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Location: Westminster College, Oxford
Event: 30 October 2011
Report: Graham Robins –
Today’s races were held at the campus of Westminster College near to the centre of Oxford. The course was laid out over a couple of playing fields and a large wooded area which borders the college.
Michael Cotty takes victory in the fifth round of the Wessex League.
The morning started dry and windy, the grass was a little damp on top due to overnight rain, however the weather was to take a turn for the worse and rain came in for the combined Vet/Women/Junior race and this helped make to top surface very slippery in places. Although the rain had relented in time for the senior race there was still a damp feel to the air.
In the senior race, the first to show were Ben Sumner (Beeline Cycles) and Michael Cotty(Wheelbase/Cannondale) with James Cotty (Wheelbase/Cannondale) 32 seconds behind.
The leading group was completed by Peter Kench (Team GWR), Jamie Norfolk (Pedal On), Steve Knight Jewson/Thule and James Astbury (Hargroves Cycles).
After a couple of laps Michael and Ben had extended their lead to over one minute over Peter with James slipping back and Jamie, Steve and James going the other way.
By mid way the race lead was Michael Cotty from Ben by 8secs with Peter Kench followed by Steve Knight and Jamie Norfolk. Both James Cotty and James Astbury had slipped back.
With a couple of laps to go Michael put in a couple of quick ones to increase his lead over Ben to over one minute with Steve Knight now a further three minutes behind.
Steve Knight was a good one as he asked to be seeded at the back and had worked his way to the front in only a couple of laps.
Just as the combined Veterans/Junior/Women’s race began the rain started to fall, adding sheen to the grass which caught out several riders.
After the run out around the fields the first to show at the front was junior rider Matt Woods (Hargroves Cycles) and vet rider Will Girvan (NHRC).
The first woman was Claire Smith (Swindon RC) with Sarah Woods (Wight Mountain) up next followed by Claire Galloway (Zappi’s).
Over the next couple of laps Matt and Will stayed away working hard to extend their lead. The next riders up were David Phillips and Peter Hutchinson (Swindon RC) with next rider Robin Wilmott (GA Cycles) next.
As the two leaders came into the finishing area the chequered flag was waving, Matt was in front of Will and hence won the race however both riders had said they did not hear the bell and both looked quizzically at the finish line thinking they had a least a lap to go.
Just after the finish line the two riders spoke and said neither had heard the bell and were very surprised to see the flag. Will was magnanimous at the finish saying he was pleased to finish behind his younger counterpart and to collect full points for the veterans table.
The youth riders competed on a long course run the opposite way round to the younger riders.
After the first lap it was Jack Saunders (Swindon RC) who had pulled out a 25secs gap over Jack Phillips (Banjo Cycles). Next up was Tom Sewell a further 33secs down and then Edward Gronbech 22 secs behind them.
Jack Sewell continued to open up a large gap with Jack Phillips now drooping back. The minor places had not changed and the first girl was Bethany Taylor who had got passed Zoe Sheehan.
There was quite an interesting race within the race with four girls Bethany Taylor (BCDS), Megan Lewis (Palmer Park Velo), Bethany George and team mate Zoe Sheehan (Swindon RC) all quite close together.
At the bell Jack Saunders was all alone with Jack Phillips second. On the finish line Megan Lewis was just piped by Bethany Taylor with Bethany George also close by.
First to make a break in the Under-12/10 race was Bethany Lewis (PPV) who along with Harry Dridge (Southdown Velo) opened up a small lead. Close by was Erin Baker (Southdown Velo), also not too far behind was Ieuan Woods (Charlotteville CC).
On the second lap Bethany and Harry had pulled away and started working together, Ieuan had now passed Erin and Liam Sewell (Swindon RC) was the next rider up. Bethany made her attack on the last few corners pulling away from Harry who in turn was clear of Ieuan.
The next round of the Wessex League is at Thruxton Motor Racing circuit Hampshire on 20th November.
Results:
Seniors:
1 Michael Cotty (Wheelbase/Cannondale) 55:10
2 Ben Sumner (Beeline Cycles) @ 1:38
3 Steve Knight (Jewson/Thule) @ 3:22
4 Peter Kench (Team GWR) @ 3:38
5 Jamie Norfolk (Pedal On) @ 4:13
6 James Cotty (Wheelbase/Cannondale) @ 5:21
7 Nick Onslow (Pedal On) @ 5:22
8 James Astbury (Hargroves Cycles) @ 5:26
9 Richard Fairthorne (Kenilworth Wheelers) @ 6:51
10 Michael Warner (Wheelbase/Cannondale) @ 7:19
Veterans/Juniors/Women:
1 Matt Woods (Hargroves Cycles)
2 Will Girvan (North Hants RC)
3 David Phillips (Swindon RC)
4 Peter Hutchinson (Swindon RC)
5 Robin Wilmott (GA Cycles)
Women:
1 Claire Smith (Swindon RC)
2 Sarah Woods (Wight Mountain)
3 Karen Murphy (Wight Mountain)
4 Samantha Jones (Four4th.co.uk)
5 Sandie Steel
Youth:
1 Jack Saunders (Swindon RC)
2 Jack Phillips (Banjo Cycles)
3 Tom Sewell (Swindon RC)
4 Edward Gronbech (Oxford City RC)
5 Beth Taylor (BCDS)
Under-12s:
1 Bethany Lewis (Palmer Park Velo)
2 Harry Dridge (Southdown Velo)
3 Ieuan Woods (Charlotteville CC)
4 Erin Baker (Southdown Velo)
5 Liam Sewell (Swindon RC)
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.
