And so sadly… the final round of this season’s Cyclo-cross racing and a fitting end to a great season for the Wessex League. The final fixture was held at a lovely new venue: YMCA’s Fairthorne Manor near Botley and run by Fareham Wheelers in their first cross event.
The course was large, mainly flat and anything but easy. Waterlogged, grassy parkland meadows led to muddy hillside wooded sections that gave racers the ‘run-or-ride’ conundrum all day.
In the Vets Sotonia was represented by John Phillips and Jez Hart in a field of 61. Jez finished 21st, John was 42nd.
The senior race had Dave Belcher, Darren Sell and Steve Kirk lining up in a field of 26. It was Steve’s turn to suffer the rear mech curse putting paid to his race, which was won by Matt Macdonald after he had to run half the final lap after the same fate. Darren finished in 17th, Dave was 19th.
The event itself was very well organised (the warm clubroom bar with views of the race did help) plus the local and vocal support for anything moving on two wheels was really appreciated – one of the things that makes cross such a great sport!
Special mention and Mr Clean Award today goes to Darren Sell who looked like he’d stepped out of a Persil ad and yes, the photo above is post-race! 😉
Full results here: http://www.wessexcx.co.uk/2014/report-round-13/
Graham Robins’ photos are here: http://www.grahamrobins.net/photos/Wessex%20League%20Rd13_13-14/