Mercia Report 12-10-08

Before embarking on a four stage race in the Cameroons to ride The Eighth Grand Prix Chanal Biya with the German Team Norland Hamburg David Clarke won the 30 mile Blenheim Palace Road Race round the palace's parkland. His race was the third on the day to be held at the palace . The first race was for fold up commuter bikes ( David won one of these as part of his prize for first place). Prior to this race Clarke was fifth in the Peterborough Cycling Club Road Race Held at Sawtry over 65 miles. The winner was Mark Wordsworth (Team Corley Cycles).

Noel Adams finished 23rd out 36 riders in the Buxton Cycling Club Hill Climb held on the 4.5 miles Long Hill between Buxton & Whaley Bridge. Timing 16 minutes 46 seconds. The winner was Chris Myhill ( Peak RC) in 13 53.

Phil Machin & Keith Staley tried their hand at cyclo cross when they finished 21st & 25th respectively out of 30 riders in the West Midlands Cyclo Cross League Round 3 Senior race won by Daniel Booth (Cycling Bargains RT). The Cyclo Cross was held at the Aldersley Leisure Village at Wolverhampton.

Due to the very heavy rain there were only four competitors in the Mercia HBM Hill Climb & Free Wheeling Championship held on Marchington Cliff. The fastest competitor in the hill climb was Sean Sleigh (Plan B) in 2 43. Second was Simon Parker 3 09, Third was Phil Jones 3 10 & Fourth was Neil Sleigh (Plan B) 3 28. In the Free-wheeling the furthest travelled in the following order was First Sean Sleigh, Second Phil Jones, Third Simon Parker & Fourth Neil Sleigh. The Anniversary Trophy for the best on aggregate over the two events will be shared between Simon Parker & Phil Jones as they were 2nd & 3rd respectively in both events. Simon Parker is the new Mercia HBM Hill Climb Champion.