James Madgwick (Bloodwise/QSW) won the Velo Club Revolution senior cyclo-cross at Colchester after seizing his chance when his junior challenger Oliver Stockwell (Welwyn Wheelers) momentarily pulled his foot out of his pedal on the last lap, writes Fergus Muir.

East Anglian Daily Times: Lauren Higham from Stevenage, women�'s winner at Colchester. Picture: FERGUS MUIRLauren Higham from Stevenage, women�'s winner at Colchester. Picture: FERGUS MUIR (Image: Archant)

In contrast to the mud at Basildon last week, the course at Hillyfields was fast, dry and dusty with a headwind on some grass sectors that might otherwise have provided brief respite on an otherwise demanding course.

Cam Hurst (XRT/Elmy) who leads open training sessions at Hillyfields, ploughed a lone furrow to take third place.

Lauren Higham (LIV AWOL) had 40 seconds in hand over Gemma Melton (Pedal Power Ipswich) in the women’s race. Alison Hogg (Push Sport) was third and top Norfolk rider, overhauling Harley Pell (LIV AWOL) before half-distance.

Jo Newstead (XRT/Elmy Cycles was to 40-plus finisher with V50 winner Sarah Thomas (Colchester Rovers) just one place behind.

Long distance mountain bike specialist Mark Wellsted set the Veterans 50-plus race on fire with an attack from the start which saw him lead for nearly half the race, despite his MTB being at a distinct disadvantage on the long headwind sectors unusual in cyclo-cross.

However he was overhauled by eventual winner Jimmy Piper who eased off the front of this the biggest fiend of the day, leaving his rivals powerless to do anything about it. Piper’s Renvale RT teammate Richard Muchmore was second with Wellsted third.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Vets 50+ start at Colchester. Far left: Dave Copland. Far right: Paul Watkins (West Suffolk Whs). Winner Jimmy Piper (centre) on grey bike. Picture: FERGUS MUIRThe Vets 50+ start at Colchester. Far left: Dave Copland. Far right: Paul Watkins (West Suffolk Whs). Winner Jimmy Piper (centre) on grey bike. Picture: FERGUS MUIR (Image: Archant)

It was Piper’s third win in a row, but he does not –yet—lead the 50+ League. That honour rests with Dave Copland (Ipswich BC), fourth at Hillyfields, who combines being the League results computer guru with consistent high positions.

Wellsted, who lives next to the Hillyfield course, raced a second time in the Senior race as he is in training for the World Endurance MTB Organisation 24 hour race near Fort William in two weeks time.

In the Vets 40-49 Renvale’s Shaun Aldous managed to get among the previously dominant Forest Side Riders team (that’s Epping Forest). Matt Webber still won from Ben Lewis but Aldous, a former League Champion now returning to form, was just 13 seconds down on the winner. Interesting times may lie ahead. Paul Groombridge (Push Sport) who was fifth is also a man to be watched.

Saffron Walden rider Alex Dale won youth race from a field of 56, ahead of Daniel Hall (Colchester Rovers).

Martha Lebentz carried her Hadleigh CC colours to the girl’s win with Florence Barnet (King’s Lynn CC) top U14.

After the first four League rounds the Barnett sisters head both Youth Girls categories – Bethany being top Under 16 and Florence heading the U14 table.

East Anglian Daily Times: Women's Vet 50 + winner Sarah Thomas (Colchester Rovers). Picture: FERGUS MUIRWomen's Vet 50 + winner Sarah Thomas (Colchester Rovers). Picture: FERGUS MUIR (Image: Archant)

Oskar Everett (Stowmarket & District) already heading the 38 rider Under 12s League, took his first race win of the season, four seconds up on Oliver Beale (Lee Valley) with Ben Howlett (Ipswich Velo) third.

The first OnForm Open Road Race gave students on Writtle College’s Cycling Performance course experience in both organising and racing.

Appropriately winner Clay Davies (Verulam/Really Moving) won a bouquet made by Writtle’s Floristry Department (plus cash).

Clay was a deserving winner, having been in a breakaway group since the very early stages of the 54 mile race on the Roxwell circuit near Chelmsford.

He had had up to six riders with him in the break which was very nearly caught in mid-race but found second wind.

Approaching the flag Lewis Pendle (VC Norwich) led out, but Clay, Michael Krukov (HKL) and Ian Franklin (PCH) overhauled him and Clay took the win from Krukov, followed by Franklin and Pendle with OnForm’s top finisher Oliver Smee just holding the bunch off to take fourth.

