THE Iceni Velo took the major spoils at the Colchester Rovers cyclo-cross when Phil Buick beat the largest field of the day to take the veterans race and Tim Guy won the event for seniors. However, raiders from across the Waveney by no means had it all their own way.

THE Iceni Velo took the major spoils at the Colchester Rovers cyclo-cross when Phil Buick beat the largest field of the day to take the veterans race and Tim Guy won the event for seniors. However, raiders from across the Waveney by no means had it all their own way.

Buick spent anxious moments off the bike yanking a tubular tyre back into place after he rolled it in the woods and Guy only took the lead on the last lap after trailing Ingatestone roadman James Whatling (PCA Ciclos Uno).

As the invading hordes explored the wooded circuit at Furze Hill, Mistley they found the course was not to be conquered easily – many of the tracks were carpeted in acorns. “Like riding on marbles” said Buick of his practice laps. Luckily by the time the 200-odd competitors had got the measure of the course most of the nuts had been rolled aside by passing bikes. The 2011 version of the circuit put even more emphasis than usual on descents and climbs – lighter bikes definitely had the edge. It was dry underwheel and unseasonably warm.

On the first lap of the veterans’ race Bruce Robinson, the winner last week, crashed on one of those descents leaving Buick (Iceni) and Tim Butler (Ipswich BC) disputing the lead. Buick made a planned dismount on the steepest climb each lap while Butler rode the whole lap. But soon Buick – who recently retired from work – opened a gap on Butler, whose job commitments had ruled out all training during the previous week. Even after his rolled tub problem Buick had 1:04 in hand at the finish. Robinson was third while Mike Bowen (West Suffolk Wheelers) was fourth and first in the 40-49 age group.

With the separate women’s race starting just behind the men’s field, winner Nikki Juniper had a lot of overtaking to do, but still lapped second placed Joolz Halpin (Maldon & District) who was best veteran woman.

In the senior race the lead kept changing hands. First time round Diss CC’s Richard Dunnett led the pack. Next lap it was Hayden Wood, who however was soon eliminated as his gear mech tangled with his spokes. Guy hit the front, only to “lose his chain” as the bike bounced over tree-roots, letting Whatling into the lead. The 37 year-old Ciclos Uno man has a long history of riding road races and organising road teams, but only took to cyclo-cross about a year ago, attracted by the friendly atmosphere and the relatively modest training needed for the 40 minute or one-hour races. This suits his new situation as father of a young family. He looked to be on course for his first cyclo-cross win but Guy was feeling stronger as the race went on and had his orange-clad rival firmly in his sights. On one of the climbs Whatling was forced to dismount briefly – and Guy was away to take the win.

Richard Dunnett took third spot and James Jobber (Colchester Rovers) was fourth overall and fist Junior – though Patrick Cook (Ipswich BC) still leads the Junior league. Robert Hunt (API) was fifth. Then came Martin Carter who was first Elite Veteran and in seventh spot former BMX and MTB racer Ross Tricker (XRT/Elmy Cycles) who moves up to second in the senior league, one place ahead of Antony Birt (Ipswich BC).

There was a gripping battle in the Under 12s where William Raymond (Welwyn Wheelers) had a race-long duel with Pierce Bacon (Ipswich BC) during which both fell but were still never more than three seconds apart at the end of a lap.

Bacon put in a tremendous last lap dash but Raymond just held on to win, though Aaron Freeman (Chelmer CC) who took third place still leads the U12 league. Tom Stead (Nice Tri St Neots) was the clear winner of the Youth race, in which Chelmer CC ’s Mitch Powell was the first Under 14.

Racing in loose sand at Zonhoven in Belgium, Suffolk Junior Hugo Robinson was 24th in the Super Prestige series race. In the National Trophy races at Leicester Chelmer CC youth rider Sean Dunlea (PCA Ciclos Uno) took sixth place in a field of 43 riders, just 1:14 down on the winner.

Tomorrow the Maldon and District club are running “Cross at the Prom” an event aimed in particular at newcomers to cyclo-cross. For details see http://www.madcc.org.uk

RESULT - Eastern Cyclo-Cross League round 8, Davy Down, 30-Oct-2011

Seniors, Juniors, Elite Veterans

1 Tim Guy (Iceni Velo) 8 laps in 50:28; 2 James Whatling (PCA Ciclos Uno) +0:15; 3 Richard Dunnett (Diss & District CC) +1:04; 4 James Jobber 1st Jun (Colchester Rovers) +2:13; 5 Robert Hunt (API Metrow) +2:24; 6 Martin Carter 1st Elite Vet +2:27. Women

1 Nikki Juniper Woman (Ciclos Uno) 6 laps in 45:18; 2 Joolz Halpin 1st Woman/Vet (Maldon & District) +1 lap -1:47; 3 Sue McIntyre Woman/Vet (Walden Tri) +1 lap -0:15.

Veterans

1 Phil Buick Vet 50+ (Iceni Velo) 6 laps in 41:54; 2 Tim Butler Vet 50+ (Ipswich BC) +1:04; 3 Bruce Robinson Vet 50+ (Shaftesbury CC) +1:29; 4 Mike Bowen 1st Vet (West Suffolk Whls) +1:57; 5 Nicholas Webber Vet 50+ (Colchester Rovers) +2:09.

Youth

1 Tom Stead (Nice Tri St Neots) 4 laps in 27:34; 2 James Madgwick (Lee Valley Youth CC) +1:04; 3 Matthew Madgwick (Lee Valley Youth CC) +1:12; 4 Mitchell Powell 1st U14 (Chelmer CC) +1:13;

Under 12

1 William Raymond (Welwyn Whls CC) 6 laps in 12:50; 2 Pierce Bacon (Ipswich BC) +0:02; 3 Aaron Freeman 1st U10 (Chelmer CC) +0:33.