Mercia Report 25-10-2015

In round 2 of the Cyclo Cross World Cup held at Valenburg Aan de Geul in Holland, Joshua Waters was chosen for the Great Britain Team in the Junior Mens race. The course was held on the other side of the famous Cauburg Hill which features strongly in the Amstel Gold road race. Following heavy rain on the previous day the course was very slippery in sections, adding to what is a very technical course with steep up and down elements.

Due to the luck of the draw, Joshua (Sherwood Pines SRAM RT) was 58th of the 68 starters, which dashed any hopes of a top placing. He made an excellent start though and quickly gained 10 places. Unfortunately, on a very slippery down hill section several riders crashed in front of him and brought him down with one of the riders saddles jammed in the spokes of his front wheel. By the time they freed the bikes, the rest of the race were well into the distance. Joshua set off in pursuit to salvage what he could from the race and steady progress with good technical skills he was able to move up to a very respectable 38th place at the finish, overtaking 2 other Great Britain riders in the process. With more luck a top 20 finish was very possible and hopefully the GB selectors will see that way for the next round in a months time in Belgium. The best placed British riders was Daniel Tulett (Specialized Racing) in 16th place. The winner was Belgian rider Jappe Jaspers.

Nigel Finch rode his last hill climb for this season when he finished in 37th place out of an entry of 46 riders on Riber Hill at Matlock in a time of 6 minutes 21.5 seconds. The winner was Joseph Clark (Team Envelope Master Bike box/Alan) from Clay Cross in 3 minutes 21 .6 seconds and is expected to be one of the highly placed riders in National Hill Climb Championships.

David Clarke (Giordana Mitsubishi R T) finished in 8th place in the Bolsolver & District C C Hill Climb held at Palerton near Bolsolver, his time was 3 minutes 53 seconds. Adam Kenway (Sport Grub Kuota Cycling Team) was the winner in 3 minutes 17 seconds. 34 riders contested the hill climb. David was selected to ride the National Hill Climb Championship at Jackson Bridge near Holmfirth, but unfortunately he has broken a bone in is foot when running in a half marathon, so he will be a non starter. Mercia’s Junior member Alfie Jollands has been selected to ride competing against 46 other Juniors The total number of riders competing is 241 plus 10 reserves.