Fifteen-year-old Hugo Robinson beat all the seniors to win the Chelmsford cyclo-cross outright despite changing conditions that could easily have floored a less skilful rider.

Robinson chose file-treaded tyres for a race which started in a cloud of dust at Springfield Park – but when rain set in around half distance he was at an immediate disadvantage to those on meatier rubber.

However the XRT/Elmy Cycles rider, a master of bike-handling since his U12 days, did not put a wheel wrong. He opened a gap on champion Andrew Nichols (Cambridge University CC) on the last rise, led through the final corner and held on to the flag.

A strong northerly wind cut across the open grassland of Springfield Park, Chelmsford, and played a big part in the race – riders found shelter in groups and lone attacks were difficult to sustain.

A front group including Robinson, Nichols, Shaun Aldous (Extreme Sports Therapy), Kevin Knox and Andy Waterman (both Dulwich Paragon) and Matt Cook (WV Eemland) formed, split and re-formed as attacks alternated with periods of reluctance to lead the group into the wind.

A fall with ten minutes to go relegated Waterman to sixth and soon afterwards Robinson and Nichols achieved a gap. Aldous took third place while Knox was fourth and first elite veteran.

Alan Trolove of West Suffolk Wheelers led the thirty-strong Youth field from start to finish. Visitor Daniel Tullett initially held second place but George Wood (Maldon & District) gradually pulled back a 29 second deficit and finished runner-up by four seconds.

Geoff Bores (Ford CC) has been a regular competitor in the league for many years but rarely gets on the top step of the podium. This time he won the veterans’ event after a race-long tussle with Tim Butler (Ipswich BC).

Butler was quickest through the woods but back trouble clicked in and he had to give best to the Ford CC rider.

First woman was Sue Wood (Maldon & District CC) who took 10th overall among the 65 rider veterans and women’s field.

Georg Jenson (Lee Valley Youth) won a sprint finish from pacesetter Ben Tullett in the Under 12s race in which Pierce Bacon (Ipswich BC, 5th) was the best-placed Suffolk rider.

RESULT

Seniors, Juniors, Elite Veterans

1 Hugo Robinson Jun (XRT-Elmy Cycles) 9 laps in 57:03; 2 Andrew Nichols 1st Senior. (Cambridge Uni) +0:02; 3 Shaun Aldous (Extreme Sports Therapy) +0:17; 4 Kevin Knox 1st Elite Vet (Dulwich Paragon) +0:22; 5 Matthew Cook (WV Eemland) +0:32; 6 Andy Waterman (Dulwich Paragon) +1:07; 7 Josh Hannen Jun (Extreme Sports Therapy) +2:07; 8 Dan Young Jun (Glendene CC) +2:15; 9 Gavin Rumbles Elite Vet (CC Luton) +2:23; 10 Martin Carter Elite Vet +2:27

Women, Veterans

1 Geoff Bores Vet 50+ (Ford CC) 7 laps in 43:41; 2 Tim Butler Vet 50+ (Ipswich BC) +0:14; 3 Martin Graves Vet 50+ (Newmarket Cycling &Tri Club) +1:35; 4 Gary Wood 1st Vet (Maldon & District) +1:48; 5 Philip Cooper 1st Vet 60+ +2:00; 6 Kevin Bunton Vet +2:02; 10 Susan Wood 1st Woman (Maldon & District) +3:12;

Youth

1 Alan Trolove (West Suffolk Whls) 5 laps in 33:57; 2 George Wood (Maldon & District) +0:58; 3 Daniel Tult (PPV) +1:02; 4 Joseph Fry 1st U14 (Welwyn Wheelers) +2:08; 5 Archie Wishart U14 (Welwyn Whls CC) +2:39; 6 Alwyn Newstead (Ipswich BC) +3:1012 Lorna Robinson 1st U14 Girl (Ipswich BC) +7:32; 15 Francesca Morgans-Slader 1st Girl (Lee Valley Youth CC) +1 lap +0:28;

Under 12

1 Georg Jensen (Lee Valley Youth CC) 6 laps in 14:04; 2 Ben Tullett (PPV) +0:02; 3 Zak Coleman (Gt Yarmouth CC) +0:46; 7 Sophie Holmes (Diss & District CC) +2:23.