3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross 2012

Having decided not to continue writing my Examiner cycling column I haven't updated this blog for a while but I thought after yesterday's 3 Peaks I'd make an exception & do a brief write up.

This year was my 2nd attempt so I knew what to expect, this is an advantage & a disadvantage as you have a better idea what training & preparation to do but you also know what a bonkers event it is & therefore I was way more nervous.  Not helping the nerves was a shocking forecast for race day, I kept looking at the forecast in the days leading up to it but it never got better, in fact it got worse & with the recent rainfall in the area conditions were always going to be soggy.

We got to Helwith Bridge nice & early & I thought I had a good position on the start line but by the time we started I was somewhere in the middle as loads of riders had pushed their way to the front.  On the first road section I was flying, making up loads of places & dodging the inevitable crashes, got to the bottom of Ingleborough in good shape & more importantly ahead of club mate Graham Piccavey & Huddersfield Road Club's Andy Whitworth & Owen Mitton.

Simon Fell was ridiculous as always, so blimmin steep it's untrue & the wind was horrendous blowing us all over the place.  It was a slow slog to the top of Ingleborough where Graham & Andy passed me before we tackled the descent.  I'd been working on my descending so didn't do too badly even passing a few people which never happened last year.

Always nice to get to Cold Cotes & say hello to Emily & the support crew of Graham's other half Diane, daughter Sam & her other half Richard?, not forgetting the dog, who's name I've forgotten.  Didn't need anything so got on with catching Graham on the road to Whernside.  Got with a nice fast group but slightly too fast, we caught Graham but I was knackered by the time we hit the climb so started to drop back.  The rain had gone from a drizzle to pi$$ing down by the point, at the top it was sideways hail!!  Staggered up the climb & then came the slightly scary bit of riding across the top with a left to right gale force crosswind trying to avoid getting blown into the ravine to the right.

Descent was OK better than last year as I rode a lot more, very very wet though so changed gloves & waterproof at Ribblehead.  Stuck my Royal Mail showerproof coat on & Emily's ski gloves grabbed a couple of gels & cracked on.  Matt Enticknap from Malton Wheelers rolled past & we worked together to the bottom of Pen-Y-Ghent where he packed as his pedal was bust.

By this time all thoughts of catching Graham or getting a fast time where out of the window, just wanted to get to the top & get to the finish.  I rode as much of the climb as possible, then walked/staggered to the top which never seemed to get any nearer, just went on for ever & sideways rain/hail was ever present.  Eventually got there to get my dibber dibbed by the marshalls.  The marshalls yesterday were absolutely brilliant, it's one thing riding this race but to stand at the top of a mountain for several hours in those conditions is something else.

Forgot to mention the infamous puddle near the bottom of PYG which was about 2ft deep when we rode up but possibly another foot deeper by the time we rode down.  I say rode down more like waded through, was soaking wet by this time so it didn't really matter.  Descended pretty well once I'd got past the tricky bits near the top then just had a few miles of road to ride before the finish.

That has got to be one of the hardest days on a bike I've ever done but still enjoyed it in a weird way.  Roll on 2013.

Here are the times of the Huddersfield riders.  Rob Jebb won the event in 3 hours 9 minutes, an outstanding time in good weather let alone the horrendous conditions yesterday.

140	David Beachill	Huddersfield RC/Salamander Fabrications	M	Finish	14:02:53	04:32:53
141	Ivan Boyes	Huddersfield Star Wheelers	M	Finish	14:28:27	04:58:27
376	Owen Mitton	Huddersfield RC/Salamander Fabrications	MV40	Finish	14:27:50	04:57:50
377	Andy Whitworth	Huddersfield RC/Salamander Fabrications	MV40	Finish	14:21:52	04:51:52
378	Giles Bailey	Huddersfield Star Wheelers	MV40	Finish	14:52:48	05:22:48
379	John Docker	Huddersfield Star Wheelers	MV40	Finish	15:08:22	05:38:22
380	Peter Dukes	Huddersfield Star Wheelers	MV40	Finish	14:45:06	05:15:06
381	Graham Piccavey	Huddersfield Star Wheelers	MV40	Finish	14:12:54	04:42:54
611	Timothy Beachill	Huddersfield RC/Salamander Fabrications	MV50	Finish	14:21:18	04:51:18

Womersley Wins in Newcastle

Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT) had his first win of the 2012 season in the Newcastle Leazes Criteriums last Friday. Racing in the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Cat event round a tricky course in Leazes Park, Newcastle, Womersley just edged out Karl Denton (Blumilk RT) in the bunch sprint. The Mirfield youngster is obviously in good form following his 2nd place in the support race at Otley Town Centre races 2 weeks ago.

Another local rider in top form is VS Cycles Ben Kellett who won the Ron O’Brien Memorial Road race for 2nd, 3rd & 4th Cat riders on Sunday in Merseyside. Kellett won the 50 mile race by 100 yards from 2nd place rider Mark Perry (Dirtwheels Cycles). Former Holme Valley Wheeler Jacob Scott (Planet X) finished in 8th place.

The 5th round of the Yorkshire Summer Cyclo-Cross series took place in Harrogate last Wednesday. Once again Pedalsport riders took the first 4 places in the Under 14s race with Matt Taylor getting the win. Huddersfield Road Club’s Tom Whitworth was 10th, Huddersfield Star Wheeler Luca Longo was 2nd Under 8 Boy, club mates Ella Hampson & Katie Shaw were 2nd Under 10 Girl & 2nd Under 8 Girl respectively.

90 riders were on the start line for the Over 14s race, John Hick (Holme Valley Wheelers) was best of the local riders with 7th place & the winner was Billy Harding (Paul Milnes RT). There was a great battle between Huddersfield Road Club’s Andy Whitworth & Owen Mitton with Lee Brown (Holme Valley Wheelers). Brown had had a fantastic result the previous night at Brighouse Town Centre races where he finished in 3rd place in the 3rd & 4th Cat race. Whitworth finished ahead of Brown & Mitton in 27th position.

The next event is next Wednesday at Brooksbank School, Elland. Under 14s start at 7pm, Over 14s race at 7.30pm.

Otley Crits

There were some fantastic performances from local riders at the Otley Town Centre Races last Wednesday night. The event which featured the National Circuit Race Championships as the finale to the evenings racing. New Mill youngster Gabriel Cullaigh (RST Racing Team) started the evening in fine style winning the Under 16 boys event by half a wheel in an extremely tight bunch sprint from Fabio Close (Velocity RT) with Leon Gledhill (BBM Revolution CC) from Shepley in 3rd place. Cullaigh’s team mate Abby Mae Parkinson from Liversedge was 2nd in the Under 16 girls which was won by Melissa Lowther (Aire Valley RT). Kirklees Cycling Academy rider Lucy Aldridge had her best ever result in a road race taking 3rd place in the Under 14 girls race, Henrietta Colbourne (Beacon Wheelers) was first across the finish line.

