Eastern Cyclocross League 4 - WGC Sat 5th Oct 2013
Sun 06 Oct 2013
This week saw the Eastern League come closest to Hertford with Welwyn Wheelers hosting Round five at Stanborough Lakes. A big turnout was therefore expected from the North Road Cyclo-Cross contingent.
Joe Kiely racing in the colours of Welwyn Wheelers came a creditable fourth in a tight race with just 11 seconds separating the top four at the line.
Hannah Ormesher lined up at the front of the grid for the 14 strong Women’s race. With a fast first lap Hannah found herself holding on to the second place cyclist and having made a break from the rider in fourth. Through the second lap she lost a little time on second but continued to consolidate third position on the course and was quickly reeling in the veteran men who start a minute in front of the women. Meanwhile in the Veterans race only John Rumbold and Lawrence Brenchley had made the start line. Unfortunately, an administrative error, which another reporter might refer to as of the “school boy” variety saw John McDowall, Steve James and Simon Best late at sign on (not ‘late’ as per a dictionary definition - John) and the race already full. Such is the popularity of the Eastern League so far this season. Dave Kiely was also present but not racing suffering with a cold but duly supporting Joe and the team from the course side.
John Rumbold feeling far from his best, made a good start pushing through the pack from near the back of the grid, with Lawrence starting right at the back going for what seemed, all be it from a distance, a cadence about twice those he was passing. John made steady progress on lap one but by late in the second lap he realised the tank was empty after recent illness and pulled up in the pits. Lawrence therefore became the sole male NRCC representative in the race. Hannah however was storming along matching the second rider for pace now as the laps progressed and by lap three was battling with Lawrence for the honour of first North Roader on the course. The two spurred each other on over the next couple of laps with each seen ahead and behind on different parts of the course. With her first podium finish in the Eastern League (to match her first last week in the Central) within striking distance Hannah made a final push on the last lap secured third place women rider as well as distancing Lawrence who was battling for places in his own race and perhaps paying a little for holding on to Hannah for so long. Lawrence finished 53rd of the 67 Veterans and gained his best points tally for the league so far.
Matt Crees and Bryan Holland were next up in the Senior and Elite Vets categories respectively. Bryan had the luxury of place on the grid but with a full field of 81 riders this was back on the 5th or 6th row which seemed way back from the start line. Matt fought it out for a good place amongst the milling mass behind the grid. The race commenced at the usual fury and sharp elbows and maneuvering for non-existent spaces continued for the first few corners until a steady line formed through the wooded single track. With Bryan back to an hour (after the novelty of forty minutes in the Central League (something he could get used to very easily)) he was trying to conserve some energy while hanging on to the usual competitors in his section of the race, this proved far too difficult and he reverted to getting around as quickly as he could manage on the day. Matt found himself in a battle throughout the race, with a fellow senior rider who was lapping around his time but each quicker on differing sections of the lap, so constantly challenging each other. Matt came out on top of his own “race within a race” and finished in 71st. Bryan was battling in the last lap and trying to catch the rider ahead but in the end dragged another along to one of the two hills where he duly stormed passed with an excellent move. No problem, thought Bryan as he could push on the approaching “running” climb, only to then see the rider take the climb without dismount (he’d not seen anyone do that in his race previously). With too much to do in what remained of the lap he came in 53rd place.
Some pictures from the event can be found in the North Road Gallery here.
A final note of thanks to the contingent of club members who came out to shout encouragement, which was well received by the riders and contributed an extra bit of atmosphere at what is our “home” event.
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