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.