Event: Brickwall Farm Cross   Add this to my calendar (Outlook etc.)

Date: Sunday, 11 September 2005

Promoter: Team Clean

Contact: Chris Gooch 01473 311955 goochiec@btinternet.com

Location: Brickwall Farm, Sible Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3RH. Click here for a map. Click the grey arrows at the bottom right of the map to see a detailed version.

Report: Cyclo-cross season is here – it’s easy to spot: rain. We were greeted by the feather legged Brickwall Farm chickens. And what a splendid turnout we had today: 16 youths, 22 under-12’s and 77 adults. These high numbers were partly due to several London league riders taking advantage of a pre-season race - and very welcome they were too. On with the action…

The youths race had league regulars, some new faces and a few moving up from the under 12's. Oliver Rossi had been a tremendous help setting up the course and helping people out. Unfortunately his race ended in a patch of stinging nettles and he had to retire - his first ever DNF. Later he was seen, fully recovered, helping to dismantle the course at the end of the day. So he has assured his place in heaven, but not yet in the league rankings. Michael Butler showed his capabilities with an easy win over Robert O'Laughlin. Robert had an early tussle with Carl Harris, but managed to shake him off on the third lap. Samantha Bryant pressed ahead with a spirited ride to finish 1st girl. Matthew Cook and Luke Newby had their usual battle. Matty stayed ahead for most of the race, but it's the final lap that counts and Luke crossed the line first.

The under 12's had a gridded start for the first time, with the oldest in the front. Safety is paramount at these events, and the last thing we need is a pile up on the first corner. Thanks to Dave Young for ensuring that Hugo Robinson, as last year's league winner, was placed in the front row, even though he's still only 10. The course was short and furious. Daniel Young and Hugo went head to head all the way. Unfortunately, in the last lap they went wheel to leg in a mistimed overtaking manoeuvre. Hugo took a nasty tumble but managed to get himself across the line in 2nd place. Well done Serena Butler for holding off constant pressure from Joshua Parkin. She took a strong 3rd place overall, 1st girl. The judges were delighted to see so many smiling younger faces as they completed their first race. They were not so happy to hear bad language from one of the riders. For the record, this will not be tolerated at any level of racing.

There were a myriad of sub-races in the main race: there was the sharp end, the juniors, the ladies, the fast vets, the under 12's dads, the reliable vets and the scorers. Keeping up with 77 riders for 10 laps was a baptism of fire for the start of the season - phew! The judges were impressed that all the riders appreciated the uphill finish. So here goes...

Carl Davey led the way with Shaun Aldous in hot pursuit. Shaun didn't have the oomph to stay up there with the leader, and eventually had to settle for 3rd place when Carl Thompson snuck past on lap 8 and managed to hold on until the bitter end. Mick Bell put in his usual class performance to come in 4th overall and 1st vet - a lap ahead of the rest of his category. I bet the Eastern League vets are pleased he's just visiting from London. Sorry Mick, no league points for you.

As for the other vet places, Mark Farrow screeched to a halt in front of the line as he realised that Carl Davey was a second behind him and about to take the win. Carl's bike skills shone through as he narrowly avoided crashing into Mark. That could have been a costly start to the season, all for avoiding a final lap. In the Best of the Rest vets Julian Parker and Craig Stevens zoomed ahead of the chasing group: Dave Copland, Geoff Bores and Donald MacGregor. Dave thought he was having a bad day at the office, recovering from 2nd place overall at the Clacton Off-Road Triathlon the day before. But then Julian and Craig paid for their early zeal. And in the final lap burnt-out Julian let Dave pass, mistaking the IBC kit for his son Daniel. What a nice Daddy. We all know that Dave doesn't look his age, but he can always get served in a bar. Julian: get your eyes tested!

Julian did get a win as the best of the under 12's dads. Now, your humble scribe doesn't want to get into trouble with the CSA or be the instigator of a batch of paternity lawsuits, so many apologies if I have assigned the wrong parent to the child. At least I feel confident that Tim Butler has no biological connection with Serena Butler. In second place in this prestigious group was Paul Warner, who meantime safely saw junior Kurt through to the finish. Colin Newstead was in fine form, and generally smiling as he beat Jim Hardwicke. At the friendly end of the race, experience put Paul Barry ahead of Keiron Robinson, Martin Fry and a surprisingly jolly Andrew Arden. He was obviously ecstatic that the season had started. Kieron now knows how hard Hannah, Hugo and Lorna work when they're racing.

There was an excellent 7th place overall and 1st junior for Shaun Hurrell. He was neck and neck with Louis Charity for the first four laps, then Shaun pulled away steadily, increasing his lead with each lap. Louis finished in a very creditable 9th overall, 2nd junior.

Katy Wade showed the rest of the ladies how it's done. She finished a full lap ahead of Sarah Arnold who was 2nd lady. Young Lisa Chapman enjoyed completing the distance of the seniors race - she just wished it could have been longer. Not. Claire Larbey: you were spotted having a rest and adjusting your hairdo.

The judges enjoyed watching Paul Harris sprint up to the finish line with his mechanically challenged bike, hurling himself spectacularly over the line in a dead heat with Kurt Minter. Sorry Paul - Kurt was a lap ahead of you. Full marks for effort though. Delighted Alan Chapman was over a minute ahead of you too.

And finally a note to Lawrence Gibbons: the scorers missed you on lap 6. Did you sit out a lap? Your times have been adjusted to assume you had done this lap. Please contact the webmaster to confirm. Thanks.

Results:

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