Autumn Roundup
After 3 weeks of racing in the wet, it was a relief for all attending the 4th round of the North West cyclo-series on Sunday at Beacon Park, Upholland, when the event took place in dry, but cool, conditions. And the course held up as well, only getting a little slippery for the later races on the day, with everyone enjoying the dry technical sections through the woods.
The Men’s V50 race is now becoming the largest, and most competitive, group in the series and Sunday’s race was no exception. A tremendous battle ensued between the leading 5 riders for the podium, the eventual winner being top fell runner Morgan Donnelly. And it was Helmshore’s Dave Haygarth, riding for Wheelbase Castelli, who was pushing him hard and came through to a 2nd place finish, confirming his current top form. Third was another local fell runner, Rob Hope. Ramsbottom’s JMC team were also well represented with Phil Simcock 5th and Carl Nelson 44th.
Starting 2 minutes after the V50 category, the Men’s V60 group was won by Element Racing’s Mick Style, maintaining his lead in the series. Rossendale were well represented with Mick Taylor 11th after a very fast start, Derek Schofield 13th, Adrian Watts 16th and Graham Wright one lap down in 21st.
After a relatively slow start, Rob Jebb worked his way through the field to take the win by a clear 3 minutes in the Men’s V40 event. Rossendale’s Iain Hazell made a welcome return to racing in 16th.
The Ladies event is showing a steady increase in numbers, and also competition, with JMC’s Iona Simcock pushing through to 14th, Jacqui Simcock 25th and Elsie Haygarth having to pull out through illness after 3 laps.
The series continues at Burnley’s Towneley Park this coming Sunday.
Autumn sees the end of the road cycling season and Ramsbottom’s Rake was the venue for the North’s top hill climbers on Sunday. Following his win at Rossendale Road Club’s Crowne Point event, Kieran Wynne-Cattanach of the Team Lifting Gear team returned to the region to take the win in 2:18 min, just 4.6 seconds in front of his club colleague Andy Nicholls. Loveclough youth rider Max Hereward took a fine 10th place in 2:37:5. Best Rossendale club rider was Daniel Herterick in 20th with 3:01 with Luke Dabbs 25th, 3:09.
Photos:
Rossendale members lining up for the V60 event
Iain Hazell in the men’s V40 race
