Cyclists and spectators gather in the hundreds at Huddersfield New College for the second race in the Rapha Super Cross Series (and Round 5 of the Yorkshire Cyclo Cross Association Winter Series). Event organiser Andy Whitworth had not only set a fantastic course, ensuring fast, action packed racing but also ensured there was plenty of food, and more importantly drink, at hand for the huge number of riders and spectators – he even manage to wrangle a warm and sunny day for the event.
Riders for the junior events had the worst of the weather with the early morning mist and rain, but this soon cleared giving way to glorious sunshine for the rest of the day.
First to take the start line were the Youth riders. Right from the start it was a two horse race at the front, the winner being decided on the last corner. Seb Marsh (Paul Milnes Cycles) was first into it and out sprinted David Barnes (Condor Cyles) to take the win. In the Youth girl’s race, Abby Mae Parkinson (RST Trigon) set the early pace, before Amira Mellor (Holme Valley Wheelers) took the lead and never looked back.
Youth Results
1 Seb Marsh (Paul Milnes-Bradford Olympic RT)
2 David Barnes (Condor)
3 Alfie Moses (Bronte Wheelers)
4 Jamie Ridehalgh (Aire Valley RT)
5 Ben Wait
Girls: Amira Mellor
With races for Under 8’s, 10’s and 12’s on offer, there was a bumper turn out. These races cater for riders of all abilities, with a star or two of the future in for good measure.
Under-12s
1 Jenson Young (Pedalsport CC)
2 Mason Holliman
3 Ewan Cameron
4 Matthew Taylor
5 Jack Doddington
Girls: Jessica Manning.
Under-8s
1 Nathan Fortune
2 Luca Longo
3 Alex Bailey
4 Tom Scott
5 Ellie Armstrong
On to the senior events and the Vets and Women were first off. Pedalsport’s Mike Young led the field on the first lap, with Richard Binks (Holme Valley Wheelers) and Dan Cook (Planet X) on his wheel. As Young pushed on at the front, he was soon joined by Matt Denby (Zepnat Racing Team) and the two pulled clear, with Denby showing his strength.
With 3 laps to go Denby pushed ahead alone to finish 30 seconds clear of Young, with Binks finishing third. In the Ladies Annie Simpson (Horizon Fitness), better know for her road racing exploits, was a comfortable winner. Delia Beddis (Vicious Velo) took second, with Claire Beaumont (Rapha Condor) getting the better of teammate Emily Barnes in the sprint for third.
Veterans
1 Matt Denby (Zepnat RT)
2 Mike Young (Pedalsport CC) @ 30sec
3 Richard Binks (Holme Valley Wheelers)
4 Dan Cook (Planet X)
5 Chris Taylor (Pedalsport CC)
Women
1 Annabel Simpson (Horizon Fitness)
2 Delia Beddis (Vicious Velo)
3 Claire Beaumont (Rapha Condor)
4 Emily Barnes (Rapha Condor)
5 Nikola Butler (Pedalsport CC)
In the Senior/Junior race, four riders quickly broke clear. Juniors Ed McParland (GT Racing) and Nick Barnes (Zepnat Racing Team) were joined at the front by James Thompson (Boneshakers) and Dieter Droger (Team Cystic Fibrosis). Thompson was the first to be dropped, the remaining three pushed on with Droger setting much on the pace, until the penultimate lap when Droger disappear (having rolled a tub) leaving the two juniors to fight it out at the front. McParland was first into the last corner and took the win by a length, with Tom Stockhill (Malton Wheelers) third.
Seniors & Juniors
1 Ed McParland (GT Racing UK)
2 Nick Barnes (Zepnat RT) @ same time
3 Tom Stockhill (Malton Wheelers) at 8sec
4 Jonny Limebear (Aire Valley RT) @ 12sec
5 Paul Young (Wheelbase)
Onto the feature “Rapha Super Cross” event and the crowds had swelled, 2 or 3 deep in places, very merry (thanks to the Duvel beer tent) and not to mention noisy thanks to the hundreds of cow bells. With riders having raced the previous day at Windermere in round one, tired legs would no doubt affect many on such a fast course.
The two leaders worked well together for the rest of the race, with Crawford taking the win in a sprint finish. Steve James (Hargroves Cycles) took third place and first Under 23, with Williams fourth and Sigma Sport-Specialized’s Stephen Adams fifth. Hope Technology took the team honours on the day, with Scott UK second and Hargroves third.
Rapha Super Cross Results
1 Jody Crawforth (Hargroves-Specialized-Trant-Next)
2 Paul Oldham (Hope Technology)
3 Steve James (Hargroves-Specialized-Trant-Next)
4 Lee Williams (Wiggle)
5 Stephen Adams (Sigma Sport-Specialized)