Mercia Report 01-11-09

David Clarke (Pendragon Kalas) finished in 6th place in the National Hill Climb Championship held on the 1,000yds Pea Royal Lane in Stocksbridge near Sheffield. David's time was 3 minutes 43.4 seconds. The winner was his training partner Dan Fleeman (Cervelo Test Team) from Yoxall who finished 25.6 seconds faster than Clarke in 3 17.8. In second place was Matt Clinton (Mike Vaughan Cycles), last years champion, in 3 31.6 & third was a former champion, riding his last hill climb championship, Jim Henderson (Southport RC) in 3 39.5. 150 riders entered the championship.

Round 6 of the Notts & Derby Cyclo Cross League was held at Bramcote Park Nottingham & organised by Beeston Road Club. The first race was for the under 10's. Seven year old Elliot Waters got a good start & finished 7th. His highest placing so far this season. There were 34 finishers. The winner was John Webster (Matlock CC).

In the under 12's race Joshua Waters battled hard to finish 4th, his brother Bailey was 6th William Gascoyne (Heanor Clarion) was the best of the 15 finishers. The Senior race went over 3 steep hills with the boys' father Justin finishing 87th beating some of his usual competitors. Grandfather Adrian was 109th, the last of the finishers. He was pleased to finish the race though considering he fell off twice & got stung by a wasp. The winner was another Matlock CC rider Chris Metcalf.