Mercia Report 01-11-2015

Sixteen year old Alfie Jollands, from Netherseal, finished in 188th place overall out of an entry of 250 riders in the National Hill Climb Championships held at Jackson’s Bridge near Holmfirth. The climb was just under a mile. As a junior, Alfie was in the 18 years old and younger class of 53 riders. Alfie finished in 44th place in a time of 6 minutes 15 .7 seconds which was good considering he was one of the younger riders. The fastest in this class was Kieron Savage (Yorkshire Road Club) in 4 minutes 28.8 seconds to finish in 10th place overall. The overall winner was Richard Bussell (RST Sport / Aero-Coach) in 4 mins 15.8 seconds. Bussell also won the National 10 Mile Time Trial Championship in August.

In Round 2 of the National Trophy Cyclo Cross Series held at Moorways in Derby, Joshua Waters (Sherwood Pines Cycle Centre SRAM R. T.) had a slow start in the Junior race on one of his favourite courses. He worked his way through the very competitive field and by lap 2 was finding some real form and his lap times were as good as the leading riders. He regained a lot of places and finished in 9th place. The winner was Thomas Pidcock (Oldfield/Paul Milnes Cycles ERT) from Bradford. 39 riders finished the race. In the over 50’s race Peter Turner (Derby Mercury R C) finished in 36th place out of 57 finishers The winner was Chris Young (Pedal Sport Cycling Club).

Due to the heavy rain only 3 riders turned up to compete in the Mercia Hill Climb Championship on Marchington Woodroffe’s 530yards hill and the following Free-wheeling contest. The Hill climb results were Sean Sleigh 1 minute 22 seconds, Nigel Finch 1 minute 36 seconds and Owen Heath 1 minute 40 seconds. Sean wins The Senior Trophy and Owen the Juvenile Trophy. In the following Free-wheeling the positions were the same as the hill climb, except Sean wins the Anniversary Trophy with first place in both events.