East Anglian Daily Times: Early leader in the Vets 50+ and 24 hour aspirant at Colchester - Mark Wellsted. Picture: FERGUS MUIREarly leader in the Vets 50+ and 24 hour aspirant at Colchester - Mark Wellsted. Picture: FERGUS MUIR (Image: Archant)

CC Sudbury’s Izzie Johnson (26:40) was fastest Junior in the King’s Lynn CC 10 at Tottenhill where Matt Senter (20:03) and Kay Burgess (24:33) – now teammates in VeloVelocity - were the overall winners with the Bury team’s David Procter (21:36) fastest Veteran.

RESULTS – VC Revolution Cyclo-Cross, Colchester:

Women: 1 Lauren Higham (LIV AWOL) 5 laps in 42:54, 2 Gemma Melton (Pedal Power Ipswich) +0:40, 3 Alison Hogg (Push Sport) +1:40, 4 Harley Pell (LIV AWOL) +1:56, 5 Becky Ridge (TPH Racing) +3:36, 6 Laura Brown (West Suffolk Whs) +3:55, 7 Jo Newstead (XRT–Elmy), 8 Sarah Thomas (Colchester Rovers), 9 Ellie-Mae Pledger (Lee Valley Youth), 10 Laura Mansel-Thomas (Colchester Rovers).

Senior/Junior: 1 James Madgwick (Bloodwise QSW) 8 laps in 57:12, 2 Oliver Stockwell (Welwyn Whs) +0:02, 3 Cam Hurst (XRT – Elmy) +1:14, 4 Max Bolton (Lee Valley Youth) +1:25, 5 James Pickering (Push Sport) +1:30, 6 Callum Riley (Newdales Cycles) +1:35, 7 Jack Parrish (Team Vision) +1:38, 8 Seb Herrod (Strada-Sport) +2:15, 9 Adam Lightfoot (Welwyn Whs) +2:54, 10 Tim Guy (DAP CC) +2:58

East Anglian Daily Times: Colchester Rovers competitor Zoe Swainston and well-dressed teammate - at the Colchester cyclocross. Picture: FERGUS MUIRColchester Rovers competitor Zoe Swainston and well-dressed teammate - at the Colchester cyclocross. Picture: FERGUS MUIR (Image: Archant)

Veteran 40-49: 1 Matt Webber (Forest Side Riders) 5 laps in 36:43, 2 Benjamin Lewis (Forest Side) +0:12, 3 Shaun Aldous (Renvale RT) +0:13, 4 Glenn Davey (Stowmarket & Dist) +0:48, 5 Paul Groombridge (Push Sport) +0:59, 6 Roger Maidment (Forest Side) +1:03, 7 Dan Howe (Wolsey RC) +1:35, 8 Andy Hurst (Amis Velo) +1:40, 9 Andy Green (Iceni Velo) +2:12, 10 Ian Newby (Diss & Dist) +2:14.

Veterans 50+: 1 Jimmy Piper (Renvale RT) 5 laps in 39:07, 2 Richard Muchmore (Renvale RT) +0:21, 3 Mark Wellsted (Amis Velo) +0:32, 4 Bruce Mackie (Lee Valley Youth) +1:36, 5 Dave Copland (Ipswich BC) +1:38, 6 Paul Watson (West Suffolk Whs) +1:40, 7 Terry Smith (Colchester Rovers) +2:04, 8 Steve Coulson + +2:05, 9 Ian Robson (MTS Cycle Sport) +2:11, 10 Peter Stiff (Southend Whs) +2:16.

Youth: 1 Alex Dale Youth (Lee Valley Youth) 4 laps in 30:25, 2 Daniel Hall (Colchester Rovers) +0:25, 3 Charlie Johnson (Stowmarket & Dist) +0:42, 4 Callum Laborde (Iceni Velo) +0:53, 5 Joseph Smith (Iceni Velo) +0:55, 6 Jake Crossley (Lee Valley Youth) +1:27.

Under 12: 1 Oskar Everett (Stowmarket & Dist) 8 laps in 17:42, 2 Oliver Beale (Lee Valley Youth) +0:04, 3 Ben Howlett (Ipswich Velo) +0:26, 7 Orla Kenna (St Ives CC, 1st Girl) +1:56. Under 10: 1 Billy Tomlinson (Lee Valley Youth) 5 laps in 10:10, 2 Isabel Beale U10G (Lee Valley, 1st Girl) +0:09, 3 Isaac Starmer (Colchester Rovers) +0:09.