved into second ahead of Baum.
Fourth spot was a great placing for first junior William Worrall (Towy Riders), while Ross Porter (Cwmcarn Paragon) was best veteran and Hanneke van der Werf (Cardiff Ajax) fastest of the women.
Under-16 Girls winner Ffion James (Abergavenny Road Club). Photo: Tim Bowers.
Results:
Senior:
1 Lee Williams (Team Wiggle) 54:56
2 Daniel Lewis (RAF CC) @ 23sec
3 Andrew Baum (Cwmcarn Paragon) @ 38 sec
4 William Worrall (Towy Riders CC)
5 Joe Lally (CC Abergavenny)
6 George Rose (cyclecoachingwales.com)
7 Ryan Bevis (unattached)
8 Luke Cornish (Cwmcarn Paragon)
9 Mark Davies (Cardiff JIF)
10 Matthew Thompson (Cardiff JIF)
Juniors: William Worrall
Veterans: Ross Porter (Cwmcarn Paragon)
Women: Hanneke van der Werf (Cardiff Ajax)
Youth:
1 Alister Williams (Abergavenny RC)
2 Sam Beckingsale (Abergavenny RC)
3 Ben Dunster (Brecon Wheelers)
4 Joe Holt (Bynea CC)
5 Ffion James (Abergavenny RC)
U16 Girl: Ffion James
U14 Boy: Teifion Best (Abergavenny RC)
U14 Girl: Jessica Roberts (Towy Riders)
U12 Boy: Joe Beckingsale (Abergavenny RC)
U12 Girl: Megan James (Abergavenny RC)
U10 Boy: Rhys Thomas (Abergavenny RC)
U10 Girl: Emma Finucane (Towy Riders)
British Cycling would like to thank the organising team, officials and everyone else who helped promote this event. Our sport could not exist without the hundreds of people, many of them unpaid volunteers, who put in many hours of hard work running events, activities and clubs.
