Mercia Report 22-03-09

In the first of a series of three race meetings at Darley Moor Sports Centre near Ashbourne, organised by Ashfield Road Club, seven Mercia HBM riders competed in races for all age categories. Starting with the younger riders aged 16 & under, who all raced over a distance of 9 miles, Elliott Bailey finished 3rd in the under 8's race (nine miles was a bit too far for riders aged 8 & under). Harry Morley ( Matlock CC ) was the winner. In the under 10's race Bailey Waters rode well to finish 2nd. His main competitor in previous cyclo cross races Scott Hookaway (Sherwood CC) was the winner. It was a similar storey in the under 12's with the (barring accidents) unbeatable Arthur Green ( Matlock CC) winning. Joshua Waters was 6th a good result considering the leading four were all a year older.

Four riders from the Mercia HBM also rode in the Senior race for category 3 & 4 riders over 30 miles. The best placed was Simon Parker just behind the top fifteen. Phil Machin, Keith Staley & Justin Waters finished at 1 lap down. The winner was Clive Lockwood (Derby Mercury). Plan B's Kevin Potter was placed 12th.

The Mercia HBM evening Roller Racing competition was won by new member Andrew Wendle. It was a close run final time trial against Keiron Patterson with Andrew finishing in 11 seconds over the 250 metres to Keiron's 11.8 seconds. These two riders eliminated Nick Marriott, Derrick Baker & Peter Rose in the earlier heats.