In the Chevin Cycles Classic race for 2nd, 3rd & 4th riders Mirfield’s Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT) was never far from the front & after 45 minutes just missed out to Lee Tunnicliffe (Clay Cross RT) in the sprint finish. Michael Collins (RST Racing Team) was looking good in the leading group until a crash on the final lap put him out of contention.

The National Championship race was blisteringly fast & was won by Endura’s Scott Thwaites. Huddersfield professional Tom Murray (IG SIgmasport) was 11th place, Holme Valley youngster Jacob Scott (Planet X) had a great ride holding his own with the best riders in the country in only his first year as a Junior rider.

Mark Thaxter (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) clocked a personal best & club record in the Walsall CC 25 mile Time Trial last Saturday. Despite a strong headwind on the outward leg Thaxter knocked 51 seconds off his previous best to win the event in 50 min 28 sec, over 30 seconds faster than 2nd placed rider Adam Gascoigne.

Kippax Cyclo-Cross

The 4th round of the Pedalsport Summer Cyclo-Cross series took place at Oakbank School, Kippax last Wednesday. The Under 14s were first to race & once again the Pedalsport youngsters dominated with Matt Taylor getting the better of Max Rushby in 2nd & Jenson Young in 3rd. Best of the Huddersfield riders was Huddersfield Road Club’s Tom Whitworth in 7th place. James Thompson (Team Hope Racing) won the Over 14s race making light work of a tough course, John Hick (Holme Valley Wheelers) was 4th. Andy Whitworth (Huddersfield RC) was 20th in his first race after an injury, Lee Brown (Holme Valley Wheelers) wasn’t far behind in 21st & Huddersfield Star Wheeler Ivan Boyes had his best result this season in 26th place.

 

In the Overall standings the best placed local riders are Tom Whitworth, 5th in the Under 14s & Ivan Boyes, 11th in the Over 14s.

 

Event 5 in the series is at Killinghall Moor Country Park, Harrogate next Wednesday June 26th. Under 14s start at 7pm, Over 14s at 7.30pm.

 

 

Former Holme Valley Wheeler Jack Ford (Wakefield Junior Tri) won the Under 12s race at Darley Moor Motor Racing Circuit near Ashbourne on Saturday, Mason Hollyman (KCA) was 2nd & Jim Brown (Holme Valley Wheelers) was 3rd. Shepley youngster Leon Gledhill was 4th in the 3rd & 4th Category event with Lee Brown in 5th place, the race was won by Jonny Noton (Clay Cross RT).

 

Next Tuesday evening sees the welcome return of the VS Cycles Brighouse Circuit races. First race of the night is the Under 16s & Under 14s at 7pm followed by a race for 3rd & 4th Cat riders then a star studded Elite race featuring many of the top British based pro riders as seen in the recently televised Tour Series on ITV4.

Holme Valley Wheelers 2 Day

Holme Valley Wheelers organised a 2 Day stage race for Elite, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Cat riders last weekend. Friday’s 33mile road stage in Honley was cut short by 3 laps due to heavy rain & fading light. Ben Ives (WeLoveMountains) took a well deserved win & the leader’s yellow jersey after 12 ascents of the 18% climb of Bradshaw road, only 15 riders were left in the leading group and many were lapped or didn’t make it to the finish. Jacob Scott (Planet X) was best of the local riders in 12th place, an impressive result for the former Holme Valley Wheeler.

The weather hadn’t improved much on Saturday morning for the 10 mile Time Trial on the Sovereign course, the riders faced more rain & a strong headwind in the final half of the race. James Gullen (Metaltek-Scott) recorded a lightning quick time of 22min 33sec, enough to move into the overall lead going in to the final 55 mile road race stage on the Denby Dale course. Alastair Hepworth (Batley CC) from Kirkburton was fastest local rider in 25min 5sec.

Metaltek-Scott team mates Tom Barras & Simon Wilson finished over 3 minutes in front of their nearest rivals after 55 miles of racing in the afternoon. Wilson claimed the overall victory with James Gullen in 2nd & Ben Ives in 3rd place. Local rider Ben Kellett (VS Cycles) had looked strong throughout the race but had to drop out of the final stage as he was totally exhausted. Former Holme Valley Wheeler Richard Binks (Clay Cross RT) finished in 20th overall & described the race as the “hardest race he’d done in years”. Jacob Scott finished in 12th place overall, one place ahead of Mirfield’s Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT)

As well as the 2 day race Holme Valley Wheelers promoted an Open 10 Mile Time Trial which took place between stages 2 & 3. World Champion track rider Laura Trott (Matrix Fitness-Prendas) was the star attraction winning the ladies prize in a record time of 24min 34sec. Alastair Wareham (Team Swift) was fastest with a time of 22min 12sec, Huddersfield Star Wheeler Andrew Pearson was 4th in 24min 41sec. Wareham will surely lower the course record this year if he gets more favourable conditions.

Here are the times for the HVW Sovereign TT League for last Wednesday.

1st Ben Kellett (VS Cycles)  23:31
2nd Gareth Owen (Team Swift) 24:39
3rd Jacob Scott (Planet X) 24:38
4th Chris Harris (HVW)26:00
5th Andrew Kerry (HVW) 27:01
6th Rachael Mellor (HVW) 27:05 (1st lady)
7th Derek Johnstone (HVW) 27:31
8th Gordon Moss (HVW) 28:15

John Hick (Holme Valley Wheelers) was 3rd place in the Seniors race in the latest round of the Yorkshire Summer Cyclo-Cross series at Colne Valley High School on Wednesday. Race organiser Andy Whitworth designed a tough & gruelling course for the 73 riders that took part. The race was won by Rob Thackray (Paul Milnes RT) with Mike Young (Pedalsport CC) only just getting the better of Hick in a close battle for 2nd place. Holme Valley Wheeler Lewis Byram was fastest Under 16 rider in 21st place with club mate Lee Brown in 24th, Ivan Boyes was fastest of the Huddersfield Star Wheelers in 30th position.

Pedalsport CC riders dominated the Under 14s race with riders in the top 4 positions, Jenson Young was first across the line. Jim Brown (Holme Valley Wheelers) was first of the local riders in 5th place & Huddersfield Road Club’s Tom Whitworth was in 9th position & Hannah Whitworth was 2nd placed Under 10 Girl. Alex Bailey (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) was 2nd Under 8 Boy.

Kirklees Cycling Academy held their first Go-Ride race of the year at Spen Valley Sports College on Thursday. On an extremely wet night riders representing 4 different clubs competed in 2 Cyclo-Cross races & despite the weather thoroughly enjoyed the evenings racing. Pedalsport rider Oliver Walton was 1st boy in the Expert group with Ruby Boyes 1st placed girl. In the Beginner group Rebecca Rosser (East Bradford CC) narrowly beat Kate Shaw (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) into 2nd place.

This Thursday Kirklees Cycling Academy are organising a Go-Ride race at Richard Dunns Sports Centre in Bradford. Racing will start at 7pm contact Ivan on 01484 302846 for more information.

