Report: Beeline Cycles (Oxford Cross)


Another win for Michael Cotty in round 5 of the Wessex League on Sunday, 30th October 2011

Graham Robins reports … Today’s races were held at the campus of Westminster College near to the centre of Oxford. The course was laid out over a couple of playing fields and a large wooded area which borders the college. The morning started dry and windy, the grass was a little damp on top due to overnight rain, however the weather was to take a turn for the worse and rain came in for the combined Vet/women junior race and this helped make to top surface very slippery in places. Although the rain had relented in time for the senior race there was still a damp feel to the air.

Wessex League CX round 5

First away was the u10/u12’s race, first to make a break was Bethany Lewis (PPV) who along with Harry Dridge (Southdown Velo) opened up a small lead. Close by was Erin Baker (Southdown Velo), also not too far behind was Ieuan Woods (Charlotte Ville). On the second lap Bethany and Harry had pulled away and started working together, Ieuan had now passed Erin and Liam Sewell (Swindon RC) was the next rider up. Bethany made her attack on the last few corners pulling away from Harry who in turn was clear of Ieuan.

Provisional Result
1st Bethany Lewis Palmer Park Velo
2nd Harry Dridge Southdown Velo
3rd Ieuan Woods Charlotte Ville
4th Erin Baker Southdown Velo
5th Liam Sewell Swindon RC.

Youth Race
The youth riders competed on a long course run the opposite way round to the younger riders. After the first lap it was Jack Saunders (Swindon RC) who had pulled out a 25secs gap over Jack Phillips (Banjo Cycles). Next up was Tom Sewell a further 33secs down and then Edward Gronbech 22 secs behind them.

Jack Sewell continued to open up a large gap with Jack Phillips now drooping back. The minor places had not changed and the first girl was Bethany Taylor who had got passed Zoe Sheehan. There was quite an interesting race within the race with four girls Bethany Taylor (BCDS), Megan Lewis (Palmer Park Velo), Bethany George and team mate Zoe Sheehan (Swindon RC) all quite close together.  At the bell Jack Saunders was all alone with Jack Phillips second. On the finish line Megan Lewis was just piped by Bethany Taylor with Bethany George also close by.

Provisional Result
1st Jack Saunders Swindon RC
2nd Jack Phillips Banjo Cycles
3rd Tom Sewell Swindon RC
4th Edward Gronbech Oxford City RC
5th Beth Taylor BCDS

Just as the combined vet/junior/Women’s race the rain started to fall adding sheen to the grass land which caught out several riders. After the run out around the fields the first to show at the front was junior rider Matt Woods (Hargroves Cycles) and vet rider Will Girvan (NHRC). The first woman was Claire Smith (Swindon RC) with Sarah Woods (Wight Mountain) up next followed by Claire Galloway (Zappi’s).

Over the next couple of laps Matt and Will stayed away working hard to extend their lead. The next riders up were David Phillips and Peter Hutchinson (Swindon RC) with next rider Robin Wilmott (GA Cycles) next. As the two leaders came into the finishing area the chequered flag was waving, Matt was in front of Will and hence won the race however both riders had said they did not hear the bell and both looked quizzically at the finish line thinking they had a least a lap to go. Just after the finish line the two riders spoke and said neither had heard the bell and were very surprised to see the flag. Will was magnanimous at the finish saying he was pleased to finish behind his younger counterpart and to collect full points for the vet table.

Provisional Result
1st Matt Woods Hargroves Cycles
2nd Will Girvan North Hants RC
3rd David Phillips Swindon RC
4th Peter Hutchinson Swindon RC
5th Robin Wilmott GA Cycles

Provisional Women’s result
1st Claire Smith Swindon RC
2nd Sarah Woods Wight Mountain
3rd Karen Murphy Wight Mountain
4th Samantha Jones Four4th.co.uk
5th Sandie Steel

Senior Race
The last race of the day saw the rain ease before the start as the smaller then usual group of seniors were gridded. The large run out soon managed to spread the field out and riders were all lined out in single file. The first to show were Ben Sumner (Beeline Cycles) and Michael Cotty(Wheelbase/Cannondale) with James Cotty (Wheelbase/Cannondale 32 seconds behind. The leading group was completed by Peter Kench (Team GWR), Jamie Norfolk (Pedal On), Steve Knight Jewson/Thule and James Astbury (Hargroves Cycles).

Photo: Graham Robins, http://www.grahamrobins.net/

After a couple of laps Michael and Ben had extended their lead to over one minute over Peter with James slipping back and Jamie, Steve and James going the other way. By mid way the race lead was Michael Cotty from Ben by 8secs with Peter Kench followed by Steve Knight and Jamie Norfolk. Both James Cotty and James Astbury had slipped back. With a couple of laps to go Michael put in a couple of quick ones to increase his lead over Ben by over one minute with Steve Knight now a further 3 mins behind. Steve Knight was a good one as he asked to be seeded at the back and had worked his way to the front in only a couple of laps.

Provisional Result
1st Michael Cotty Wheelbase/ Cannondale 55mins10secs
2nd Ben Sumner Beeline Cycles @1min 38secs
3rd Steve Knight Jewson/Thule @3mins 22secs
4th Peter Kench Team GWR @ 3mins 38secs
5th Jamie Norfolk Pedal On @ 4mins 13secs
6th James Cotty Wheelbase/Cannondale @5mins 21secs
7th Nick Onslow Pedal On @5mins 22secs
8th James Astbury Hargroves Cycles @ 5mis 26secs
9th Richard Fairthorne Kenilworth Wheelers @ 6mins 51secs
10th Michael Warner Wheelbase/Cannondale @7mins 19secs.

The next round of the Wessex League is at Thruxton Motor Racing circuit Hampshire on 20th November.

Tags: , ,