Eastern CX League, Basildon - Sat 6th Sept 2014

Cyclocross shenanigans returned for 2014/15 with the usual season opener at Basildon for round one of the Eastern Cyclocross League.  A change in categories this season meant a splitting of the Vets race with the Vets 40-50 now racing separated form the women and Vets 50 plus.

A very good turn out of North Roaders across three categories of racing - Steve James (Vet 50 plus); John McDowall, Bryan Holland and Dave Kiely (Vets 40-50); cross newbie Paul McGrath, returning crosser Adam Stone and Matt Crees in the hour long Senior race.

Steve was first cab of the rank and was cheered on by the other North Roaders who noted that he was looking ‘collected‘  Steve started on the  fourth row and a tentative start meant he had at least 30 riders in front of him at the first corner.  However, the course suited him (no dismounting required) and he steadily picked his way through the field finishing a very commendable  15th out of 40, 5.48 mins behind the winner Richard Muchmore.  An encouraging start to the CX season that means Steve has set himself the target of a top ten finish.

In the Vets 40-50 race a very competitive looking group assembled with what used to be ‘elite vets’ now bumped into this category.  Clearly the racing was going to be very challenging.  Bryan was well gridded and rode a strong race with a slide out on a corner the only blot on his CX copy book.    A decent result for John also, starting from well back on the grid.  It was be fair to say Dave looked, in what Sean Kelly would call  ‘a little under cooked’ condition for his first race outing and will look towards later in the season for more technical courses for his chance to shine

The winner, Richard Lister did six laps in 38.11, with Bryan 11th at +3.48.  John was 23rd in +5.08 with Dave in 53rd at +1 lap and 3.23.  

Paul’s first CX race showed great promise, on John’s old bike re-worked with newish kit, he was very handily placed despite some pedal unclipping problems.   Adam was battling just behind Paul  for the first half of the race, before the gap opened between them as they battling for top dog NR honours.  Matt was also on the upwards improvement curve in his second year of cross, and seemed to be carrying more speed round the course.  

A very good 13th place for Paul, 21st for Adam and 33rd for Matt.  They where +7.03, + 1 lap 1-30 and +2 laps 0.50 respectively down on the winner, Stephen James, who completed 9 laps in 56.50