Photos from the HVW 2 Day, Open 10 & the Cyclo-Cross at Colne Valley on the Flaming Photography website.

Gabz Wins North West Youth Tour

Gabriel Cullaigh (RST Racing Team-Trigon) took his best win of the season winning the North West Youth Tour. Taking place over the bank holiday weekend the event featured 2 races on Saturday & Sunday at circuits in Preston & Lancaster then a longer race in Blackpool on Monday. The best Youth riders in the country were competing as well as International teams including a team from the Czech Republic. Despite winning 2 stages in the previous 2 days Cullaigh went into the final stage in 2nd place behind Charlie Tanfield (Velo 29), but the Holme Valley youngster won the bunch sprint in a frenetic last stage to take 2nd place behind Czech rider Pavel Camrda who won by just 5 seconds. Thanks to time bonuses Cullaigh pipped Tanfield to the overall prize by just 4 seconds.

Kellett in action in sunnier weather

Ben Kellett took his first road race win on Sunday in the Ian Mountain Memorial event for Elite, 1st & 2nd Cat riders on the Sharlston course near Wakefield. The VS Cycles rider got in an early break with 4 other riders, including Yorkshire Junior Road Race Champion Joe Moses & his team mate Rob Sharman (Sportscover Altura RT). The breakaway riders never looked back despite the heavy rain & soon built up a substantial lead on the main bunch. Halfway round the last lap of the 60 mile race Kellett attacked & his breakaway companions couldn’t respond as he accelerated away & took a fine solo win.

Kellett’s team mate Alex Orell-Turner finished in 4th place in the Eric Biddulph Memorial Road Race promoted by Huddersfield Star Wheelers on the Birdsedge course on Sunday. Conditions in this race for 3rd & 4th Cat riders were so awful that the race was shortened by 1 lap. Sheffrec rider Jonathan Wolff was off the front for pretty much the whole race, for the first few laps Matt Armitage (VS Cycles) rode with him but then dropped back to the bunch. Nick Coupland (WeLoveMountainsCC) broke clear of the bunch to join Wolff for the last half of the race & they never looked like being caught with Coupland just edging out Wolff in the 2-up sprint for the finish line. Only 15 riders were left in the bunch from the 45 that started & it was Simon Maudsley (RVO Racing) who took 3rd place closely followed by Orell-Turner.

 

Holme Valley Wheelers are promoting a 2 day race this weekend. Friday evening’s stage takes place on an extremely hilly course in Honley featuring 14 ascents of the killer climb of Bradshaw Lane. Saturday will see the riders compete in a 10 mile time trial on the Sovereign Course followed by a 55 mile road race on the Denby Dale course. A full field of 60 riders are on the start sheet with many local riders taking part.

Kirklees Cycling Academy are organising 5 Go-Ride races this Summer, the first is a Cyclo-Cross event this Thursday at Spen Valley High School, Liversedge. This event is for novice riders under 16 years old, each entrant will do at least 2 races. Racing will start at 7pm & will cost £2.50, for more information contact Ivan on 07527 810086.

Batley CC Road Race May 27th

It was a tough morning in the saddle for the riders in the Batley CC Road Race at Hartshead on Sunday. Right from the off in the 66 mile race for 2nd, 3rd & 4th Cat riders breaks were going up the road but it was in the final 4 laps that the decisive split occurred with 8 riders getting clear of the bunch. This group included 3 riders from Brighouse based team VS Cycles, Ben Kellett, Matthew Armitage & Paul Dixon. Despite the group splitting briefly going into the last lap it came back together for the sprint with Ben Ives (We Love Mountains) just getting the win ahead of David Shackleton (Wilsons Wheels), Ben Kellett led home the VS Cycles trio in 3rd place, Dixon was 4th & Armitage 5th.

Here's some photos

There was a strong showing from local youth riders in Round 2 of the White Rose League at Richard Dunns, Bradford last Wednesday. Felicity Gledhill (Planet X) from Shepley won the time trial & the circuit race in the Under 12 Girls, older brother Leon was 2nd in a highly competitive Under 16 Boys circuit race, narrowly beaten by Levi Moody (Pedalsport). Abby Parkinson (RST Racing Team) from Liversedge & Amira Mellor (Holme Valley Wheelers) were 2nd & 4th respectively in the Under 16 Girls event, Melissa Lowther (Aire Valley RT) was first over the line.

Shelley youngster Jack Ford (Wakefield Junior Tri) was 3rd in the Under 12 Boys circuit race which was won by Nathan Hawthorne (Cycle Sport Pendle), Holme Valley Wheeler Jim Brown was 4th & Mason Hollyman (Kirklees Cycling Academy) finished in 6th place. Kirklees Cycling Academy riders Adam Fortune & Henry Hollyman were 3rd & 4th in the Under 10 Boys & Nathan Fortune was 2nd in the Under 8 Boys.

See report on Gabz Cullaigh on Examiner website

Any young cyclists who are at a loose end over half term should have a look at these links to coaching sessions run by Yorkshire Go-Ride coaches Chris Young & Kim Meadows.

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events ... aching-U16

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events ... k-Coaching

The next round of the Yorkshire Summer Cyclo-Cross series takes place at Colne Valley High School on Wednesday 6th June.  Under 14s at 7pm, Over 14s at 7.30pm.

Kirklees Cycling Academy are organising some Go-Ride racing at Spen Valley High School on Thursday.  See link for details.

Yorkshire Road Race Championships

The Yorkshire Road Race Championships took place on Sunday at Sherrif Hutton near York & there were some impressive results from the Huddersfield based riders. Former Holme Valley Wheeler Richard Binks (Clay Cross RT) won the Masters event which came down to a sprint finish after 55 miles of hard racing on a tough course which featured the infamous 1 in 5 climb of Bulmer Bank & a long drag of a climb to the finish line. Paul Dixon (VS Cycles) finished in 7th place.

In the Junior event, over the same distance as the Masters, VS Cycles Alex Orrell-Turner got his best result of the season finishing in 2nd place to Joe Moses (Sportscover Altura RT). Alastair Hepworth (Batley CC) from Kirkburton crossed the line in 6th place closely followed by Mirfield’s Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT) in 7th.

The Elite race, which covered 80 miles, set off at a furious pace with 12 riders going clear including local riders Tom Murray (IG Sigmasport), Richard Hepworth (Cycle Premier - Kovert) & Ben Kellett (VS Cycles). Kellett unfortunately punctured & had to drop out of the race. Node 4 Giordana rider Peter Williams attacked on the final ascent of Bulmer Bank & never looked in danger of being caught by the chasers, crossing the line 1min 16sec ahead of Tom Murray in 2nd. Hepworth ended up in 7th place a further 41 seconds back.

See full report on British Cycling Website.

Mark Thaxter (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) rode his first 25mile time trial of the season on Saturday in the Stone Wheelers event near Stoke-on-Trent. Once again Thaxter was on top form finishing in 2nd place with a time of 51min 21sec, the winning time went to Joel Wainman (Team Swift) with 50min 2sec.

