Stephen James, already regional champion, moved a step closer to winning the Eastern Cyclo-Cross League when he rode away from the Senior Men’s field at Trinity Park to win the final race at the Ipswich Bicycle Club’s “Trinity Cross” by 33 seconds, writes Fergus Muir.
The event served as a preview of some of the features of the course that will be used this coming Sunday for the final round of the National Series.
Most spectacular was a scaffolding bridge that enabled one part of the course to cross over another part. Less dramatic, but a considerable challenge to competitors, was a table of sand, raised about half a metre above the ground, with precipitous entry and exit sides.
James’s closest challengers were the regular ones – James Madgwick (eventually second), Seb Herrod (third) and Kieran Jarvis (fifth). Getting among these were Paddy Atkinson, back in Ipswich for the university vacation, who was fourth and Lloyd Chapman (sixth).
MTB international Sophie Wright chose to race against the Senior Men where she took tenth place out of 60, covering each lap about one minute faster than the winner of the earlier women’s race.
Local Juniors Cam Hurst (XRT/Elmy) and Freddie Grover (Fast Test) were neck-and neck until Grover’s chain came off exiting the sand table and took agonisingly long to replace.
Hurst went on to make sure of the League Junior title while Grover joined battle with, and finally outsprinted, Connor Rumbles (East Coast Riders).
The Women’s race was a close duel between regular winner Lauren Higham and Cecilia Hime who more often competes in Central League races. At around half-distance Higham opened a gap and completed a perfect 1000 point set of League results.
Both Vets races were won by visitors no doubt checking out the National Trophy course – supervet Philip Roach winning from Richard Muchmore in the 50-plus while Neil Ellison of West Drayton MTB Club beat Forest Sider Matt Webber by 40 seconds. Webber nevertheless wrapped up the Eastern League.
Ipswich BC’s Dave Copland slipped away from master-minding the computer results service that is a star feature of the Eastern League to take fifth spot in the 50-plus Vets. That was out of 78 starters – and only after a race-long contest with visitor Andrew Roberts.
Youth winner Oliver Stockwell (Welwyn Wheelers) was the first to race over the Renvale Bridge, the Youth race being the first race of the day to use the full course.
- In the CC Breckland New Year’s Day 10 at Morley Cindy Berry scored her first win riding for Pedal Power Ipswich, finishing in 23:27, well clear of second–placed Stephanie Hoyle, (Diss & District) 26:31.
Ben Beynon of Team Pedal Revolution was fastest man, finishing in the unseasonably fast time of 20:12. Conditions on the Morley–Browick and back course were certainly mild for the time of year with welcome sunshine and a moderate tailwind out to the turn, but nevertheless this is a remarkable time for January.
Second fastest time overall came from visitor Luke Dankert (Beds Roads CC) who finished in 20:27 with Morris Bacon (DAP CC) next, 22 seconds slower.
Velo Schils rider Colin Lewin was best veteran (that’s rider aged over 40) on age standard. His 22:13 beating his standard for age 50 by four minutes and 32 seconds.
- The National Trophy races this Sunday will add an indoor section to the features premiered at the IBC races – it will be possible to eat while you watch. Probably the greatest interest will centre on the Women’s race where Series contenders Bethany Crumpton and Ffion James meet in what British Cycling anticipate as “A sensational showdown”. Norfolk rider Sophie Wright is also entered in this race which starts at 1.30pm.
There are other races - all on the same course at the Suffolk Showground, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich IP3 8UH, starting from 10.15 until the last race, for senior men, at 2.45pm.
RESULTS:
Trinity Cross Ipswich – leading and local finishers: Senior & Junior Men: 1 Stephen James (Renvale RT) 8 laps in 55:36, 2 James Madgwick (Bloodwise/QSW) +0:33, 3 Seb Herrod (Strada Sport) +1:25, 4 P Atkinson (Renvale RT) + 1:38, 5 K Jarvis (OnForm) +2:24, 6 L Chapman (XRT/Elmy Cycles) +2:56. WOMEN: 1 Lauren Higham (LIV AWOL) 6 in 50:11, 2 Cecilia Hime (St Ives CC), 3 Jo Newstead (XRT/Elmy). VETS 40-49: 1 Neil Ellison (West Drayton MBC) 6 in 42:03, 2 Matt Webber (Forest Side Riders) +0:40, 3 Roger Maidment (FSR) +2:04, 4 G Davey (Stowmarket & Dist) +2:14, 5 A Birt (Ipswich BC) +2:30, 6 N Cook (IBC) +2:46. VETS 50+: 1 Philip Roach (Jewson/MI) 6 in 44:14, 2 Richard Muchmore (Renvale RT) +0:33, 3 Simon Hime (Finchley RT) +1:53, 4 C Harrison (Ford CC) +1:56, 5 D Copland (IBC) +2:18.
CC BRECKLAND NEW YEAR’S DAY 10, Morley: Women: 1 Cindy Berry (Pedal Power Ipswich) 23:27, 2 Stephanie Hoyle (Diss & Dist) 26:31, 3 Emma Taylor (Stowmarket & Dist) 27:38. Men: 1 Ben Beynon (Pedal Revolution) 20:12, 2 Luke Dankert (Beds Roads) 20:27, 3 Morris Bacon (DAP CC) 20:49, 4 O Cozens (Norwich ABC) 21:57, 5 C Lewin (Essex Roads) 22:13, 6 J Potter (Manningtree Whs) 22:18, 7 T Carroll (CC Breckland) 22:27, 8 P Sexton (CC Breckland) 22:44, 9 T Burgess (Velo Schils) 23:24, 10 Cindy Berry (Pedal Power Ipswich) 23:27. Vets on Age Std: 1 Colin Lewin +4:32, 2 Chris Womack (VC Baracchi) +4:27, 3 John Swanbury (VCB) +4:16.
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