Report – LoveCrossed at Chavenage

2014_July_Hargroves_Banner

Chavenage Challenges hosted their first Cyclocross race, LoveCrossed, last weekend, on 14th February

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Report – LoveCrossed at Chavenage

EVENT REPORT
Chavenage Challenges hosted their first Cyclocross race, LoveCrossed, last weekend, on 14th February. The Valentine’s Day event was supported by distributer Saddleback, with a great course carefully designed by Saddleback’s Scot Easter, with help from Tangwyn Andrews, James Whiting and NFTO rider James Lowsley-Williams (Hank).

The races started in a field overlooked by Chavenage House, a beautiful Elizabethan Manor House, with crowds lining the gardens of the House. Starting with a hard field section, to warm the riders up, the course wound through the picturesque fields surrounding the house before hitting a few muddy sections leading into the pits.

LovedCrossed1

The course then followed a tarmac road running up through the finish area and under a picturesque tunnel, before entering the hospitality area, where there was a great atmosphere and the crowds were enjoying the great coffees from Veloton’s (Tetbury) coffee van, the constant flow of beer and drinks from the Big Red Bus Bar, and delicious, freshly-made pizzas and pastries from an onsite wood-fired oven.

The course then took riders to the gravel section in front of the stunning manor house, before entering the tight and twisty woodland sections, which tested the riders’ skill and agility.

This woodland single track lead the riders back out into the field in front of the house where the course led them through a series of switchbacks, before the riders had to battle their way in and out of the Ha Ha’s, a section which, later in the day, required most riders to dismount and run, much to the delight of the lines of spectators who were eagerly cheering each and every rider on. The Ha Ha’s completed the exciting and challenging LoveCrossed lap.

Phil Taylor, from Bespoked bike show, brought builders Toad, Libertine and Ted James Design along to the race, along with some fine cx bikes, which they raced too! The Event was commentated by Vin Cox, who kept the crowd entertained throughout the day!

The first race of the day was the Under 14 Girls and Boys, who raced on a shortened course, which kept the racing very exciting. The Under 14 girls’ race was won by Ella Shaftoe, with Jay Allen winning the Under 14 boys, riding a great race.

Race 2 was the COUPLES RELAY, where, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Cyclocross-loving couples battled it out to be crowned King and Queen of LoveCrossed 2015, and win the prize, which was a romantic lunch at the Blue Zucchini Restaurant in Tetbury. After an intense relay race, Rachel Fenton and other half Chris Pedder rode a great relay, working well together to take the WIN!

LovedCrossed2

Senior Mens Podium.

Race 3 was the Veteran (40+) (50+); with a strong field this was going to be a great battle in the grounds where Cromwell planned many historic battles with royalty. The over 40s was won by Simon Snowden (Cadence RT) who crossed the finish line having completed an impressive 9 laps of the course. In second place was local rider Grant Baton (Ride 24/7), who held his position after breaking his rear mech and luckily squeezing in a quick bike change. His Ride 24/7 teammate Ian Daws filling up the last spot on the podium.

The over 50s was dominated by World Champion Philip Roach (Team Jewson) who was averaging 6:30 min laps and showing his prowess in the world of Cyclocross. In 2nd place was Tony Davis (Dream Cycling) and in 3rd Robin Akers (Oxonian CC).

Race 4 was the Women’s with Dorothy Liviabella (Ride 24/7) winning the vets and in 2nd place was Nicky Quant (Mid Devon CC). The Seniors was Won by Rachel Fenton (Trek Bicycle Coventry) who commanded the race from the beginning winning by over 5 minutes. 2nd went to Harriet Guest (Performance Cycles) and 3rd to Emma Smith (Brat). The Juniors was won by Emily Haycox (Cardiff Ajax)

The Junior males’ race was won by Jamie Ellis (Cotswold Velo).

