First class field for Supacross
TWO hundred and fifty riders (accompanied by family and friends) from all over the country were in town on Saturday for the annual Supacross at South Park, promoted by Ruth Gamwell on behalf of Macclesfield Wheelers.
This event always attracts a first class field and, helped by generous sponsorship from local businesses, including this year’s major sponsors cyclestore.co.uk, Don Massey Jewellers, Ride and Repair and Process Components, there were over £2000 worth of prizes on offer, with equal prize money for men and women.
One of the great things about cyclo cross is that it provides the opportunity for youngsters of both sexes to get involved in cycling in a safe environment.
Over half the riders on Saturday were under 16 years old, with a third of those being girls. Some of the fiercest racing was amongst the under 8s who turned up on a variety of bikes and clearly relished the chance to get muddy.
The weather was much milder than of late, which meant that the course quickly turned muddy, and the many spectators were rewarded with some first class racing and displays of bike handling skills.
The Senior race was particularly exciting with Jeremy Durrin just edging a tyre width’s clear of local rider Nick Craig - who closed a 20 second gap on the last lap - to take the win.
There were 14 Wheelers spread amongst the various races.
Matt Lawton finished 6th in the Senior Race, Louis Thomas-Messenger was 4th in the U23 race, Monica Eden 5th in the Women’s race and cyclo cross stalwart and legend, Greg Rowson, was fastest Veteran over 70.
James Harkness, Mark Messenger, Brian Renshaw, Mark Rowson and Dave Thorp all rode well with the last two finishing in the top 20 in their races.
Amongst the younger Wheelers, Joe Thorp just got the better of Robert Rowson in the U16 race, as they finished sixth and seventh respectively, with Olly Smyth a little further back.
Kate Gamwell was ninth in the U12s and Thomas Holden rode his very first race of any sort in the U8s.
Each year we use the event to raise money for a local charity.
This year we raised nearly £500 for Ride for Charlie which supports up and coming off road cyclists to achieve their ambitions.
As always we are grateful for the support from Macclesfield Council and the Friends of South Park, and to Macclesfield Tennis Club for the use of their facilities.