All the time from this event are on the CTT site.

The Yorkshire Points Summer Cyclo-Cross series is in full swing with the 2nd round taking place at Todmorden last Wednesday. Kirklees Cycling Academy rider Adam Fortune was first Under 10 Boy in the Under 14s race, younger brother Nathan was 2nd in the Under 8 Boys category behind Tom Scott (Sheffield Stars) with Luca Longo (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) in 3rd place. In the Under 10 Girls category, won by Ava Oxley (Wakefield Junior Tri), Hannah Whitworth (Huddersfield RC) was 2nd & Huddersfield Star Wheeler Ella Hampson in 3rd.

The Over 14s course was probably the toughest the riders will see this Summer with a steep cobbled climb & some challenging descents. Neal Crampton (Crosstrax) dominated the race, winning by over 2 minutes from 2nd place Chris Taylor (Pedalsport CC). Best of the Huddersfield riders was Owen Mitton (Huddersfield RC) in 28th, Huddersfield Star Wheelers Ivan Boyes & Graham Piccavey were 33rd & 36th respectively.

Full results here

Thaxter makes his Mark

Huddersfield Star Wheeler Mark Thaxter was fastest Veteran & 2nd overall in the Yorkshire 10 mile Time Trial Championships on Sunday. Thaxter is obviously on great form as he was 2nd on the same course earlier in the week in the Yorkshire Cycling Federation event. Professional Triathlete Philip Graves was fastest over the course in 20min 54sec, Thaxter stopped the clock in 21min 13sec & Alistair Wareham (Team Swift) was in 3rd place with a time of 21min 31sec. Wareham was on the top step of the podium in the Drighlington 25 mile event on Saturday posting an impressive time of 52min 23sec.

Local riders Jacob Scott (Planet X) & Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT) were in the thick of the action in the National Junior Road Race Championships on Sunday in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales. After a frenetic start to the 111km race both Scott & Womersley got into the decisive breakaway group of 19 riders. With 30km to go the group began the 4km climb up to Brynmawr & the group split again with Scott & Womersley in the 2nd group. After 3 hours of racing it was Sam Lowe (Hargroves Cycles) who took the victory & the National Champions Jersey, Scott finished in 12th & Womersley was 13th.

Richard Binks gained his 2nd Category racing license with 4th place in the Steve Rigby Memorial Road Race on Sunday. Race winner Andrew Shaw (Dinnington RC) won the race with a solo attack with 5 laps to go in the 50 mile 3rd & 4th Category event on the Ledston Circuit near Kippax with Binks finishing in 3rd in the bunch sprint.

39 young riders representing several local cycling clubs & schools competed in the Huddersfield Star Wheelers Go-Ride Cyclo-Cross race at Newsome High School & Sports College on Saturday. There was a 1 lap sprint race, a longer handicap event & also an obstacle course to complete. Riders were split into groups based on ability & medals & certificates were awarded to the first 3 Boys & Girls. Star Wheeler Ella Hampson was 2nd Girl in her group with Hannah Whitworth (Huddersfield RC) in 3rd place. Luca Longo & Amos Dukes both received bronze medals in their races. In the expert group it was Matt Taylor (Pedalsport) who overcame a huge handicap to win the race. Holme Valley Wheelers Andrew & Nicky Farquhar weren’t far behind in 2nd & 3rd places.

Isle of Man Youth Tour

After 3 days of tough competition in the Isle of Man Youth Tour, Jacob Scott (Planet X) took the final stage on Monday in the Junior event. On the 3rd lap of 6, 2 riders broke clear of the bunch on the climb to Bride & were quickly joined by 4 more including Scott. The 16 year old rider from Holmfirth won the sprint on the Ramsey seafront from Dutch rider Jochum Buchener (Sleepwell Hotels) in 2nd & overall race winner Joe Moses (Sportcover Altura RT), from Bradford in 3rd.

In the Under 14 Boys event the White Rose League Team, which included Kirklees Cycling Academy riders Harry Hardcastle & Brad Dransfield, were 3rd in the overall team prize which was won by the Velocity Race Team Composite.

In the Under 12 Boys event Mason Hollyman (Kirklees Cycling Academy) & former Holme Valley Wheeler Jack Ford (Wakefield Junior Tri) were 7th & 13th overall, but in the Points competition based on finishing positions on each stage Ford was 2nd behind Matthew Shaw (Solihull CC) & Hollyman was 3rd. Mason’s younger brother Henry was highly creditable 7th overall in the Under 10 Boys.

Kirklees Cycling Academy siblings Adam & Nathan Fortune were flying in their races at the Palatine Spring Specials Circuit Race at Blackpool on Saturday. Adam won the 5 lap Under 10 Boys race & Nathan was 2nd behind Tyler Lloyd (H Middleton CC) in the 3 lap Under 8 Boys event. In the Seniors 3rd Category race Dave Micklethwaite (3RT) was an impressive 2nd place behind James Chamberlain (Cyclesport International RT). Team mate Daniel Stocchero was 3rd in the 4th Category race which was won by Richard Sagar (North Lancashire RC).

The first 2 events of the Summer Cyclo-Cross season took place last week with the first race at Oakbank School, Keighley. Adam Fortune (Kirklees Cycling Academy) had the best result of the local riders in the Under 14s race finishing 1st Under 10 Boy, Nathan Fortune was best of the Under 8 riders. Ian Taylor (Craven Energy Tri) was a class apart in the Seniors race, with much of the course waterlogged it was more like the conditions you’d expect for Winter events. Best of the Huddersfield riders was Owen Mitton (Huddersfield RC) in 24th, Ivan Boyes (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) was 36th.

On Sunday it was the Kirklees Mayor’s Charity Cyclo-Cross at Spenborough Athletics Track. Matt Denby (Zepnat RT) won the Seniors race & Gilly Dukes (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) won the Ladies competition in her first ever race. Holme Valley Wheelers were 3rd & 4th in the Under 14s race with Isaac Shepherd & Jim Brown, Luca Longo (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) was 4th in the under 10s event.

Huddersfield Star Wheelers are organising a Go-Ride Cyclo-Cross event for novice riders on Saturday at Newsome High School & Sports College. First race starts at 3.30pm, ring organiser Ivan Boyes on 01484 302846 for more information.

Gabz Cullaigh wins in Belgium

Gabriel Cullaigh (RST Racing Team) took his first continental victory in the Nieuwelingen Open Omloop in Kruishouten, Belgium on Sunday.  Cullaigh was riding with other members of the Great Britain Talent Team who split the 63km race to pieces right from the start in the strong crosswinds.  Going into the final lap the young Holme Valley rider was away in a break with team mate Ben Chapman & a local rider.  

"Me and Ben were firing off attacks but couldn't shake the Belgian rider off.  We went into the finishing straight and Ben led it out, with 200m to go the Belgian kicked, I responded and came round him and drove to the line taking the win by a bike length. 