It was then time for the senior male’s race. This was much anticipated with Steven Roach, son of Philip Roach, favourite to take the win, but headline sponsors Saddleback also entered a strong squad, including Scot Easter and local man Scot Chalmers. The race was flat out from the gun with Steven Roach (Ride Coventry) taking an early lead but being chased by Sam Allen and Scot Chalmers. The race was soon strung out as Steven cemented a good lead on his rivals. After 11 laps of this testing course Steven Roach took the win with Sam Allen in 2nd and Scot Chalmers coming in 3rd.

LovedCrossed3

Steven Roach wins the Senior Mens race.

After a full day of racing the crowd made their way to the front of the house where the podium was set and the Prize Giving took place. Saddleback supplied some great prizes for all categories and a limited edition, LoveCrossed, Castelli winner’s jersey. Champagne was then sprayed and prizes were given ending a great day for everyone involved.

Photos from Huw Fairclough 

HF7_0090

Phil Roach wins the Over 50s in the rainbow stripes

HFP_1490

Great backdrop for a race.

HFP_1607

Steven Roach made it a double for the family in the senior mens race

Chavenage Challenges and LoveCrossed would like to extend a massive thank you to Saddleback for all their support in putting on this race, and to all the marshals for helping the event run smoothly.

To keep up to date with Chavenage Challenges’ events, keep an eye on their twitter @chavenageC and website www.chavenagechallenges.co.uk . There is already talk of the next LoveCrossed, and rumour has it it may fall in 2015.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for an announcement in the coming weeks! The next scheduled event is their Sportive on the 24th MAY 2015. ENTER HERE

RESULTS

Under 14 Boys
1 Jay Allen Palmer Park Velo RT
2 Lewis Ellis Cotswold Veldrijden

Under 14 Girls
1 Ella Shaftoe

Under 16 Boys
1 Jamie Ellis Cotswold Veldrijden
2 Xavier Sullivan-Touye Solihull CC
3 Samuel Tippett Severn RC

Veteran Men 40-49
1 Simon Snowden Cadence RT
2 Grant Bayton Ride 24/7
3 Ian Daws Ride 24/7
4 Paul Clark Western RC
5 Phil Taylor
6 Morgan Brown
7 Nick Bishop
8 Nicholas Ferris Chippenham & Dist Whls

Veteran Men 50+
1 Philip Roach Team Jewson-M.I.Racing-Polypip…
2 Tony Davis Dream Cycling
3 Robin Akers Oxonian CC
4 Peter Mooney Rugby Velo
5 Paul James Crawley Wheelers
6 Richard Mynott
7 Kevin Bexley Tooting BC
8 Mark Allen
9 John Woodland
10 phil mannin

Junior Men
1 Jamie Ellis Cotswold Veldrijden

Women
1 Rachel Fenton Trek Bicycle Coventry
2 Harriet Guest Performance Cycles
3 Dorothy Liviabella Ride 24/7
4 Emily Haycox Cardiff Ajax CC
5 Emma Smith
6 Nicky Quant Mid Devon CC
7 Elaine Mason Mid Devon CC

Senior Men
1 Steven Roach Cycle-Tec
2 Sam Allen Hennebont Cyclisme
3 Scott Chalmers Felt Racing
4 Jamie Newall Pedal Heaven RT
5 Scott Easter
6 Christopher Pedder
7 Daniel Guest Performance Cycles
8 Ben Anstie Cadence RT
9 Andrew Burridge
10 John Dodgin The Edge Cycleworks
11 David Barnaville Bristol CX
12 Oscar Neilson
13 Christopher Fairclough Cwmcarn Paragon Cycle Club
14 Neil Halliday
15 David Shephard Cheltenham & County CC
16 Jason Painton Rides on Air
17 Paul Lloyd Rides on Air
18 Charles Coleman Felt Racing
19 Mitch Evans Ride 24/7
20 Paul Whitesmith Bristol CX
21 Tony Corke
22 Jeremy Fletcher Cardiff University Marmots
23 Tim Carlton
24 Philip Jevons Here Come The Belgians
25 Matthew Evans
26 Rob Pattinson
27 Simon Edwards-Parton Kingston Wheelers CC
28 Matthew Phillips

Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: ,