Eastern CX League, Davy Downs - Sun 19th Oct 2014

Davy Downs provided the circuit for the latest installment of the Eastern Cyclocross League.    An ever popular venue that hasn’t changed a winning formula of a layout in many years.  Some steps, a tricky wooden bridge and some slippy twisting-and-tuning cornering.  A good start was essential as after a short straight a sharp turn was followed by some narrow single track.

Steve James, had endearingly turned up at the venue the day before, having not checked the day of the race.  His defense of ‘well WHO hasn't turned up a day before an event?’ Was meet with bemused non-comprehension by the other North Roaders.   A solid race by Steve in the Vets plus 50 race, with some rapid lap times.  However,  one poor lap marred by three falls and a chain drop put paid to what could have been a really good result.  Steve finished in 20th place out of 57 riders rueing what could have been.

Bryan Holland and John McDowall again lined up in the Vets 40-49 race.  A poor start by John left him trailing but a big multi-lap effort bought him back towards  a  group containing Bryan. When his teammate was halted in his tracks by a crash,  John nipped by and built a lead, but was now paying for his earlier efforts and slowly started to lose some momentum.  The inevitable catch and pass occurred and Bryan steadily built his lead to finish strongly in what had been an exciting tussle between the two North Roaders.

Bryan came home in 16th (+3.28), with John in 17th (+3.43) out of 76 riders.

By the time of the last race of the day, the Seniors race, the course was well used and would provide an even stiffer test.   Three North Roaders raced - Paul McGrath, Adam Stone and Matt Crees

Paul got a great start off the line but perhaps went off too hard trying to stay with the leaders.  After some recovery he got into a rhythm and started steadily picking people off.   Adam Stone lost places at the start where he was crowded out into the  tricky first bend.   He made time up on the field especially on the soggy ground sections and the uphills although he felt he lost time on the technical sections.  Matt didn't get the best start but fought his way up into a better than usual position. Some hard efforts in the first 15 minutes had Matt distancing his usual competition and battling with some different riders. Unfortunately, the hard efforts took their toll with a poor containing a heavy crash on a corner.  Matt held on to keep the distance to his usual battling partners and knew his position was safe when the leader finished five seconds after Matt crossed the line for his last lap, resulting in a rather lonely final lap.

Paul again showed strongly in the results with 15th, Adam 29th and Matt 40th (+5.57, +1lap 2.27, and +1lap 7.01) out of 52 riders.