There was a packed days racing at a wet & cold Tockwith Aerodrome last Saturday with Huddersfield riders getting some great results.

Shelley youngster Jack Ford (Wakefield Junior Tri Club) continued his winning streak in the Under 12 Boys race, Mason Hollyman (Kirklees Cycling Academy) was 3rd.  Felicity Gledhill (Planet X), from Shepley, matched Ford's result in the Under 12 Girls race.

Billy Lazenby (Eastland Velo) won the Under 10 Boys race with Kirklees Cycling Academy riders Henry Hollyman & Adam Fortune finishing closely in his wheel tracks in 2nd & 3rd respectively.  Adam's younger brother Nathan was 2nd in the Under 8s.

Abby Mae Parkinson (RST Racing Team) was 3rd in the Under 16 Girls race behind team mate Lauren O'Brien in 2nd & Melissa Lowther in 1st place.

Huddersfield Star Wheeler Josh Ruddiman had his best result in his first road racing season, sprinting for 2nd place in the 4th Cat race, won by Levi Moody (Pedalsport).

Former Holme Valley Wheeler Jacob Scott (Planet X) was 2nd in the Junior race and was one place better in the Tameside Circuit race on Tuesday where he won the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Cat event.  Nathan Fortune & Felicity Gledhill won their races at the circuit near Ashton Under Lyne.

Holme Valley Wheelers Rachael Mellor & daughter Amira won their respective categories in the Leigh Premier 10 mile Time Trial on Saturday near Bickerstaffe, Lancashire.  Rachael was 24th overall & 1st Lady in a time of 24min 56sec & Amira, despite a slow puncture, finished in 27min 12sec & was first Junior.

Cullaigh wins again

Gabriel Cullaigh (RST Racing Team) notched up another win in the Barkstone Circuit Race League event in Lincolnshire on Saturday.  Cullaigh beat team mate Joey Walker into 2nd place in the Under 16 Boys race.

Another rider in top form is former Holme Valley Wheeler Jack Ford (Wakefield Junior Tri Club) who won the Under 12 Boys race & is looking like the rider to beat in 2012.

Amira Mellor (Holme Valley Wheelers) was an impressive 6th in the Youth race at the National Mountain Bike Series event at Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire on Sunday.  Mellor, who is on British Cycling's Talent Team, was making the technical sections of the course look easy despite the extremely slippery conditions.  The race was won by Lucy Grant (Peebles CC) who completed 2 laps in 56min 45sec.

Riding his first ever Mountain Bike event Harry Hardcastle (Kirklees Cycling Academy) showed great potential in finishing 10th in the Juvenile Boys race, won by Daniel Tulett (Hargroves Cycles).

Gareth Owen (Team Swift) made a brave breakaway attempt in the Hull Thursday Road Race at North Newbald on Sunday.  The race was extremely tough for the 66 starters with a long steep hill every lap, some sharp showers & grit strewn roads which caused many punctures.

Owen jumped clear of the bunch on the first lap with Stephen Coates (We Love Mountains RT) & stayed away till the last lap when they were caught by what what was left of the main bunch, just 9 riders.  James Allen (Sheffrec CC) took the win, Owen just missed out on a top ten finish but did claim 4 primes during the race. Ivan Boyes (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) was heading for 17th place but punctured on the last lap, only 22 riders made it to the chequered flag.

Mellor Victorious in VTTA 10

Rachael Mellor (Holme Valley Wheelers) was fastest in the VTTA 10 mile Time Trial at South Cave near Hull. Mellor clocked 23min 39sec for the event, 30 seconds faster than 2nd place Katherine Pimlott (Ilkey CC)

Alastair Wareham (Team Swift) & team mate Joel Wainman finished in 2nd place with a time of 32min 48sec in the Lincolnshire LRRA 2-up time trial in Lincolnshire on Saturday. The winning time was 32min 28sec from the Sportscover Altura Team of Adam Duggleby & Ashley Brown.

Kirklees Cycling Academy riders has some great results at the ACT Easter Monday Track meeting at Manchester Velodrome last week. Harry Hardcastle was on the winning team in the Youth B Italian Pursuit race & Henry Hollyman did the same in the Youth C & D event. Mason Hollyman’s best result was 3rd in the Youth C & D 1km Scratch race. Not to be outdone by his sons, Nigel Hollyman won the Over 40s Unknown Distance race & Huddersfield Star Wheeler Ivan Boyes was 3rd in the Under 40s event.

The 2nd event in the Yorkshire Road Race League took place on Sunday. Race organiser Marc Etches from Sheffrec CC attracted an extremely strong field of 66 Elite, 1st & 2nd Cat riders to ride 18 laps of the Braithwell course in South Yorkshire. Jamie Shirlaw (Herbalife Leisure Bikes) won the 62.5 mile race which had been split into several groups by the fast pace & strong winds, Huddersfield’s Tom Murray (IG-Sigmasport) finished in 11th place.

Busy Easter Weekend for Huddersfield Riders

Holme Valley Wheeler Amira Mellor was part of the winning team in the Youth Tour of Scotland over the Easter weekend. Over 140 riders took part in the event near Perth which included a prologue time trial, team time trial & 2 road stages. Mellor was part of a composite team which included Kim English, Beth Hayward & Melissa Lowther who won the individual overall prize.

Mark Thaxter broke the Huddersfield Star Wheelers 10 Mile Club Record on Good Friday in the Hull City Road Club event. Thaxter improved on his own record by 35 seconds to stop the clock in 19min 17sec which was enough for 9th place. The winning time went to Jeff Jones (www.drag2zero.com) with 18min 9seconds, Huddersfield rider Alistair Wareham (Team Swift) was 11th in 19min 27sec.

It was a weekend of highs & lows for Huddersfield Professional Cyclist Tom Murray (IG-Sigmasport). On Good Friday he was competing in the Herne Hill Track meeting in London, his best result was 3rd place in the prestigious Golden Wheel 20 km Scratch race which was won by Marcel Katz from Germany.

Cold wet weather, mechanical issues & questionable decisions from the race commissaires made for a less than successful Tour Doon Hame in Scotland which started on Saturday & finished on Easter Monday. Endura Racing dominated the 3 stage race, the 2nd Premier Calendar event of 2012, Jonny McEvoy taking the overall prize and his team are looking like the riders to beat this year. Murray finished in 72nd place & is hoping for some better luck in the upcoming Tour Series town centre races, one of his main goals for the season.

Kirklees Cycling Academy youth team had some great results in the Stockport Clarion youth event in Buxton on Good Friday. Henry Hollyman won the 10 lap race for Under 10 Boys & was 2nd in the 5 lap event. Mason Hollyman & Nathan Fortune were both 2nd in their 2 races in the Under 12s & Under 8s respectively.

