Race Report – NDCXL Round 9 – Holme Pierrepont

Nottingham Clarion CC Nottingham Clarion CC

Round 9 of the SRAM NDCXL was held this weekend at Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham, courtesy of Nottingham Clarion. Despite better weather conditions than at the previous round, riders still fought against a slippy, muddy course, which included woodland singletrack and steep banking.
The Senior Men’s Race saw Pedal Power’s Paul Cox take a strong lead on the first lap, chased hard by Loughborough Students and Irish U23 XC Champion David Montgomery and George Thompson (Sleaford Wheelers). As the race developed though, Thompson dropped away from the lead group to be replaced by Renvale RT’s Matt Barrett. This group of three split up as the laps progressed, with Montgomery ultimately taking the victory by a 30 second margin over Barrett. Cox claimed the third spot after suffering with mechanical issues.

In the Women’s race, Kate George (Team Empella Cyclo-Cross.Com) returned to winning ways, making her intentions clear right from the first lap. Madeline Smith (Bolsover & District CC) fought hard behind her to take second Woman and first Veteran, with Phoebe Sneddon (Team Mulebar) putting in her best NDCXL performance of the season, grabbing third place.

In the Junior Men’s race, Nottingham Clarion’s Alan Avery made light work of the muddy conditions, and claimed victory over 3 minutes ahead of his clubmate, Tom Chandler. Kieren Brown rounded out the top three.

The Vet Men’s race saw more strong riding, with Naked Bikes’ Chris Rathbone taking the glory with some confidence. Rathbone had looked strong from the first lap, and rode solo after this to finish 30 seconds ahead of Fossa Racing’s Matt Crouch, who edged out Bolsover and District CC’s Andrew Hilton by four seconds to take second.

In the Vet 50 race, Cadence Sport’s Harvey Levann achieved double success, taking his first NDCXL win of the season, and his first CX win after his move up to V50. Zepnat’s Chris Rowe and Pascal Arnoux (Cadence Sport) made up the top three.

The U16 Boy’s race victory was taken by Bailey Wilmott (Derby Mercury), ahead of Leicestershire Road Club’s Liam Davies, and John Webster (Matlock CC).

The U14 Boys saw Alex Haines (Leicestershire Road Club) continue a very strong season by taking the win ahead of Nottingham Clarion’s Finn Mansfield. Reuben Orr (Sherwood Pines) took third.

Fossa Racing’s Elena Smith put in a convincing performance to take the Youth Girl and U14 win, over a minute and half ahead of U16 Girls’ winner Xan Crees (Derby Mercury). Sarah Brunton (Cambridge Triathlon) and Alice Warbrick (Derby Mercury) were second and third U16 Girls, with second and third U14 Girls spots claimed by Matlock CC club mates Sarah Briggs and Amelie Wayte.

The U12 race saw a very strong start, with Beeline Bikes’ Anna Wadworth at the head of the field on the first lap. Despite dropping back a few places over the 5 lap race, Wadworth rode an excellent race, and held on for fourth overall and first Girl. The week-on-week battle between Derby Mercury’s Ben Chilton and Joshua Giddings (Heanor Clarion) played out yet again, although not as closely this week, with Chilton ultimately taking the Boy’s win nearly a minute ahead of Giddings. Owen Lightfoot (Rutland Rouleur) was third, with Libby Smith and Nottingham Clarion’s Lotta Mansfield second and third Girls.

Matlock CC’s Ben Mellor had no issue with the conditions, and continued his winning ways in the Boys U9 event. Lola Jamieson took the same honour in the Girls U9