Dry conditions at a bone hard and dusty Southampton Sports Centre, witness to so many total mud baths over the years. Not this time for round 5 hosted by Sotonia, who laid on a ripping fast, flowing course full of banks and off-cambers that was high on adrenaline, low on trips to the pits.
Over 450 happy cross racers and a youth field of almost a 100 entries – possibly the largest in the country and so many glowing comments about the event!
It was great to see the course so full with happy kids in the autumn sunshine with bags of determination – Tilly and Eva ripping it up with a thrilling 1-2 in the U10 girls, Billy 3rd in the boys. Freddie and Luke both on the U8 boys podium. Niclas 7th U14 boys and Iz defending her series lead with a second place in the U14 girls. Emma and Miles our best u16s.
In the adult races, top finishers were Jon Hall 4th in the v50 men, Gemma Wilks 4th senior women. Cross newbie Ian Crocker racked up an impressive 7th in the V40 men, and James Peckham climbed to 8th in the senior men – both having started near the back of the grid.
Once again, big thanks to Jez and Tom for putting the event together, the Sotonia CX riders (all 61 of you), the helpers, marshals and supporters – you’re all legends and we couldn’t have done it without you.
