A smaller number of Spalding Cycling Club members than is usual made the trip to Sproxton for the Witham Wheeler hosted round of the Lincs Cyclo Cross League – but that didn’t stop them impressing.
The youth race was taken in convincing style by Spalding’s second claim member Jake Norton, riding for Sherwood Pines SRAM RT team.
The fast course stretched the field of 14 with big time gaps between each finisher. Spalding’s other under-14 rider, Cameron Neilson, finished in eighth ahead of Thomas Webster in 11th.
As is now almost expected, the under-12s provided another display of high standard and determined racing.
Bryn Richards took the early lead at the front of the 44-strong field. He set a high pace, but faded toward the end to finish in third place just 40 seconds down on the winner.
Ben Norton took a fine fifth place as he finished 1.42secs off the pace.
Meanwhile, Molly Peel and Emily Richards continued their domination of the under-12 girls’ event.
They eventually finishing ninth and tenth overall.
The seniors’, vets’, juniors’ and women’s race had a field of 115 riders in a fast and furious encounter. Such was the speed, only 17 finished in the same lap and the majority of the finishers were lapped twice.
The Spalding contingent was led home by Andy Bowser in a very creditable 62 place, while Gareth Richards and Chris Peel took 80th and 82nd places overall and 26th and 28th in the vet category.
In the Vet 50 group, 13th place went to Tom Webster, who finished 92nd overall. Chris Bettinson was 16th, placing him 106th overall.
- The day before at Bingham, Jake Norton, Matt Ellis and Cameron Neilson were in action in the 77-strong youth race at the Notts and Derby league. Ellis took fifth place, while Norton was 11th and first under-14. Further down the field, Neilson was 45th overall.