This Sunday saw Round 8 of the Eastern CX league double up as the Eastern Regional championship. The race was held at Trinity Park, and used the course that will host the World Masters Cyclocross Championship next weekend. It had all the features you’d expect of a World Champ standard course – two large bridges, a very long sandpit (even for the Under 12 riders!) and slippery conditions owing to the steady drizzle.
First Wheeler in action was Sam Brook in the Youth race, who finished in 13th and needed a bike change ahead of the last lap owing to a complete lack of functioning brakes. That apparently made the descents from the bridges “a bit sketchy”.
In the men’s Vet50 race, Peter Golding got boxed in on the early parts of the course to finish 23rd, Karl Hale finished 50th, Nick Rush in 73rd and Paul Watson rode well to 12th overall and 2nd Vet60.
In the men’s Vet40, Matt Denny made a welcome return to cross, and after dodging a few crashes had a great ride to finish 21st. Simon Christie wasn’t far behind, relishing the slippery conditions to finish 24th, and Stephen Brook had a rear flat (again) but finished well down in 43rd after running to the pits for a spare bike.
Laura Prime was the first Wheeler home in the women’s race, finishing 7th, with Megan Free in 13th and Nicki Davis in 16th. Laura and Megan were ready for the mud, having ridden similar conditions at Hog Hill in a London League race the previous weekend.
Anthony Ashford made another appearance on the CX field this season, finishing well in 38th, with Harley Gregory finishing 15th overall and 3rd Junior, having had to change bikes owing to a very wobbly crank!
The Eastern CX league now takes a break until the New Year, with the next fixture the Iceni Velo Cross at Snetterton on 8 January 2023. Several Wheelers will be in action at the World Masters Championships back at Trinity Park next weekend.
Pictures of today’s racing to follow