Mercia Report 04-10-2015

Sean Sleigh has certainly been getting plenty of racing in recently. Starting with the Barnsley R. C. 10 mile time trial held at Ranby. Tough conditions meant a head wind on the return leg. Sean’s finishing time was 21 51. The winner was Dan Barnett (drag2zero.com) in 19 20. The next race was at the Winter Track League in the A Group at the Derby Velodrome with a 4th place in the points race. Then 2nd to Professional rider Alex Minting (Neon Valley Cycling Team) in the scratch race. Following on with an evening hill climb at Hardwick Hall promoted by Bolsover & District Cycling Club (The event is the only night time hill climb in the country run under flood lights with a fantastic crowd lining the course). There was an entry of 76 riders. Sean finished joint 25th with Luke Allen (Sheffrec C C) in 1 minute 41 seconds. The fastest was Pedal Pushers C C’s Peter Crocker from Grantham in 1 minute 24 seconds. Sean rode round 2 of the Derby Track League finishing 4th in elimination race and 4th in the points race, in which Sam Lowe (Team Raleigh GAC) also competed. Finally, Sean did a personal best in the Rockingham C. C. 10 mile time trial on the Ranby course in 20 38 to finish in 10th place. The winner was Alexander Royle (Army Cycling Union) timing 19 01.

Joshua Waters latest Cyclo Cross was the Notts & Derby League event promoted by Cycle Derby at Markeaton Park. In the Junior race a fast course saw some good racing with Joshua going into an early lead chasing the under 23’s and the Senior men, He was closely tracked by Simeon Young (Pedal Sport Cycling Club) who seemed determined to give Joshua a hard race. The lead changed constantly until, with 2 laps to go, Joshua put the pressure on to gain a good lead which he maintained to the end for another good win. He also managed to catch most of the Seniors to finish in 7th place overall.

Lauren Sleigh, now a member of Lichfield City C C – Zipfit, took part in the Junior Ladies race. She put in a very determined effort to produce by far her best cyclo cross race to finish in 3rd place. The winner was Sophia Chastell (M D Cycles).

In the Veterans over 55 race, Pascal Arnoux (Cadence Sport) took 2nd place to the winner Ian Watts (Cotswold Veldrijden C C).

Adrian Waters was pleased with his race in the over 65’s to finish in 3rd place. He overtook several riders and even lapped one individual. The winner was the very quick Graham Whiting (Bolsover & District C C).

Mercia’s James Allan and Phil Machin both raced in the West Midlands Cyclo Cross League event round 3 at the Heart of England Centre at Fillongly. James raced in the Senior event to finish in 41st place out of 52 starters, the winner was Dan Fleeman (Sport Grub KUOTA Cycling Team). Phil Machin finished in 45th place in the Veteran Men 40 to 49 with field of 77 starters. Stephan Knight (Team Jewson – M.I. Racing- Polypipe) won this one.