Event: Hempton Resurrected Cross   Add this to my calendar (Outlook etc.)

Date: Sunday, 30 November 2008

Promoter: Paul Harris

Contact: Paul Harris 01328 851380

Location: Hempton Common, Nr Fakenham, Norfolk (on A1065). Click here for a map. Click the grey arrows at the bottom right of the map to see a detailed version.

Photos: www.mphotography.co.uk

Report: Who would have guessed that the resurrection would be so cold? It was a bleak day in Norfolk, with icy rain and a biting wind all day. Congratulations are due to the team who laid out the course so early, marshalled in evil conditions for many hours and then took down the course in the fast-fading light. At least there was some top vegetable soup to warm them through once the work was done.

Now on to the racing… In the Youths we were treated to yet another master-class by Hugo Robinson (Ipswich BC) as he saved half the field from doing a 4th lap. For the girls, we welcomed Hannah Barnes (Pinarello RT) who got an excellent 2nd place overall, successfully keeping ahead of Lewis Parker (Ipswich BC) who managed a very creditable 3rd place. In the battle of the Madgwicks (both of Lee Valley Youth CC), Matthew managed to edge ahead of brother James in lap 2, and increased his lead in their final lap.

In the Under 12s James Jackson (Colchester Rovers) is making a habit of romping home in 1st place with a big smile. He was definitely enjoying the fearsome descents. Sophie Holmes (Diss & District CC) seemed pretty happy with 2nd place, and is still top of the U12 League. Rowan Baker was the 1st Under 8 home. Others fared less well: Henrietta Colbourne (Fat Birds) paid us a very welcome visit from her new home in the Far North. She came rather unstuck in a tumble which resulted in a boshed brake, making the remainder of the race a bit too exciting. But our Henrietta is made of strong stuff: she got some clean dry clothes (mainly belonging to Race Promoter, Paul Harris) and came out to do bell-ringing and flag-waving duties in the Veterans & Ladies race, and then she was the calling judge in the Senior race. Later in the afternoon she was seen stacking chairs, cleaning tables and sweeping the floor. I bet you slept well on Sunday night, Henrietta. Did you wake up for school on Monday? As you know, you are always welcome at Eastern League races, whenever you can make the long journey South – just don’t bring the weather with you next time! Well done to all the Under 12s: you all managed to complete the race in pretty miserable conditions – which is more than several of the seniors managed.

In the Vets/Ladies race Gavin Rumbles (CC Luton) had to make do with 2nd place as Mick Bell (London Fire Brigade) ventured East. Mick took the lead in lap 2 and stole the show. The usual suspects: Clive Ling (Diss & District CC), Julian Parker (Ipswich BC) and Clive Harrison (Ford CC) made up the rest of the top 5. Rachel Moss (Ford CC) moved to the top of the Women’s league with her 7th league win of the season. Geoff Bores (Ford CC) grabbed the 50+ prize ahead of Bruce Robinson (Shaftsbury CC). Chris Gooch (Amis Velo RT) bagged the 60+ prize, finishing the race in the top half of the field. Brian Foster had more sense and stayed fully wrapped up in the judging tent, as calling judge. I claim this to be the largest age range in novice calling judges in a cyclo-cross meeting – Henrietta is 10 and Brian can reveal his own age as he sees fit, but he remembers old money and when Mars Bars were THIS big. Neither has called numbers before and they both did sterling jobs.

On to the Junior/Senior race. By this time the marshals had built igloos and were fishing through the ice for supplies. Ben Roach (Wyre Forest) made fast work of 7 laps in 51:23. Ben made himself very popular with the judges by quickly wiping his number clear of mud as he approached the line. (Hint hint to everyone) Phil Cooper (Blue Sky Cycles) got his head down for a good 2nd place. Ian Newby (Diss and District CC) and Andrew Nichols (Cambridge Uni) sneaked past Shaun Aldous (Lotto Olympia Team Interbike) when he stopped to put on his jacket and gloves. Back in the village hall, Shaun was seen with a slice of cake jumping on his plate due to shivering. A great performance by Matthew Cook (Mildenhall CC) gave him 1st Junior, coming home just after Shaun. There was plenty of suffering, mainly due to the horrendous conditions. Of course there are some special mentions. Tom Castle (Ipswich BC) achieved a spectacular head plant to emerge in his new role as Creature from the Brown Lagoon. Kerrick Newstead (Ipswich BC) will remember his 21st birthday for being so cold that he decided to call it a day during the final lap. Luke Newby (Diss & District CC) was severely underdressed in just a skinsuit, and canned it after 3 laps. Jamie Websdale did a fantastic job, finishing his first cyclo-cross race. He wore combats that, by the end of the race, must have weighed as much as his mountain bike. Jamie’s mate, Kyle Money, had to retire with a puncture at the end of his 3rd lap. Lads: if you’re reading this – these aren’t the usual cyclo-cross conditions. The weather was extreme and you did well to give it a go.

Do check out the photos at www.mphotography.co.uk. Now you’re all clean, warm and dry the pictures are pretty funny.

Results:

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