Cyclo-cross

'Cross Report: It's a West Suffolk One/Two at Hempton!

Monday, 19 November 2012 20:23 |

Written by Barry Denny (words) /James Asker (photo) |

In a most memorable Cyclo Cross at Hempton, near Fakenham, Richard Muchmore scored another win in the 45+ Vets race last Sunday, chased home by fellow West Suffolk rider Mike Bowen. They had been locked in a race-long battle with league-leader Phil Buick and the lead changed several times, but with a big last lap effort Muchmore powered to victory. Held in bright weather the event featured a varied course of woodland, humps, bumps and a road section on which a formidable head-wind proved energy sapping. Further down the order in this race were other West Suffolk regulars, Adi Grimwood 38^th, Paul Barry 41^st and Barry Denny 44^{th ~}but ‘in the money’ as best over 60!

The Under 12’s did us proud again, gaining in confidence each week, Fraser Elsworth getting his best result to date in 5^th, Sam Asker 6^th and Oliver Griggs 18^th (7^th in the U10 category).

Richard Stiff continues to get improved results in the Seniors, this week coming home 34^th, joined by Jeremy Waterson making his debut, and despite a couple of tumbles came home in 43^rd.

This week the team result was our best ever, joint second to the Norfolk Iceni Velo, raising us to 7^th overall and still climbing.

Next event is at Redgrave this Saturday November 24, first race 11am.

Last Updated (Tuesday, 01 January 2013 18:03)

'Cross: Grafham Water Report

Sunday, 11 November 2012 21:41 |

Written by Barry Denny |

This week there were no less than 11 WSW&T members competing in round 9 of the Eastern Cross League at Grafham Water Reservoir. Conditions could not have been more different to last year’s event, with the course very muddy and slippery all the way round and many tumbles and DNFs as a result.

In the 45+ Vets event Richard Muchmore rode strongly to fourth with Mike Bowen also in the top 10, retaining his position as League Leader. Further down the field Adrian Grimwood, Darren Baker, Paul Barry and Barry Denny were scrapping for minor places, each suffering their own mishaps, and finishing 53^rd, 54^th, 56^th and 60^th respectively.

The U12 race saw another good 7^th for Fraser Elsworth, whilst Sam Asker crashed in the starting melee and took no further part. Matt Asker made a great debut in the U16 race in 38^th out of 53 starters and 2oth in the U14s.

We had two riders in the main Senior race, the last race on the programme by which time the course was a real mess. Richard Stiff came home 62^nd with James Asker making a great debut finishing 68^th out of 90 starters.

This was a great team effort, which saw West Suffolk third in the club competition for the third event consecutively, bringing us up to eighth overall in the League, and with every chance of improving this by the end of the season.

Next event at Hempton, Nr Fakenham next Sunday. Follow link for details: http://www.easterncross.org.uk/race12-13-10.htm

Last Updated (Tuesday, 11 December 2012 21:13)

'Cross: Run of success continues at Mistley

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 20:30 |

Written by Barry Denny/Paul Barry |

West Suffolk Wheelers and Triathlon Club were well represented at round eight of the Eastern Cross League last Sunday at Mistley, Essex and again came away with a race win, thanks to the super skill and fitness of Richard Muchmore, who won the Vets (45+) race by over a minute from a field of 52 riders. Last week’s WSW victor Mike Bowen came in third, just behind Phil Buick riding for Norfolk club, Iceni Velo, and retains his overall lead in the Vets League. The hilly woodland course was very slippery in places and resulted in a number of tumbles including Club Chairman Barry Denny, who crashed heavily but remounted to finish 43^rd, with Paul Barry 39^th. Adrian Grimwood retired with a broken gear mechanism after tangling with the woodland surroundings.

There were 50 riders in the Under 12 race. Promising Under 12 rider Fraser Elsworth crashed out after a good start, but Sam Asker achieved his best result to date in 6^th in the same category, with Oliver Griggs chased home by Matt Whitwell in 7^th and 8^th respectively in the under 10s category, this race again being won by Aaron Freeman of Chelmsford. Our only rider in the Senior event was Richard Stiff who retired with a puncture.

Mike Bowen wins Vets Cyclo Cross. Eastern League Round 7. 21st October 2012.

Tuesday, 23 October 2012 19:36 |

Written by Barry Denny/Paul Barry |

West Suffolk Wheelers and Triathlon Club were again well represented at the Eastern League Cyclo Cross meeting last weekend, with Mike Bowen earning an excellent win in the Vets race (45+) in muddy conditions at Davy Down, Thurrock. On a short and technical course Mike stayed with the leading group and made his effort on the one slight hill in the woods with a lap and a half to go and opened up a 20 second lead that he easily held on to. This strengthens his position at the top of the league standings in the Vets category. Barry Denny and Adi Grimwood were having the own battle further down the field, finishing 42^nd and 45^th respectively ~ but there were still several behind us!

Hillyfields Cross (Colchester). Eastern League Round 6. October 14th 2012.

Tuesday, 16 October 2012 19:07 |

Written by Barry Denny/Paul Barry |

West Suffolk Crossers were again out in force at the AmisVelo Cyclo-Cross at Hillyfields, Colchester on Sunday Oct 14 with a total of twelve members racing.

First out were the Vets (Over 45) in which Richard Muchmore excelled himself with a brilliant second place, with Mike Bowen also well up in ninth. Mike Lawson made his debut on his MTB steed, finishing 45^th, Barry Denny 48^th and Paul Barry 56^th. Darren Baker also started but withdrew after a few hairy moments in the very slippery conditions.

Then it was the turn of the Under 12’s, with Sam Asker and Fraser Elsworth both ceded on the front row of the grid. Unfortunately Sam crashed twice and retired, but Fraser rode very well to finish 7^th. Max Bidewell came home 24^th with Oliver Griggs 29^th (6^th U10) and Matt Whitwell 35^th (9^th U10). Well done lads.

In the highly competitive Senior race Richard Stiff rode well to 62^nd,with John Brooks making his debut , but retiring after a close encounter with some trees.

New Website

Cyclo-cross

'Cross Report: It's a West Suffolk One/Two at Hempton!

'Cross: Grafham Water Report

'Cross: Run of success continues at Mistley

Mike Bowen wins Vets Cyclo Cross. Eastern League Round 7. 21st October 2012.

Hillyfields Cross (Colchester). Eastern League Round 6. October 14th 2012.