With the mud now dried on another epic club cyclocross event, there is further proof that cyclocross is the fastest growing discipline in cycling with another record turnout including 27 club riders among the 376 competitors who didn’t let a little mud stop them on Sunday.
Our course designers cooked up a course that was “proper cross” – challenging and technical with sticky mud after overnight rain definitely playing it’s part, shin-deep in a couple of places!
In the youth races, Sotonia fielded 11 riders with a tight battle between U12s George Connell and Louis Kirk for 10th and 11th. Marit Davidse (5th U8 girl), Tom Wilks (7th U8 boy), Ella Ridgement (5th U10 girl).
There was a superb 9th, 10th and 13th in the v40s for Jonathan Hall, Ben Darnton and Phil Connell. Followed by 12th in the Women’s senior race for Gemma Wilks. Simon Fitzjohn (36th v50 men).
The final senior race was going to be decided by a very busy pit crew jet washing bikes sometimes twice in a lap as riders tried to keep the mud at bay and saw current league leader Tom Budden take 6th place after being locked in battle with Joe Hickerton for much of the race. Chris Linney (23rd), Craig Hay (27th), Phil Wilks (28th), Phil Godfrey (31st) and Darren Sell (54th).
Big thanks to Jez Hart and Tom Budden for organising, to our riders, supporters, cake makers and most of all marshals and helpers, many of whom stayed long after sunset to take the course down and pack up after a very long day!
Wessex League report and full results here
