Annual Dinner and Prize Presentation 2015
[gdl_gallery title="annual-dinner-prize-presentation-2015-2" width="186" height="130" ]
Team Sky Doctor gives inside view to dinner guests
Sotonia Cycling Club held its Annual Dinner and Prize Presentation last weekend at Ampfield Golf Club near Romsey. Guest of honour and speaker for the evening Dr Steve Baynes, who is a sports medicine specialist and has been a team doctor with the Team Sky professional cycling team since 2012, as well as being the Southampton Football Club doctor. Dr Baynes, who currently lives in Lymington, went to Romsey School and Barton Peverill before studying medicine in Nottingham.
Before presenting the prizes to the club’s trophy winners, Dr Baynes gave a fascinating insight to life on the road with a top professional cycling squad, with an illustrated talk which the audience really appreciated.
Amongst the big prize winners of the evening were Stuart Martingale who was crowned club champion again despite being only able to ride for part of the 2014 following a bad fall in a training accident from which he is still recovering. Jon Dudley retained his season long point’s competition for men. Winchester based Gawain Young won the 10 and 25 mile championships, whilst Romsey’s Angela Burnikell took the lion’s share of the ladies trophies after an excellent season which saw her record a number of personal best rides. Another Romsey based rider Dan Edwards was the club’s top point’s scorer in the region’s time trial competition in his first full season against the watch.
Following a vote of members at the club’s annual general meeting the clubs veteran’s champion, 81 year old Norman Harvey, was also given the title ‘Club person of the year’ as he established a number of age related records.
The evening also saw a presentation to club founder member and current President Eva Drinkwater who was due to celebrate her 90th birthday the following day.
Wessex League Cyclocross Round 13 Crabwood, 28 December
[gdl_gallery title="wessex-league-crabwood-cx-28-12-14" width="186" height="130" ]
A cold but sunny winter's day for the Geoff Shergold Memorial Wessex Cyclocross races at Southampton Sports Centre saw four vets and two Sotonia seniors blast away the Christmas cobwebs.
The course, a variation on previous years with a long uphill grass straight on the edge of the park that rose steeply into a muddy wooded section full of tight turns. Fast downhills then forced the riders back up again in firm but often slippy conditions that meant few bike changes but riders certainly had to watch their footing.
In the Vets race, regulars Simon Guard, Phil Connell and John Phillips were joined by newcomer, Dudley Jaynes on his 29er. Simon and Phil were again locked in close battle in the early stages, but with the course hills suiting Simon better, he began to pull away from Phil after a couple of laps and finished first 40+ Sotonia rider a minute ahead of Phil in 24th and 27th places.
In the senior race Phil Wilks and Tom Budden resumed their rivalry and after a fast start, both were in the top 15 coming out of the woods with Tom around 10th. He wasn't done there though and proceeded to pull away from the large group that Phil was in, making up three more places as he slowly wound in the riders ahead and finishing in the highest position by any Sotonia cross rider in years with an amazing 7th place! Phil battled on, carrying a sore knee into the race and came in a worthy 19th out 37 riders.
A great result to finish the year for Sotonia. Just one race in the calender to go now, run by Army Cycling Union at Tidworth on February 1st 2015.
Video of the V/W/J race shot by Julian Gee: http://t.co/fRysYpH2vu
The Wessex league report can be found here
Graham Robins' pics are here
Wessex League Cyclocross Round 12 Fareham, 14 December
[gdl_gallery title="wessex-cx-fareham-14-december" width="186" height="180" ]
A brilliant turnout for Sotonia and a course which had everything. Twists, turns, ups, downs, sandpit, thick grass and mud in abundance. Riders having to stop to clear front and rear mechs during the race and the course was heavy so all knew they'd ridden a particularly tough cross race! Team of the day has to go to our seniors, brilliant performance and Niels in his pure white new jersey too, the vets churned the course up and we only had to ride for 45ish mins and they had to ride for an hour, so well done to the 'youngsters!' The 'oldies' were led by Phil Connell, consistent throughout the season. In the senior race, Tom Budden nailed his start and despite a jammed chain and two bike changes, he still managed 16th place to top the Sotonia finishers.
With two races to go, hopefully we can maintain a strong showing. Next race is Sunday December 28th - The Geoff Shergold Memorial at Southampton Sports Centre, so even if you don't fancy the ride your support will be appreciated by us all.
Vets (v40s)
Phil Connell 17th
Simon Guard 21st
Vets (v50s)
Jon Dudley 16th
John Phillips 17th
Seniors
Tom Budden 16th
Phil Wilks 17th
Niels Langhout 18th
Darren Sell 21st
Vetus Jakimavicius 23rd
Official Wessex CX report and full results here
Photo Gallery by Graham Robins here
Wessex League Cyclocross – Round 10 Sotonia, 16 November
A brilliant days' cross racing was had this sunday with our biggest turnout yet for our third year of running this great event as the early rain stopped for the sun to show its face for a bit.
