NECCL

The week leading into Round 4 at Killingworth Lake was an organisers nightmare with strong winds, heavy rain, dark skies and a forecast scary as Halloween! Thankfully it was warm and dry on the day but it  was showing some signs of the effects of the weather, with a few soggy spots scattered across the length of the course sure to make the legs ache.  The course itself was yet another variation to test every rider including an altered direction and some testing off camber turns and short climbs.

In the Under 12s Matthew Worton made the very best of the shortened senior course making a break off the front and pulling out a gap to second place Angus Brown. Matthew held onto his first place to take the win with Angus claiming second and Nick McWhirter coming in a very respectable 3rd.

Activ Cycles’ Adam Martin dominated the U16/u14/Novice Lady pulling out all the stops and taking a well deserved top spot with Alex Hopper pushing hard coming in a fine second with Joe Brown chasing hard for second but ultimately settling for 3rd.

The Senior race had a 63 strong field and a great team presence, it was a real spectacle. When the whistle blew, to coin a phrase it really was a “cavalry charge” with everyone exploding off the start line and belting down the long straight fighting for the first bend.

Once the pace “settled” if you could call it that, Tony Fawcett stamped his authority on the race and began pulling away from a chasing pack that contained James Anderson (Picarsso Pulman), Tony Glover(Derwentside CC) and the two Hambleton RC boys Darren Binks and Steve Middleton.

Tony Fawcett however continued to stretch out his lead until the final two laps when James Anderson began to slowly pull the leader back but time was against him and Tony took the win.  Tony Glover came across the line in 3^rd followed by a great battle between Darren Binks and Steve Middleton seeing Darren taking the honours and coming in 4^th.

What a great day – big thanks to everyone that came, racers, spectators and organisers including Geoff Turner, Jason McCourt, Brian Bayne, Dave McLean and the boys from the Sage Cycle Club: Andy Palmer, Colin Edgar and Phil Healey who we expect to see racing shortly (no pressure!)

Perfect conditions and the popularity of the now well established Branksome School venue in Darlington, resulted in another record entry for the Ferryhill Wheelers promoted Cyclo Cross.

100 riders signed on over the 3 races, in bright, dry conditions, with the course conditions the firmest and fastest the venue has known in its 7 year history. 78 riders competed in the main race for the seniors, the biggest field the north east has seen in many years and highlights the growing popularity of the sport. With a relatively short lap, fast conditions and big field, it made for an exciting race.

Steven Ward of MTS Cyclesport led from the start and never gave up his lead, quickly pulling out a 10 second gap over nearest challenger, Tony Fawcett (NFM RT) who won the preceding round at Hetton Lyons, but barring crashes or mechanicals Ward never looked like giving up his lead. The main scrap was for the 3rd spot, between Keith Murray (Hope Factory Racing) and Alan Nixon (Adept Precision RT), with Nixon eventually taking the place by pulling out a few second advantage on the final lap. Malcolm Lewis (MTS) came in 5th 10 seconds later. 5 Juniors competed in the main race, all finishing in the top half of the placings, with Joe Home (K Home International) the highest placed in an excellent 7th overall. Barry Kipling, also of MTS, was first Vet home in 9th, with Karen Howard the first Lady finisher.

Riding the same course as the seniors, 7 riders took part in the youth race, with Alex Hopper (Cleveland Wheelers) the clear winner in the Under 16’s event, with Joe Brown (Hetton Hawks) second. James Edmond of the promoting club, Ferryhill Wheelers, took the Under 14’s event in his first race in the category, with Elliot Davidson (Hetton Hawks) second.

A healthy field of 15 riders in the under 12’s race saw some spirited riding from children as young as 6. Eleven year old Matthew Worton (Stockton Wheelers) came home first after 7 laps of a shortened but still tough course, with Thomas Mein and Emma Brady (both of Hetton Hawks) in second and third.

The event was again supported by Darlington Borough Council, ensuring all entrants in the youth races went home with spot prizes for their efforts
Round 3 of the North east Cyclo Cross League takes place at the NHS Trust Centre (former Flatts Lane College), Eston Hills on Sunday 11th October, promoted by Cleveland Wheelers. Further information on the league can be found at its website www.neccl.co.uk

OK, I got this wrong the first time this is for Round 5.

If dry the this one.!