Former Holme Valley Wheeler Richard Binks (Clay Cross RT) fine road race form continued with 3rd place in the ActiveCPCycles Easter Road Race on Sunday. First over the finish line in the 90km race for 2nd, 3rd & 4th Cat riders was Julian Gromett (Cottingham Coureurs RT) , Binks is now only 9 points from gaining his 2nd Cat racing license.

Still waiting on the results from the ACT Track event at Manchester on Easter Monday which I'll stick in next week's report.

Thaxter Gets 5th in First Event of 2012

Mark Thaxter’s 2012 time trial season is underway with a fine 5th place in the Birdwell Wheelers event on Saturday near Doncaster. Thaxter rode the 10 mile course in 21min 56sec, the winning time went to reigning National Hill Climb Champion Gunnar Gronlund (RST Racing Team-Trigon) with 20min 58sec.

Thaxter’s club mate Tom Broadbent had an equally noteworthy result in the 51 mile Circuit of the Dales Time Trial on Sunday which starts near Ingleton & has 3000ft of climbing making it a real challenge for the 100 plus competitors. Broadbent was an impressive 15th place with a time of 2hours 9mins 56sec, Richard Handley (Rapha Condor Sharp) recorded the fastest time of 1hour 55min 38sec, nearly 3 minutes ahead of 2nd place rider Andy Wilkinson (Port Sunlight Wheelers).

Holme Valley Wheeler Lee Brown picked up enough points for his 3rd Cat racing license with 6th place in the 34 mile race at Darley Moor near Ashbourne, Derbyshire on Saturday. The race was won by Joe Evans (Team Velocity). Local youngsters Jack Ford (Wakefield Junior Tri) & Mason Hollyman (Kirklees Cycling Academy) were 1st & 2nd respectively in the Under 12 Boys race.

Former Star Wheeler James Sampson (Node 4-Giordana) picked up 7th place in the Dirtwheels Spring Classic Road Race on Sunday. The 70 mile race for Elite, 1st & 2nd Cat riders was won by Sampson’s team mate Keiran Frend who won with a solo attack on the last lap of the Penny Pot Lane circuit near Harrogate. Best local finisher in the 44 mile 3rd & 4th Cat race was former Holme Valley Wheeler Richard Binks (Clay Cross RT) in 7th place.

Darley Moor Youth Race Win for Cullaigh

Holme Valley youngster Gabriel Cullaigh (RST Racing Team-Trigon) had his first win of 2012 in the Youth race at Darley Moor near Ashbourne in Derbyshire on Saturday. Cullaigh attacked after 2 laps of the 6 lap race & held the bunch off for a fine solo win.

This race obviously wasn’t hard enough as also rode the 34mile Elite race afterwards & held his own against some very strong opposition finishing in the top 20. Huddersfield Pro rider Tom Murray (IG Sigma Sport) got in the race winning break of 4 riders but just missed out in the sprint to Jamie Shirlaw (Team Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes).

Murray’s team have recently been confirmed as riding in the Tour Series along with former Holme Valley Wheeler & Olympic Gold Medallist Ed Clancy & his team Rapha Condor Sharp . The televised town centre races kick off in Kirkcaldy, Fife on Tuesday May 15th.

Lee Brown (Holme Valley Wheelers) just missed out on a podium place in the Tameside Season Starter Race No 3 on Sunday at Ashton Under Lyne. Brown was well positioned throughout the 50 minute race for 4th Category riders & finished 4th in the bunch gallop. The race was won by Adam Blakeley (Pendle Forest CC).

Brown was also in action in the last Friday Night Track League event until October. Riding in the top group his best result was 2nd place in the Devil race.

First win for Murray

 

Tom Murray (IG-Sigma Sport) took his first win of the season in the Wansbeck Australian Pursuit race in Northumberland on Sunday. The handicap groups came together halfway through the 47 mile race, Murray was clearly on a mission & attacked with 2 other riders who held off the 10 man chasing group till the last lap. Murray attacked again & this time he stayed away, only Dan Smith (Velo 29CT) could stay on his wheel but it was the Huddersfield rider who was strongest up the finishing hill to take the chequered flag.

 

 

Abby Mae Parkinson (RST Racing Team) won the Under 16 Girls race at the Barkston Circuit Race League event on Saturday at Grantham, Lincolnshire on Saturday. There was no luck for team mate Gabriel Cullaigh in the Boys race, he was in a breakaway with James Shaw (Forme-Cycleshack) & as they started their sprint for the line Cullaigh was blocked by lapped riders & finished in 2nd place. Shepley youngster Leon Gledhill had a great ride for 3rd place.

Huddersfield rider Alastair Wareham (Team Swift) & team mate Simon Beldon were an impressive 4th place out of 34 teams in the Hull Thursday RC 2-up 24 mile time trial on Saturday. Wareham & Beldon clocked 49min 41sec, the event was won by Sportscover-Altura RT duo John Tanner & Colin Humphrey with a time of 47min 59sec.

Three in a row for Alastair Wareham

Three wins in as many weeks for Huddersfield fastman Alastair Wareham (Team Swift). Wareham’s latest victory was in the Malton Wheelers 10 mile event last Saturday, he clocked 22min 14sec more than 30 seconds clear of his team mate Jon Surtees in 2nd place.

Condor Road Club rider Simon Fortune, from Outlane, was first to the chequered flag in the 4th Cat race at the Tameside Season Starter event at Ashton-under-Lyne on Sunday. Despite the best efforts of the Halifax based Pedalsport CC riders to breakaway, the race came down to a bunch sprint with Fortune just getting the better of Duncan Warner (Airedale Olympic) & Kevin McCann (Liverpool Century CC) in 2nd & 3rd places.

Henry Hollyman (Kirklees Cycling Academy) was best of the local riders who competed in the CDNW Youth event at Southport on Saturday. Riding in the Under 10 category Hollyman’s best result was 4th place in the 2nd race of the day.

Former Huddersfield Star Wheeler James Sampson (Node 4-Giordana) had another strong showing in the latest CDNW event at Saighton near Chester on Sunday. The 56 mile race for Elite, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Cat riders was won by Sampson’s team mate Pete Williams.

BSCA Regional Cross Champs March 3rd

Kirklees Cycling Academy promoted the British Schools Regional Cyclo-Cross Championships at Spen Valley Sports College on Sunday. Cyclo-Cross is a winter sport so it was quite appropriate for the weather to be cold & wet which made it extremely tough for the 67 riders that competed.

Local riders were in the thick of the action with Dylan Boyes (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) winning the Under 7 Boys race & Henry Hollyman (Kirklees Cycling Academy) matching that result in the Under 9s. In the Under 9 Girls race Ella Hampson (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) was an impressive 3rd place.

 

The Under 11s race was a hotly contested affair with Pedalsport rider Matt Taylor getting the win closely followed by club mate Jenson Young, Holme Valley Wheeler Jim Brown completed the podium positions in 3rd, Ruby Boyes was 3rd Girl.

