Gold-medallist Lewis collects rainbow jersey
IT’S now the height of this winter’s cyclocross season with several major events taking place around the country, with some success from Rossendale based riders.
None more so than Lewis Craven, who gained a precious ‘rainbow jersey’ by taking the gold medal in the V40 category of World Masters at Trinity Park, Ipswich, the previous weekend.
It was Tony Fawcett who took the early lead with David Earth of Rose Racing in second and, after a tremendous battle over nearly an hour of racing, Craven came through to take the title by just 2 seconds from Earth, with Fawcett another 16 seconds back.
And in the latest National Trophy round in Kent, Dave Haygarth from Helmshore, riding for the Wheelbase Castelli team, took an excellent top 10 place with 9th overall in the V50 category.
On the domestic scene, it was the 6th round of the North West series on Sunday on the Broughton Hall estate near Skipton.
Although the day was
dry and sunny, the previous week’s heavy rain made the course hard work with plenty of running sections, even from the start line, and especially tricky on the many off-camber grassy banks.
This didn’t seem to trouble Ramsbottom’s
Phil Simcock of the JMC club though, who finished in a fine 4th place in the V40 event, won by fell running ace Rob Jebb. Phil’s wife Jacqui, also had an excellent race, in 12th overall and 2nd V50 in the Women’s event.
In the V60 event, Derek
Schofield opted to fully ride the initial sections and had his best start of the season, lying 3rd on the first lap over the finish line, but then struggled to keep control on the tricky bankings, eventually dropping to 7th by the finish.
Ex Rossendale Harrier
Phil Warner took the 1st V70 spot, although 2nd placed Graham Wright maintained his series lead in this age category.
The next round takes place on another new course this coming Sunday at Stoneyhurst College, Longridge.