Mercia Report 05-10-08

The second round of the Trigon Bikes West Midlands Cyclo Cross League held at the National Forestry Centre at Rosliston organised by Keith Lee of the Mercia HBM Cycling Club was very successful with 280 riders racing in the different categories. There were 84 veterans,58 under 10,s 50 seniors,40 youths,26 under 12's, 14 ladies & 8 juniors. In the under 10's race Bailey Waters was 4th & his younger brother Elliot was 22nd. Joshua Waters finished 7th in the under 12's race.

In the Seniors Race Justin Waters was 45th out of 50 riders & Richard Knott retired on the last lap with mechanical problems. The winner was Daniel Booth (Cycling Bargains Racing Team). The previous day in the Notts & Derby Cyclo Cross League at Thornbridge Hall near Bakewell Bailey & Elliott Waters finished 4th & 13th respectively in the under 10's race. Joshua Waters finished 10th in the under 12's race.

In the rescheduled BDCA 50 mile time trial (The event was changed on the day to a 25 mile time trial between Etwall & Uttoxeter due to road works at Blyth Bridge) and in good weather conditions Noel Adams timed 57 01, his fastest at 25 miles this year. Peter Rose timed 1 16 24 to beat his age standard by 3 minutes. The winner Barry Charlton (Lyme RC) did a sub 30 mph ride in 49 14. Noel also timed 22 33 in the Central District Ladies Association 10 mile time trial at Long Bennington, the winner was Matt Bottrill(De Rosa RT) in 18 56.

Derby Mercury Road Club held a road race at Hanbury over 53 miles in which Noel Adams also competed for 2nd 3rd & 4th category riders. The race went four times up Draycott Cliff & finished up Hanbury Hill. Noel finished the race but out of the top 15 placings. The race was won by Christian Prior (Onimpex Bio- racer R.T. )