Crumpton edges Kay in National Trophy showdown

Brit rivals take it to the line in women’s race

The length of a wheel was all that separated domestic rivals Bethany Crumpton and Anna Kay as they continued their season-long battle in the fifth round of the National Trophy Series at Ipswich.

With one win each in the series the pair, who started the season as team-mates, were evenly matched again around the dry and fast Trinity Park course.

The two-way battle developed from the opening lap when they rode away from the rest of the field, and despite testing each other, the pair were only narrowly separated in a sprint finish, with Crumpton the victor.

“We have seen in the other rounds that it has been tactical racing and none of us have been out front so we are quite used to racing each other closely,” said overall series leader Crumpton.

“We know each other’s riding style, so it makes for fun racing which is entertaining as well. I know she [Kay] is a good sprinter and I was concerned she was going to get me on the line, but I made that lunge and just got it.”

Meanwhile, quickly improving junior rider Josie Nelson (Rst-cycle Division RT) was left chasing the leading duo for the entirety of the race and claimed third.

In the elite men’s race Belgian rider Braam Merlier once again took the UCI ranking points he desired by taking a solo victory.

The 25-year-old, currently 37th in the cyclo-cross world rankings, also picked up victory in the first round at Derby. At Trinity Park Merlier rode his rivals off his wheel before the midway point and looked in control.

“I took the front and then I got a little gap and thought I wouldn’t wait any more,” said Merlier following the victory. “I saw my gap was enough to hold to the finish. It’s good for me as last year I won in Bradford and took 40 UCI ranking points and that was good for me today.”

Multiple national champion Ian Field (Neon Velo Cycling Team) prevented a Belgian one-two as he took advantage of a mistake by Arne Vrachten to bridge up to the under-23 before passing him for second.

“I made that lunge and just got it”