The second Eastern CX League race in November is traditionally hosted by Diss CC, but this year we moved away from Redgrave community centre to the new surroundings of the Norfolk Tank Museum – and the cyclocross course made full use of the tracks used to test their collection of armoured vehicles. Hence there was mud – lots of it!
The course was short and twisty with some slippery mounds to ascend on each lap – in both the U10 and U12 races, the marshals had to lend a helping hand to keep the youngsters heading in the right direction.
Erin Stewart was the first Wheeler in action, finishing 3rd U12 Girl. In the Youth race, Ella Stewart finished 1st U14 Girl, Isabel Moore finished 3rd Youth Girl and Sam Brook finished 7th overall.
In the Vet50 Men’s race, Nick Rush (56th) managed to stay ahead of Karl Hale (59th), with Peter Golding finishing in 27th after a flat tyre. Paul Watson rode in typically smooth fashion to finish 9th overall and 2nd Vet60. It was attritional race with 10 riders failing to finish.
Simon Christie loves the tight & twisty tracks and rode well to stay clear of Steve King of Stowmarket, finishing 28th. Stephen Brook got caught in traffic on a couple of the mounds, regretted not wearing studs having slithered back the bottom, and later retired with a flat rear tyre.
The Women’s race saw Katy Simcock leading the field in her new European Champion’s jersey, earned last week in Namur, ahead of 2nd place Elvita Branch. WSW were represented by Nicki Davis (17th), Megan Free (18th) and Laura Prime – who rode a composed race to finish 3rd overall and 3rd Senior Woman.
In the Senior & Junior Men’s race, Harley Gregory of WSW finished 3rd Junior (14th overall), with the win going to James Madgwick after long-time leader Callum Laborde had a mechanical.