Cyclo-Cross - EADT LeagueRound 13, ChelmsfordCYCLO-cross riders were cornering foot-out, cycle speedway style on the fast and frosty course at Springfield Hall Park, Chelmsford in the 13th round of the EADT League.

Fergus Muir

Fast and frosty as Nichols leads them home

Cyclo-Cross - EADT League

Round 13, Chelmsford

By Fergus Muir

CYCLO-cross riders were cornering foot-out, cycle speedway style on the fast and frosty course at Springfield Hall Park, Chelmsford in the 13th round of the EADT League.

In the climactic race of the day the hard frozen ground, with the surface just breaking up under the pressure of tyres, tested the skills of the top riders to the limit. A hint of over-enthusiasm on reverse camber corners and front wheels slid outwards and dumped their riders on the deck.

The race was a triumph for junior David Nichols (Glendene/Biketrax) the King Edward Grammar School student who lives in Chelmsford. He won by a 28 second margin from Ipswich expert and coach Nathan Miller, with master bike-handler Ian Newby (Diss & District) third, a further seven seconds back.

“A bit of everything” was the general verdict on the course. Ciclos-Uno promoter James Price included two flights of steps, a new track in the woods and a grassy switchback.

Phil Cooper of Blue Sky Cycles led the senior race first time round but Nichols put in the fastest full lap to take the lead. After a mediocre start Miller (Lotto/Interbike) worked his way up through the field to present the major challenge. With Nichols taking a careful line on the slippery surface, Miller closed to within three seconds with three laps to go. But, as an exciting finish seemed in prospect, Miller punctured, found a tyre on his spare bike had “slow”, and did well to keep his final deficit on Nichols to under half a minute.

Cooper finished up in fourth place with Ian Newby's son Luke taking fifth, surviving a late challenge from Stuart Chatting (Amis-Velo). Luke increased his chances in the closely contested junior competition, finishing two minutes ahead of Matt Cook (Mildenhall CC) the other rider who could top the Junior EADT League.

Fifty-nine riders contested the veterans' and women's race. Visitor Phil Roach took the lead from the start and was never challenged. Behind three League members tussled - Gavin Rumbles, Clive Ling and Julian Parker. Rumbles fell by the wayside on the fourth lap. Parker broke clear of Ling in a bold attacking move but arrived in the next corner travelling very fast, fell and then fell again while trying to get back on terms, leaving Ling to take maximum league points. Sue Wood of the Maldon& District CC took the women's prize.

Hugo Robinson (Ipswich BC) made no mistake about winning the Youth race, thus assuring himself of the League win. Sam Connelley (Maldon) was second and Daniel Young (Glendene/Biketrax) took third place and a big step up to third in the league.

Archie Wishart (Welwyn Whs) won the Under 12s, ahead of League Leader James Jackson (Colchester Rovers) and Lorna Robinson (IBC).

This weekend 15 EADT competitors travel to Derby to try their luck at the National Cyclo-Cross Championships.

The final round of the EADT League will be at Mistley on Sunday, January 25, with the League AGM immediately afterwards.

EADT League 2008-9

Round 13 Results

Seniors, Juniors: 1 David Nichols Jun (Glendene CC) 10 laps in 1.01.30, 2 Nathan Miller 1st Senior (Interbike) +0.28, 3 Ian Newby (Diss & District CC) +0.35, 4 Phil Cooper (Blue Sky Cycles) +1.20, 5 Luke Newby Jun (Diss & District CC) +3.03, 6 Stuart Chatting (Amis Velo RT) +3.09, 7 Richard Dunnett (Diss & District CC) +4.24, 8 Matthew Fenton (Cottingham Coureurs RC) +4:50, 9 Matthew Cook Jun (Mildenhall CC) +5.02, 10 Andrew Nichols (Cambridge Uni) +5.09, 11 Ben Paton (Amis Velo RT) +5.51, 12 Tom Castle Jun (Glendene CC) +6.19.

Veterans, Women: 1 Phillip Roach Vet (Rugby Velo) 6 laps in 36.19, 2 Clive Ling Vet (Diss & District CC) +2.02, 3 Julian Parker Vet (Ipswich BC) +2.37, 4 Clive Harrison Vet (Ford CC) +2.54, 5 Dave Copland Vet (Ipswich BC) +3.28, 6 Geoff Bores 1st Vet 50+ (Ford CC) +3.38, 7 Stephen Brazier Vet (Picasso-Pulman RT) +4.05, 8 Michael Smith Vet (Interbike) +4.08, 9 Philip Peacock Vet (St Ives CC) +4.11, 10 Jim Hardwicke Vet (Plomesgate CC) +4.20, 11 Terry Smith Vet (Interbike) +4.46, 12 Gary Wood Vet (Maldon & District) +4.54, 13 Craig Stevens Vet (PCA Ciclos Uno) +5.08, 14 David West Vet (Amis Velo RT) +5.09, 15 Peter Mooney 1st Vet 60+ (Rugby Velo) +5.1844 Susan Wood 1st Woman (Maldon & District) +1 lap +3.11.

Youth: 1 Hugo Robinson (Ipswich BC) 5 laps in 31.18, 2 Samuel Connolley (Maldon & District) +2.27, 3 Daniel Young (Glendene CC) +5.13, 4 Lewis Parker (Ipswich BC) +5.28, 5 Alan Trolove 1st U14 (West Suffolk Whls) +7.04, 6 Sam Bores (Lee Valley Youth CC) +7.24, 9 Phoebe Aubugeau-Williams 1st Yth/U14/Girl.

Under 12: 1 Archie Wishart (Welwyn Whls CC) 7 laps in 13.59, 2 James Jackson (Colchester Rovers) +0.46, 3 Lorna Robinson (Ipswich BC) +1.02, 4 Elliot Jarvis (Colchester Rovers) +1.50, 5 Sophie Holmes 1st U10 (Diss & District CC) +1 lap +0.04, 6 Charlotte Wickens (Ipswich BC) +1 lap +0.10.