The course was reversed in direction from last year but just as hilly. With uphill start, switchbacks and into the woods for some technical fun including banks and logs to bunny hop or leap over that had many taking a tumble. Then a long downhill and sandpit to complete the lap. Plenty of positive comments from the riders so chapeau to all the course builders!
Conditions were on the slippy side today with a course that cut up as the day went on. Sotonia vets were Phil Connell, Simon Guard, Jon Dudley, Martin Ward, Rob Tomlinson, Mike Mclachlan and cross convert, Ed Rowe in a field of 118 riders.
Simon Guard was first Sotonia vet for the second week running with a fine 21st place, Phil not far behind in 27th, Rob Tomlinson 60th, Jon Dudley 65th, Mike Mclachlan 85th, Martin Ward 100th and Ed Rowe 108th.
In the senior race we had Phil Wilks, Darren Sell, Niels Langhout, and Vytas Jakimavicius - another cross newcomer. Phil was clearly enjoying himself in the mud, coming a fine 17th. Neils in only his second race was 31st, Darren 40th and Vytas 41st out of 48 - well done all!
Big thank you to Darren and everyone who helped organise, design, mark out, put up the course and take it down again, bake the many cakes, make the tea, sign over 250 riders on, marshal, timekeep, commissaire and support today.
[gdl_gallery title="wessex-league-cyclocross-round-10-sotonia-16-nov-2014" width="186" height="120" ]
Official Wessex CX report and full results here
Photo Gallery by Graham Robins here
Videos
U12s and u16 race: http://t.co/WVjWRY55mO
Vets 40+ race start: http://youtu.be/UOoFm4oqCj0
Vets 50+ race start: http://youtu.be/ZOSYheS9wwE
Senior race start: http://youtu.be/Kmxp52kRwYc
Wessex League Cyclocross – Round 9 Oxford, 9 November
Oxford Brookes University was this week's venue for another fine day's racing in the autumn sunshine. Overnight rain had made little impact on the conditions for a course that like last year, relied heavily on laps of sportsfields for possibly the flatest parcours of the season. What it lacked in elevation however it made up for with a large tiger infested wooded section as riders fleeing it's muddy centre bore the cuts and bloodied arms that resembled such an attack - not to mention some blood curdling screams emanating from that dark place! And if the beast didn't get you, the super sticky mud and leaves combo that seems unique to this course would do. Many a rider came running out carrying a bike that was either too clogged for wheels to turn or had dropped a chain.
Lining up for Sotonia and ready to take on the beast in the woods were Phil Connell, Simon Guard, Jon Dudley, John Phillips and Tom Budden. The vets race saw Phil take up the charge but he was slowly reeled in by Simon who then surged ahead for the first time this season to take first Sotonia rider (42nd out of 121 riders). John and Jon also had their customary tussle before Jon D managed to make a gap on the flat sections with his TT skills. In the seniors, Tom rode well again to 29th place - especially so with a hangover to cure!
Many thanks to Jon Dudley's wife Ann and Simon for the truly delicious post race cakes and chocolate brownies.
Next sunday it's Sotonia's turn to host our race at Eastleigh - so hope to see many of you there... possibly not tigers though.
Jez Hart's race pics are here
Wessex League Cyclocross – Round 8 VC Venta, 2 November
A great turnout of 11 crossers for team Sotonia at Sparsholt on Sunday. In the big vets field of 116, we had Phil Connell, Simon Guard, Jon Dudley, John Phillips, Martin Ward, Mike McLachlan and Rob Tomlinson. In the seniors, Phil Wilks, Tom Budden and cross virgin, Neils Langhout. Not forgetting young George Connell in the U12's race.
Overnight rain meant the course at Sparsholt College was going to be a technical challenge. A big 1.4 mile lap resulted in just four laps for many. The course itself was similar to last year with a few more 'wiggly bits' to make it just a bit tougher. But most people seemed to have enjoyed their race even though the vast majority parted company with their bikes at least once or twice! The real killer feature for many was running through the gravel pit, closely followed by the uphill chicane just as you were accelerating down a hill after the finish line.
Phil Connell once again led the charge in the vets race, finishing 30th, Simon Guard, getting quicker each race in 33rd, Jon Dudley 70th, John Phillips 72nd, Mike McLachlan 88th and Martin Ward 98th.
In the seniors, Tom Budden was riding strongly in the top 20 before he snapped a brake cable and was unable to tie the flailing wire safely and forced to retire - better add electrical tape to the list of bizarre things to leave in the pits! Phil Wilks finished a fine 20th (his best Wessex League result to date). Neils also battled through his first race to 38th of 48 starters on the testing course - well done Neils!
Wessex race report and results: http://t.co/RqohazCmzX
Jez Hart's pics are here
Julian Gee's video of the vets race is here
Wessex League Cyclocross - Round 6, North Hants RC, 12 October
Round six and winter is coming. A definite chill in the air at Basingstoke and although the course wasn't muddy, it was wet underfoot and made for some tentative racing in the technical sections. This year it seems to be an unwritten rule that every promoter changes the course from the previous season and it was no different at the War Memorial Park. Although most of the tricky bits: the big bank, the tight off-camber turns and the wooded section complete with bmx track still featured, the direction was switched round and there was more flat circuits round the football pitches with a couple of dismounts for boards and a mini spiral (we do love a spiral). Racing for Sotonia Vets were Phil Connell, Simon Guard and John Phillips. In the Seniors we had Darren Sell.
