Central CX League - WGC, Sat 3rd January 2015

Thu 08 Jan 2015

Possibly the hardest day‘s CX’ing for the North Roaders since Chris Glithero CX raced in Wales over a coal mine slag heap.  Racing at Stanborough Lakes is always a tough proposition but it was made tougher for this event by wet and cold conditions that resulted in the course being as slick and  muddy as muddy can be.   Even the straights requiring careful attention to stay the right way up!


Steve James was off first in the Vets +50 race.  With his tenacious gripping Dugast tubs in the garage waiting to be glued to rims, he was rather unwisely riding intermediate tyres.   The result was as predictable as taking a slick equipped  F1 car rallying.    Steve, with minimal grip, Charlie Chaplin’ed his way round, through and over the course. He reported afterwards ‘that he has never destroyed as much of a CX course’  before wandering off home  after a bacon buttie and a warming mug of soup to get on with some much required tub glueing.


Just two North Road competitors in the Vets 40-49 race (John McDowall and Bryan Holland)  Bryan was a bit under the weather and had his start  baulked by a crash (the third in as many weeks) He battled back to John who had got away well early on but at a crucial moment tangled his mech in course tape losing valuable time. Feeling rough on an epically miserable day he battled round as best he could. John was going better after a PW (personnel worst) in the previous weeks race.  A ‘no mistake’ and ‘concentrate’ policy was in force after his error strewn efforts last week, that held apart from one late error, ensuring a more respectable result.


Matt Crees and Paul McGrath raced the hour long Seniors race.  Paul after an enforced lay-off over Christmas, and a strong looking grid of riders, was hopeful of a top ten finish at best. He got his usual average start but only lost a couple of places.   A long battle with a rider from the ELV went decisively Paul’s way when his rival snapped his derailleur.  A demanding race completed with non-existent braking from worn down disc pads had left Paul with no idea of his race position so he was pleasantly surprised to learn that he was in third place and on the podium.


Matt Crees, also not a 100%, found himself mid-bunch at the start after some encouraging results recently.  His start was awful as he disappearing backwards with a lack of confidence in the slippery conditions and the large bunch. He spent the first half of the lap making up places again as his confidence grew until he settled into a battle with two other riders, closing the gap through the faster technical sections,  and losing it all in the hilly running sections.  A long hard battle in the mud ensued as Matt held off being lapped by the winner until halfway through the last lap.   Another  promising ride from Matt  who has progressed from being at the back of the race up to racing in the main bunch.  


For the Seniors a confirmed third place for Paul McGrath  with Matt Crees coming home in a mighty fine 17th place.   In the Vets 40-49, John McDowall was 15th and Bryan Holland 24th.  In the Vets +50 Steve was 20th 


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