Mercia Report 20-12-2015

Joshua Waters ( Sherwood Pines Cycles SRAM RT) has had mixed fortunes in this years Cyclo Cross season going back to round 7 of the Notts & Derby League held at Holme Pierrepoint Water sports Centre in Nottinghamshire. Joshua did well to finish in 5th place in the Junior race despite a heavy cold. The winner was Calum Fernie (Nottingham Clarion CC) .

The next race was round 4 of the National Trophy Series Cyclo Cross held at Trinity Park, Showground at Ipswich. Joshua had a disappointing race on a fast course. He started well, but went slowly back through the field, until the last 2 laps when he found his legs again and worked back to finish, for him, a lowly 17th place. His last lap was was the second fastest in the whole race, his coaches think it is all down to too much sugar before the race. The winner was Thomas Pidcock (VCUK PH-MAS Junior Cycle Team).

Joshua’s next race was round 5 of the National Cyclo Trophy at Peel, Bradford. Notorious for being a muddy venue on a hilly course, and this year was no exception. The recent heavy rain reduced the course to a quagmire and stamina was the order of the day. Jet washers were much in evidence and with the riders having a change of bike every half a lap, the pit area was a seething mass of activity and mud. After recent disappointing results. Joshua was hoping that changes to his race day diet would pay dividends. After a strong start he settled into a bunch of riders in 7/8th place for two laps. He then started to put in sustained effort & looked strong to the end to take well deserved 4th place, taking quite a few ‘scalps’ in the process. His best National Trophy result this year. The winner was Tom Pidcock of VCUK PH-MAS Junior Cycle Team. From Leeds, who has won the Junior National Series.