Another hundred plus starters in the vets with split start for the v40s first and chaos thanks to some pretty strange commissairing that led to the race start before most riders were even ready and resulted in both Phil and Simon slipping back in the opening sprint. However they worked well together to reduce the deficit and were looking good after two laps. All three of our vets finished well with Phil 23rd, Simon 34th and John 21st in the v50 category. There was a pretty large field of over 50 for the seniors too with Darren finishing in 47th place.
Next week we're off to Reading - hope to see all you crossers there!
Full results are here
Jez Hart's pics of the action are here
Wessex League Cyclocross – Round 5 Fareham, 5 October
It was fine weather once again and not a hint of mud for round 5 of Wessex League Cyclocross season at Fairthorne Manor, organised by Fareham Wheelers for the second year (conditions will surely be more 'traditional' cross for the return visit Fairthorne in December!)
The action kicked off with the under 12s, with George Connell appearing in his first race for Sotonia and vowing to return... so long as the post race conker pickings are as bountiful next time!
Five Sotonia vets lined up in another huge field of 120 riders - Jon Dudley, Phil Connell, Martin Ward, Jon Phillips and a welcome return by Simon Guard after injury. The start was split by age group with the v40s starting first and Phil led the team, showing that his recent french cheese binge hadn't slowed him down too much. The course was similar to last year with large flat grass fields, technical wooded section, bankings and a small but hungry sand pit to trip up the unwary.
In the senior race was Tom Budden who was in good form, taking 25th place in a field of 52.
Jez Hart's pics of the action can be found here
Graham Robins' pics are here
Wessex League provisional results are here
Wessex League Cyclocross - Round 1 Newbury RC, 6 September
After nine months wait, the cross season started with a bang at Mary Hare School, Newbury. Early fixtures are often warm, dry affairs and this was no different. What was different, was the course - the builders pretty much reversed last years' route for a tough and technical challenge.
Starting things off with a long sprint accross the top of the playing fields, the riders took a fast left and started the rise that preceeded an up and down 6ft banking then on to an 11% climb to get the lactic pumping. The following bumpy descent was a prelude for a series of technical dead turns around the trees with a bit of off-camber thrown in, then three evil switchbacks again set on a wicked gradient. The 'recovery' was next as riders bounced their way down the edge of the large fields, then more twisty turny stuff around the trees, dismount for the barriers, a short sand section, yet more tight twisty tree turns, several on banking then into a spiral and finishing off on the start straight to the finish line. So, still the biggest circuit in the league at 1.4 miles and definitely tougher than last years version.
The vets race had a predicted huge and quality field of 118 (including a current cross world champion, Dave McMullen) and had a split start as a result. Over 50s, women and juniors were first, followed two minutes later by the 40-49s. Lining up for Sotonia was Jez Hart and three newcomers to cross - Rob Tomlinson, Mike McLachlan and our first female racer of recent times - Gemma Wilks - welcome and chapeau to all of you for taking the plunge!
After being gridded near the front, Jez soon paid for keeping pace with the top boys (the Hill of Pain didn't help) and the next two laps were regroup time as he recovered. Then just as he started to move back up through the field, his handlebars decided they would work their way loose leaving him with a choice - steer or brake - a bit of running/comedy bar juggling got him to the end in 24th place in the v40s.
Rob's race sounded like he had a blast - took a couple of tumbles but loved it, another cross convert, finishing 39th. Oh, and our world champion didn't have everything his way - tangling with a lapped back marker on the hill and both riders landing in a heap - only in cross!
In the senior race (51 starters), Sotonia had the other half of the Wilks family cycling dynasty - Phil, along with Darren Sell and Dan Sahota. The pace was ferocious and Phil was up to 18th after 2 laps. He went on to finish 31st with Darren in 47th, Dan having to pull out with a mechanical early on.
Full results can be found here
Winchester Crit, 17 August
The Winchester City Centre Crit races saw three Sotonia riders take the line in the 4th Cat race - Dan Edwards, Phil Wilks and Paul Ransom.
The game plan was to stay up the front at all costs, due to the technical nature of the course. A good start left Dan in third position and towards the end of the first lap he made his move gaining a reasonable lead on the two chasers and the group; unfortunately owing to a serious accident, the race was neutralised and then stopped on the second lap.
After the injured rider was treated, the race was then restarted with a shortened duration of 10mins plus two laps. Dan decided that he would just gun it from the start and try to stay away. He made his move just before the technical section and quickly made a gap, about halfway through, a rider from VC St Raphael began to bridge over but suffered a mechanical and had to drop out of the race, leaving Dan to continue alone.
It wasn't until the final lap that Phil managed to bridge up to the leader and they fought a neck and neck sprint up the high street with Dan just taking the win by a wheel and a Sotonia 1-2! Both Phil and Dan gained 3rd cat promotions too, which is brilliant!
