The National Cyclocross Championships (7-8/01/12) written up in the words of Tony Wilkins, our team member.
After the rain last week several of us feared
the Nationals at Chantry Park, Ipswich would be a muddy bike changing
competition. We were all pleasantly surprised at the firm conditions
during the pre-race recce on Friday afternoon. My race, for the
Over 50's, was the first event of the weekend on Saturday morning
although it was rather slippery under wheel on the corners on
the then virgin course. Based on points gained in events throughout
the season I was last to be called to the third row of the grid
and took the remaining space in the middle of the row (there were
another two or three rows behind me) so I was surrounded!. Fortunately
the start seemed to be without incident and I was about 23rd of
the 68 entrants when I passed the pits for the second time after
almost a lap. I battled with a few others for the next couple
of laps, including IBC's Tim Butler who eventually took a lay
down for a rest, and moved up to about 17th. Just one dismount
per lap, only a small section in the woods and nothing very skillful
about the mainly grassland circuit save for those slippery corners
and the going wasn't really heavy. There was a group of 6 - 8
guys just a few seconds behind me throughout the race and when
I blew a bit with two laps to go I lost a few places. The sound
of the bell always refuels my adrenalin though and I closed the
gap and won the sprint for 20th place which also secured the last
two ranking points available. My local Eastern League rivals finished
only a few seconds in front so I was closer to them than I've
been all season and I managed to achieve my target of a top 20
place (just!) and was also 6th in my 55 - 59 age group - both
improvements on my result from last year. And only one bike to
clean. The European Championships will be at Chantry Park on the
same course on Saturday November 3rd 2012 followed by National
Trophy Series events for all age groups the next day, I understand.
Now it's back to Eastern Cyclo-Cross League, the last counting
event at Mistley on Sunday 22nd Jan and then the final event at
Bury St Edmunds incorporating the Team Champs on Saturday 4th
Feb followed by the League Prize presentation. Then a few weeks
training before the Road Season starts!!
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Many eastern events have been photographed by Mark Cozens, who has been taking photo's of riders at many events. Visit his web site, click here, to view his images. |