Hannah Ormesher secures another podium at Welwyn Cyclo-Cross

Saturday the 5th October drew the usual North Road CX crew out to the local race at Stanborough, WGS with some welcome spectators/support givers in the form of David Vaughan, Eric Paillet and Chris Glithero. Unfortunately due to the phenomenally great demand this year, only a fraction of those who turned up made it to the start line. Dave K wasn't racing due to injury but John McDowall, Steve James and Simon Best unfortunately arrived to find a full vets field. The lads did however stick around and show their support for their team mates despite their disappointment at not being able to race. John Rumbold got a ride although not feeling his best but manfully took to the start line anyway. Joining him in the vets field was Lawrence Brenchley and Hannah Ormesher represented North in the women's race which started a minute after the vets race. The usual mob of blue was but a scattering!

The course was a tough'un, lots of sloggy hills, a tricky pair of hurdles which were after a sharp right hand corner and uphill (course planners are evil!!), a couple of short woodland sections, an interesting grassy bowl was put to good use this year with a sharp run up into it, fast swoopy turns within it, and a fast exit out. A sharp gravelly run up then followed, lined with stinging nettles and plenty of off-camber switchbacks were thrown in for good measure. 

I had a mediocre start off the first row of the grid as I struggled to get clipped in however by the first bend I was in good company and in third place. The first lap I kept touch with second and first place riders and felt good on the wheel of the second placed girl. During the second lap she established a 25 second gap and the spectating North crew helpfully were giving me time checks on my ‘target bunny’ throughout the race. 

Over the next few laps I clawed back five seconds but then went on to hold a steady gap I could not close. My main focus then was holding off the girls behind me and not conceding any places. The switchbacks on the course offered plenty of opportunity to gauge how things were playing out. 

The race seemed to go on forever and what I thought was my last lap turned out to be the penultimate so I had two laps of telling myself 'just once more up here, last time over the hurdles, you can stop in a minute' which was in practice no bad thing as these things help keep you focused short term which is what it's all about.

I gave everything on the last lap and crossed the line in 3rd place of 14 with 1 DNF, +1:48 down on the winner Jayne Williams of Ipswich Tri and an eventual 31 seconds off second place. I was very happy with my best placing in the Eastern League so far!