Spalding Cycling Club’s Cyclo Cross season got under way with a pair of impressive performances at the two Lincolnshire League events held so far.
A small group of Spalding riders made the trip to Sleaford for round one on September 25, representing the club well with two top ten finishes.
After the demise of the Sherwood Pines SRAM team, Jake Norton made the decision to race in Spalding colours ahead of the opener.
In his final year as an under-16 youth category rider, Norton did not disappoint in the youth race with a fine ride – completing four laps in 24.20mins to take second place just four seconds behind Finn Mansfield of the MI Racing Academy Team.
The podium was completed by former Spalding racer Bryn Richards, of Bourne Wheelers, who took the award for first in the under-14 category.
As usual, the largest number of riders were found in the veterans race – and this time was no exception with a field of 85 on the start line including Spalding’s Tom Webster and Chris Bettinson.
They finished 60th and 62nd overall and one lap down on eventual winner Rick Lister, of Team Ford Ecoboost, who completed the seven laps in 45.18mins.
Second and third places went to Martin Kennedy (Ellmore Factory Racing) and Rick Crabtree (Pedalsport).
After trying Cyclo Cross for the first time in 2015, Ben Moore’s first outing in the seniors’ event was good enough for eighth overall after nine hard fought laps.
Round two of the league was hosted by Spalding on October 2 at the Gleed School, using a variation of the usual course which, together with slightly more muddy conditions and a stiff breeze, made for interesting racing.
With 27 entered in the four-lap youth race, only two Spalding members took to the start. Norton went clear from the gun to build an impressive lead throughout the race, eventually taking the win some 56 seconds clear of Bradley Sproggis (Paul Milnes Cycles) and 1.25mins ahead of third-placed Bourne ace Richards.
Tom Wright, meanwhile, had an excellent race and fought hard in a small group to finish eighth overall. Both Norton and Wright were one place better than their 2015 results.
In the seven-lap under-12s race a similar story unfolded.
Placing 11th overall and second girl in 2015, an in-form Velvet Bowser’s fifth place overall and award for first girl was an incredible result.
Jack Bowser rode strongly for eighth overall, improving five places from his 13th position in 2015. He was the last rider to complete the full seven laps.
Within the 43 competitors a new name on the Spalding roster also appeared as Scarlett Ward made her Cyclo Cross debut, riding a determined five laps to finish in 36th place.
As most Spalding members were involved in the event organisation, none were entered in the veterans race – but Velo One’s Adam Ellis, an ex-Spalding member, finished an impressive fourth behind third-placed David Allen (Alford Wheelers).
The top two spots were once again filled by Lister in first and Kennedy in second.
It took just 52.55mins for Matt Ellis, a Spalding second claim rider, to claim the overall win for the SPPH Raleigh team and first Junior in a very fast nine-lap seniors, juniors and women’s race.
The podium was completed by senior riders Tim James (Catford Equipe Banks) and George Thompson (Sleaford Wheelers), while the ladies’ award went to Team Ford Ecoboost’s Jo Tindley.
Spalding’s Ben Moore rode a great race to seventh overall, while second claim rider Tilly Gurney, competing in her EM Velocita Team colours, finished 36th and two laps down after a crash.
