Young Spalding Cycling Club talent Tristan Bramma was on fine form on two fronts last week.
His first outing was in the Fenland Clarion Cyclocross Go Ride Racing series on Friday night, held at Peterborough Embankment.
Conditions were chilly and, even though the rain held off until the end of racing, the event involved wet grassy banks.
He came fourth, third and third in his three races to place fourth overall on the night in the under-10s.
Bramma followed that up by competing on the Sunday at Hubberts Bridge, where despite falling off on one of the fast downhill bends, he secured another podium place by finishing third out of 16 in the under-9s.
- Sunday saw Spalding members in more cyclocross action at Hubberts Hill in the Lincolnshire League.
Regular rider James Bramma felt it was the toughest course yet.
The day was very chilly and short showers meant in places it was very muddy.
And, with plenty of gradual slopes and exciting down hills, it made it a challenging course – and may have explained the absence of several other Spalding regulars.
James Bramma struggled with the muddy uphill conditions, but managed a respectful 49th out of 88, which left him feeling he needs some strength training before tackling this course again.
Simon Wright did well to finish, coming back from starting at the back due to a slow puncture. And, with tyres suited to fast dry conditions, he finished 84th out of 88.
In the youth race Ben Norton came 19th out of 29, but his performance was handicapped slightly when he rolled a tubular tyre during the race and needed to borrow his father’s bike to finish.
- The club’s Sunday racing was at the popular Woodhall Spa race, hosted by Boston Wheelers.
The weather was perfect with a clear crisp day, while the course was quite technical with some challenging deep mud over concrete sections which caused a few upsets.
However, a nasty crash in the veterans race ended up with two riders sadly being hospitalised.
The under-40s set off first, with James Bramma managing a good result to come 32nd.
Behind him were Shane Norton (68th) and Simon Wright (75th), while Chris Bettinson suffered a puncture.
Tristan Bramma impressed again an came home fifth out of 30 in the under-9s. It was another consistent performance given the increased number of competitors.
Meanwhile, Ben Norton came 17th out of 40 in the Youth race and ‘Mr Consistent’ Tom Wright managed third out of 22 in the women’s/juniors race.
In the seniors, Ben Moore – given the few races he has competed in – did well to come eighth out of 33.
- On the social front, the Saturday club rides took in trips to Little Bytham and Fleet Garden Centre with 13 riders aged between ten and 79 turned out.
Several groups rode out the previous Sunday, one to Rutland Water, while a number of the faster riders took in a longer ride to near Melton Mowbray.
The midweek riders were again blessed with good weather, albeit a little breezy.
The highlight was Thursday’s ride to Ropsley when a record 13 riders turned out for Sarah Palmer’s Birthday ride.
Anyone interested in joining one of these rides can contact Barry Drew on 01775 724969.
