The seventh round of the EADT sponsored Cyclo Cross League took place on Saturday November 4. West Suffolk were represented by just four riders, with Alan Trolove saving himself for the following day’s Inter Area event at Leicester and Barry Denny nursing a cold and quite relieved after seeing the tough nature of the course!

Mike Bowen started steadily as usual, but gradually made his way through the field as other riders tired in the very heavy going, only to loose several places when coming to grief over the double dismount plank obstacles. However he finished a creditable 18^th from a field of 65 vets (over 40 years). Soren Sjolin was very pleased to stay upright for the entire 40 minute race, coming home in 49^th place.

Jonathan Sjolin made a brilliant start in the U16 event, up to second at one point, but was disappointed to slide down to fifth during the race, which was won by Alwyn Newstead of Ipswich, in the absence of the usual front runners. Alexandra Sjolin rode in the U12 race and came home 18^th.

The following day Jonathan joined Alan in the Inter Team event in Leicester, one of twelve U16’s in the three teams representing the Eastern Region. The conditions were very slippery, with most riders falling several times during the race. The pace was hot with the Nation’s top riders taking part. Alan finished 17^th and best of the Eastern riders and Jonathan was 65^th from more than 80 finishers. The Eastern Youth Team was 6^th overall, an improvement over 7^th in 2009.

This Sunday (Nov 14) sees the next round of the Eastern Region League on a hilly wooded course at Mistley in Essex, whilst Alan Trolove competes in the third round of the National Series at Mallory Park.