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