Isaac Shepherd (Holme Valley Wheelers) was 3rd in the Under 13s which was dominated by Jamie Ridehalgh who led from start to finish, Felicity Gledhill (Planet X) from Shepley was 1st Girl across the line & Tilly Brown (Holme Valley Wheelers) was 2nd in her first ever Cyclo-Cross race.

Full results on the BSCA Blog

Alastair Wareham’s winning form continued with victory in the Hull City Road Club Team Time Trial on Saturday. Wareham & Team Swift team mates Simon Beldon & Joel Wainman clocked an impressive 47min 45sec for the 25mile course at Beverley beating the 2nd place team, We Love Mountains, by almost 3 minutes.

An impressive turn out of local riders made the trip to a very wet Aintree for the Eddie Soens Memorial Handicap race on Saturday. Over 200 riders set off in 4 groups with the Elite group setting off last. Local youngsters Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT) & Jacob Scott (Planet X) were getting stuck in alongside some of the top british based professional riders including former Team Sky rider Russell Downing who took the sprint ahead of Endura Racing team mates Scott Thwaites & Jonny McEvoy. Former Holme Valley Wheelers Stephen Robinson (3RT) was 48th with Womersley in 51st & Scott in 68th. Robinson’s team mate Danny Stocherro was best placed 4th Category rider in 91st

Former Huddersfield Star Wheeler James Sampson (Node 4 – Giordana Racing) was 5th in the CDNW for Elite, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Cat riders on the Pimbo circuit near Skelmersdale, Lancashire on Sunday. Sampson was part of an 8 man breakaway which broke clear of the bunch with 5 laps to go, his team mate Peter Williams won the race on his own after attacking in the closing stages of the 50 mile race.

Clayton Velo Classic Feb 28th

Richard Hepworth (Cyclepremier Racing Team), from Kirkburton, took a fine victory in the Clayton Velo Spring Classic in Lancashire on Sunday. This event is run as a handicap with the top riders, including Hepworth, setting off last in the Scratch group & having to catch the other riders. Top Junior Chris Lawless (Champion Systems) was leading for most of the race before being swallowed up by the Scratch group. Hepworth sprinted to victory from a group of 8 riders.

The Eddie Soens Handicap Race takes place this Saturday at Aintree near Liverpool. Top Huddersfield riders will be racing including Hepworth, Tom Murray (IG-Sigmasport) & former Batley CC rider Liam Holohan (Team Raleigh). Also featuring are up and coming local Junior riders Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT) & former Holme Valley Wheeler Jacob Scott (Planet X).

Alistair Wareham (Team Swift) kicked off his 2012 time trial season in fine style with a win the Yorkshire Cycling Federation 10 mile event near Selby on Sunday. Wareham clocked 21min 54secs for the distance, Steve Rimmer (Holme Valley Wheelers) was a creditable 20th place in a time of 24min 47sec, club mate Rachael Mellor was first Female rider in a time of 26min 51sec.

Holme Valley Wheeler Lee Brown was 2nd in the Group 4 Devil & 3rd in the 10 mile Scratch events at the First Division Track League at Manchester Velodrome last Friday.

Young riders can still enter on the line for the British Schools Regional Cyclo-Cross Championships at Spen Valley Sports College on Sunday. The racing kicks off at 10am with the Under 7s event.

Huddersfield Star Wheelers Go-Ride coaching for young riders start on Saturday March 10th at Newsome Sports College. Sessions start at 3pm & cost £2 per rider, for more information contact Ivan Boyes on 01484 302846.

Bit of Track Cycling News Feb 21st

Shepley youngster Leon Gledhill (Planet X) dominated group 2 at the Premier Division Track league at Manchester Velodrome last Tuesday. Gledhill won 3 out of 4 races on the night taking victory in the 50 lap Points, the Devil & the 10 Mile Scratch race.

In the First Division on Friday it was a great night of racing for the local riders in Group 3. Holme Valley Wheeler Lee Brown had 2 wins in the Devil & 1km Scratch race. Ivan Boyes (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) & former Kirklees Cycling Academy rider Josh Cutler (RST Racing Team-Trigon) were also in the results, Boyes best result was 2nd in the 20 Lap Points race & Cutler was 2nd in the 1km Scratch. Boyes & Brown have been promoted to Group 4 for this Friday’s event.

Photo courtesy of Matt Peacock

Harry Hardcastle (Kirklees Cycling Academy) won the 9 lap Youth Handicap Points race at the ACT Track League on Monday night ahead of former club mate Tyras Waterman (Wakefield Tri).

Star Wheelers Prize Presentation Evening Feb 14th

Huddersfield Star Wheelers held their Prize Presentation Evening on Saturday at Bradley Park Golf Club.  Over 75 members & guests were entertained by Guest Of Honour Richard Chapman before the prizes were awarded.  Big winner on the night was Mark Thaxter who took a clean sweep of the Time Trial trophies.

Graham Piccavey picked up 2 trophies, Veteran & Cyclo-Cross, and was in good form in the recent “Hit the North”.  This event takes place in Philips Park, Manchester & competitors can ride any kind of bike.  Piccavey, choosing to compete on a Cyclo-Cross bike, was 46th out of 235 finishers, club mate Peter Dukes was 84th, the race was won by Ian Taylor (Craven Energy).  First place in the Youth race was Billy Harding (Paul Milnes RT), Joe Williams (Holme Valley Wheelers) was an impressive 4th place in the Under 14 Boys category.

Kirklees Cycling Academy are promoting the British Schools Regional Cyclo-Cross Championships at Spen Valley Sports College on Sunday March 4th.  Advanced entries close on February 26th, for more information ring Emily Tidmarsh on 01484 302846.

Former KCA rider Josh Cutler (RST Racing Team) won the Unknown Distance race at the Friday Night Track League at  Manchester Velodrome last week.

In the ACT Track League, last Monday night, KCA riders were to the fore with Harry Hardcastle in 2nd place in the 8 Lap Youth Handicap race & the Hollyman brothers, Mason & Henry, were part of the winning team in the Italian Pursuit race.

National Madison Champs Jan 28th 2012

Sigma Sport Specialized rider Tom Murray teamed up with Sky Pro Cycling rider Alex Dowsett to win the Silver medal in the National Madison Championships at Manchester Velodrome last Saturday.  In this event one rider races round the track while their team mate rests, then they relay each other into the race with a hand sling. Every 10 laps there is a sprint for points but teams can also gain laps on each other.  Only 3 teams were on the same lap by the end of the 50km race so it went down to points scored with the 100% Me team of Mark Christian & Simon Yates winning with 31 points, Murray & Dowsett scored 23 points & George Atkins & Owain Doull (100% Me) in 3rd with 9 points.

 

Mirfield youngster Jake Womersley (Sportscover RT) teamed up with Ollie Wood & matched Murray’s result in the Youth Madison Championships.  The 60 lap race was won by James Shaw & Fabio Close.

 

Abby Mae Parkinson (RST Racing Team-Trigon) teamed up with Melissa Lowther (Aire Valley RT) to take 3rd place in the Girls event.

