Strong finish for RRC at Buile Hill
IT was the final round of this winter’s North West cyclo-cross series on Saturday, and Salford Cycling Club had laid out a superb course at Buile Hill Park befitting the end of season event.
Following the dry January, the course lacked the usual deep mud sections expected in cyclo-cross but contained plenty of adverse cambers, strength sapping climbs, natural obstacles and hurdles to satisfy all but the hardest purists.
Being relatively local to Rossendale, a strong contingent of valley-based riders made the journey to Salford and came away with creditable results.
Helmshore’s Elsie Haygarth had another excellent ride in the girl’s U14 event, finishing 3rd, cementing her 3rd place overall in the series.
In the men’s V50 race, father Dave went one better in 2nd place, but couldn’t improve on his final league standing of 3rd. Tony Bowler just missed out on a top 10 finish in 12th, Mick Taylor 29th, Carl Nelson 35th and Paul Warrener, probably making the wrong choice of bike with his MTB, in 50th.
In the V60s, Derek Schofield showed some late season form by taking the 1st league member place, beaten overall only by Jan Cardasz of Fibrax Wrexham, with Adrian Watts in 8th and Graham Wright securing his V70 series win, despite a late race puncture.
Phil Simcock, riding for Ramsbottom’s JMC finished 8th in the V40 class, with 4th overall on the series and wife Jacqui was 16th overall and 1st woman V50 in her event, with Kate Taylor leading her in 7th overall and 2nd U23.
And the North West had further cause to celebrate on Sunday, when one of the junior members, Nathan Smith, took bronze medal in the World Championships in Arkansas, USA. And, coupled with the gold medals won by GB’s Zoe Backstedt and Tom Pickford, this really shows that cyclo-cross in the UK has a bright future.
More good news for cyclists in Rossendale is that Polocini, well known for it’s bike tours, is now setting up a base in Waterfoot, soon to be open for coffee and cakes and all things cycling!