THE news that Hugo Robinson is to represent Great Britain in the European Cyclo-Cross Championships in Frankfurt this weekend was the icing on the cake following his spirited ride in the National Trophy Junior event in Chantry Park, Ipswich.

This was a two-horse race with Robinson (XRT/Elmy Cycles) and Alistair Slater (Hargroves) well clear of the rest of the field. Slater opened a gap as the pair were lapping back-markers – Robinson did not get past so cleanly as Slater. In trying to close that gap Robinson hit a tree and had to settle for second place 20 seconds down.

Should Robinson be selected for the European Championships again in two years time he will not have to travel so far as Frankfurt – Ipswich will be the host town in 2012.

Robinson’s verdict on the Chantry Park course was “slippy”. Early in the day the grass was wet and a key feature was grass-surfaced off-camber bends, cunningly laid out so that the radius became tighter towards the exit. This was organiser Steve Grimwood’s 10th year of promoting National Trophy ‘crosses at Ipswich and this time he was blessed with good weather – forecast rain amounted to no more than a few spits and the sun came out as the senior men’s race brought the day to a climax.

This proved to be a war of attrition – with 35 minutes remaining six riders formed a leading group –Liam Killeen, Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing), Jody Crawforth (Hargroves Cycles) and three visitors from Belgium, Steven de Decker, Kenny Geluykens and Kris Lapere. Under pressure of attacks their numbers dwindled. With seven minutes to go it was down to Killeen and Oldham. Both knew that the finishing straight was smooth on the left and rougher on the right. Killeen, the 2006 Commonwealth Games MTB Champion, attacked through the last two corners and claimed the smooth side. The win was his – but Oldham was happy enough to retain his lead in the overall standings, following his victory in the first round at Abergavenny.

Under 23 contender Andy Nichols – winner of the EADT League last season - was an early retirement – probably feeling the effects of six minutes of flat-out effort on the Curbar Edge hill climb the previous day where he took eighth place out of 134 finishers in the British Universities Championship.

Nathan Miller (XRT/Elmy Cycles) worked well with Raleigh RT member Tom Lowe but was eventually dropped and finished 27th, just one place lower than last year.

In the Under-16 boys Alan Trolove of West Suffolk Wheelers was best-placed local rider, taking 16th place with Sean Dunlea (PCA Ciclos Uno) 27 seconds behind in 17th spot.

The day opened with the veterans races and they had the wettest conditions under wheel. “Boggy” said Stowmarket & District’s Paul Moss who came off on the first lap but recovered to take 37th place.

Winner of the 40-49 race was Darren Atkins, (Coventry RC) while Gary Lingard (CC Hackney), who has won the Elite Vet category in the last two Eastern League races, was fourth.

Dave Copland (Ipswich BC) freed for the day from computer result duties, was best local finisher in 24th place.

Results

(Winners and local riders)

Senior Men: 1 Liam Killeen (Individual Member) 27 Nathan Miller (XRT/Elmy Cycles) @6:12, 46 Hugo Hocknell (VC Revolution)

Women: 1 Ruby Miller (Forza Cycles).

Junior Men: 1 Alister Slater (Hargroves Cycles), 2 Hugo Robinson (XRT/Elmy Cycles) @20secs, 21 Patrick Cook (Ipswich BC) @8:28.

Veterans 40+: 1 Darren Atkins (Coventry RC), 24 Dave Copland (Ipswich BC) @4:40, 29 Ivan Burch (Interbike RT) @5:57, 37 Paul Moss (Stowmarket & District) @8:40, 40 Keiron Dunlea (PCA Ciclos Uno) @1 lap.

Vets 50+:1 Steven Davies (Endura), 17 Tony Wilkins (Endura) @6:27.

U16: 1 Jake Wormsley (Sowerby Bros) 16 Alan Trolove (WSW) @2:29, 17 Sean Dunlea (PCA Ciclos Uno) @ 2:56.

U16 girls:1 Emily Barnes (Rapha Condor).

Mark Arnold from Red Lodge took 28th place – out of 148 finishers - in the National Championship Hill Climb near Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds. His time was 4:24.4. This was 53 seconds down on winner Dan Fleeman.

Will Bamber, from Denton near Bungay was 53rd in 4:43.8. Arnold’s Pedal Revolution team mate and 2010 Anfield 100 winner Andy Bason was 87th in 5:07.7 – definitely not the horse for the course, but still willing to have a go!

The West Suffolk Roads & Tracks ride is on Sunday, November 28. The 26 mile route includes 10 miles off-road. Contact Richard Lines rlines@btinternet.com for further details.