 

 

The Chep UK team won the Future Stars competition in the Revolution track series on Saturday night at Manchester Velodrome.  This team is filled with the best young riders from Yorkshire, including several from Huddersfield, including Womersley, Parkinson & former Holme Valley Wheeler Jacob Scott (Planet X).  Scott had a great evening’s racing taking the win in the 5km Scratch & 3rd in the Points race.

 

 

Huddersfield Star Wheeler Ivan Boyes braved the snow over the Pennines to travel to Manchester for the First Division Track League last Friday.  Boyes best result was a win in the group 4 Points race.

UCI Masters Cyclo-Cross Champs

 

There’s not many local cycling clubs that can boast a World Champion as a member but Condor Road Club rider John Ginley acheived this feat at the recent UCI World Masters Cyclo-Cross Championships in Louisville, Kentucky.  Ginley won the Over 70s category from fellow Brit Mick Ives (Team Jewson) but his race was not without incident as his tubular tyre rolled off his wheel rim on the penultimate lap & had to swap onto an unfamiliar spare bike for the last lap.

 

Read more about John's exploits on the British Cycling website

 

 

Gabz Cullaigh won the 50 lap points race at last Tuesday’s Premier Track League at Manchester Velodrome.  The RST Racing Team rider also got 3rd in the 64 lap Scratch race & 4th in the Devil Race in Group 2.  Top Huddersfield Pro rider Tom Murray (Sigmasport Specialized) was riding in Group 1 & his best results were 2nd in the 40 lap Scratch race, 3rd in the 64 lap Scratch race & 4th in the 50 lap Points race.  Murray & Alex Dowsett (Team Sky) are one of the favourites for this Saturday’s National Madison Championships at Manchester. 

 

 

Former Kirklees Cycling Academy rider Josh Cutler (RST Racing Team-Trigon) had an eventful evening track racing at Manchester in the First Division last Friday.  Cutler won the 12 lap Scratch race in Group 3 before crashing heavily in the next event, despite this he bravely fixed his bike, got patched up by the first aiders & went on to win the 20 lap Scratch race & will be racing in Group 4 this Friday.

 

 

Huddersfield Star Wheelers Club Dinner & Trophy Presentation Evening will be held on Saturday February 11th at Bradley Park Golf Club.  Tickets cost £18 & are available from Try Cycling in Kirkburton or from Club President Paul Smith 07739 879221.

National Trophy Shrewsbury Jan 15th

Very brief report this week as I'm too busy messing about on water slides at Centre Parcs:-)

 

 

Newly crowned National Cyclo-Cross Champions Louise Robinson (Stourbridge CC) & Abby Mae Parkinson (RST Racing Team-Trigon) continued their good form in the last round of the National Trophy Series at Shrewsbury on Sunday.  Robinson was a clear winner in the Women’s race with a massive lead of 1 min 21 seconds over her club mate Isla Rowntree & would surely have finished higher up the overall series standings had she started her racing comeback earlier & ridden the first 3 rounds.  Parkinson’s win was her second of the series & she finished 4th overall, one place ahead of Holme Valley Wheeler Amira Mellor who was 6th on Sunday.

 

Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT) has had a promising first season in the Junior ranks, he finished 7th place & 7th place overall & is sure to be higher up the rankings next year.

 

Full report on the British Cycling Site

 

 

Holme Valley Wheeler John Hick won the Veterans race at the Ilkley Go-Cross on Sunday, Graham Piccavey (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) had one of his best results of the season finishing in 14th place.  Luca Longo (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) won the Under 8s race.

 

Full results on the YCCA site

National Cyclo-Cross Champs 2011/12

Huddersfield riders were on the top step of the podium at the National Cyclo-Cross Championships in Ipswich last weekend.  Abby-Mae Parkinson (RST Racing Team-Trigon) won the Under 16 Girl's race & Louise Robinson (Stourbridge CC) won the Veteran Women's race.

Parkinson was out in front from the beginning of her event with team mate Grace Garner, on the 2nd lap she broke clear & finished the race with a comfortable lead of 45 seconds from Garner in 2nd & Jessica Wilkinson (Birkenhead North End CC) in 3rd.  Holme Valley Wheeler Amira Mellor finished in 6th place.

Robinson, orginally from Mirfield, finished an impressive 5th place overall in the Womens race to take the Veterans prize with club mate Isla Rowntree was 2nd in this category.  This result is particularily noteworthy as Robinson has only come back to the sport relatively recently following her win in the 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross race in September.

Also in action was Robinson's nephew Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT) riding in a highly competitive Junior race.  Womersley was in a 3 way battle for the Bronze Medal with Joe Moses (Paul Milnes RT) & Tom Armstrong (Wheelbase.co.uk/Cannondale), unluckily Womersley pulled his foot out of his pedal & lost out to Moses & Armstrong in the sprint finish to get 5th place, still a brilliant result as he will still has another crack at the National title next year at Bradford before he moves up to the Senior ranks.  National Champion of 2010 Hugo Robinson (X RT/Elmy Cycles) retained his title with Alex Welburn (Cycle Shack/Forme Coaching) in 2nd place.

See full report on British Cycling website

The previous Monday the last Yorkshire Points Cyclo-Cross event took place at a water logged Centre Vale Park in Todmorden.  In the Under 16 Girls race Amira Mellor showed great form in winning ahead of Abby-Mae Parkinson on a very tough course which had several extremely muddy sections where riding was impossible & a steep cobbled climb.

Kirklees Cycling Academy riders Henry Hollyman & Adam Fortune were 1st & 3rd Boy in the Under 10s race.  Luca Longo (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) was 2nd in the Under 8s with Nathan Fortune (Kirklees Cycling Academy) in 3rd.

John Hick (Holme Valley Wheelers) was 8th in the Veterans race which was won by Chris Young (Wheelbase.co.uk/Cannondale), Young took the overall series win from his brother Mike in 2nd place.

Jake Womersley was the highest placed Huddersfield rider in the Senior/Junior race in 8th place & 3rd placed Junior.  Jack Clarkson (Hope Factory Racing) from Halifax dominated the race winning by over 2 minutes from Lewis Craven (Wheelbase.co.uk/Cannondale).

See report on BC site including some great photos of extremely muddy riders.

Former Holme Valley Wheelers Jacob Scott (Planet X) & Gabriel Cullaigh (RST Racing Team-Trigon) were in the thick of the action at Saturday's Revolution Track event at Manchester Velodrome, both Scott & Cullaigh were riding for the Chep UK team for the evening.  Scott's best result of the night was 3rd in the Elimination race which was won by Jake Ragan (Max Gear Racing).  In the 20 lap points race Chris Lawless (Max Gear Racing) & James Owen (Howies) broke clear of the bunch, Cullaigh bravely bridged the gap from the bunch to join the leaders & won enough points in the sprints to take a well deserved 3rd place.  Lawless, who is current National Circuit Race Champion, took the win.

Highlights of this event are on ITV 4 tonight at 7pm.