Penultimate CX race
On Sunday, Macclesfield Wheelers hosted the 10th, and penultimate, round of this winter’s North West cyclo-cross series at the traditional Xmas period venue of South Park, Macclesfield. And, although the venue has been used many times before, the hosting club had prepared a new course, using areas within the park that were new to CX. The course set was surprisingly firm underneath, with a wet top grass surface that became increasingly greasy during the day and, together with several stiff climbs, made for a very demanding course, that drew much praise from all the riders.
It was Ramsbottom’s Lewis Craven riding for the Wheelbase Castelli team, who had the best local result of the day by taking the win in the V40 Open event. Rob Jebb of Hope Racing took an early lead but Craven passed him on the 2nd lap to win by a clear minute at the flag.
There was a record entry of 43 riders for the Ladies race, which was won by Esther Wong of the Shibden RT club. But there was plenty of local Rossendale interest with Helmshore’s Elsie Haygarth taking an excellent 13th place overall, and 3rd Junior Woman, closely followed by JMC rider Iona Simcock. Kate Taylor came home 20th and Iona’s mother Jacqui 30th and 1st WV55.
The V50 Open race remains the strongest field and Morgan Donelly of CXR Racing took the win, but the season long friendly rivalry between locals Phil Simcock and Dave Haygarth continues, and this time it was JMC’s Simcock taking the honours, coming home in 3rd overall with Haygarth chasing his tail in 4th.
The best presentation from Rossendale comes in the V60 Open category, but they were outpowered at Macclesfield, with the win taken by a very quick Robin Murray of Sett Valley Cycles. Derek Schofield came home best from the valley team, recovering from a poor start to 16th at the finish. Mick Taylor held off a fast approaching Adrian Watts in 20th, and Graham Wright 26th. Denis Thompson, riding for the West Pennine club, unfirtunately took a bad tumble on his second lap and had to retire.
The final round of the series takes place at Buile Hill Park, Salford, on Saturday 25th January, with still plenty of final league positions to be decided.
Photos:
Rossendale’s team on the front row of the grid for the V60 Open event – L to R: Derek Schofield, Adrian Watts, Mick Taylor, with Graham Wright in the background, right
Elsie Haygarth airborne in the Ladies race.
