Berry Hill was a new venue and a popular one. Practice laps were ridden on all kinds of tyres trying to find the best compromise for the soft turf, the leafy woods and the deep mud. The organisers (Ashfield RC) did a great job.
In the U16s race the Derby Mercury team mates Jack Husselbee and Joseph Kininmonth rode off the front together but Jack pulled head after 3 laps to take a solid solo win. In third place, Owen Lightfoot (Bourne Wheelers) continued his great form. The U14s saw Fred Shenton-McQueen (Beeston RC) finish well ahead from 2nd and 3rd place Luke Kininmonth and Jack Pearson.
The girls’ U14s race saw Harriet Limb (Matlock) pull ahead by a few seconds and then hold her lead from Holly Bailey and Annabel Parker a minute behind in 3rd. U16 girls resulted in Amo Wayte (MI Racing Academy) continue with her clean sweep of wins from Lotta Mansfield. Ellie Dilks finished 3rd.
A few sections of deep peat were included as part of the seniors’ course and this saw many riders hit the deck. The course encouraged groups to form,
The V40 top 3 were Nathan Miller (Derby Mercury), James Moore (Welland Valley) and Matthew Hall (Zepnat). In the V50+ Pete Harris finished first ahead of Adrian Hill and Simon Hale.
The final races of the day saw a group of 5 ride together at the front with Preece, Metcalfe, Duggan, Peake, Fletcher and Brown all taking turns leading. Unsurprisingly, it was Dave Fletcher (Sherwood Pines) who had the legs to win breaking clear from Chris Metcalfe (Fabric Cycling), despite Chris taking 15s out of the lead on the final lap. David Duggan finished 3rd.
In a course that suited her, Helen Dussek (Nottingham Clarion) won the women’s race, her first win at NDCXL, showing focus and determination and never looking like she was going to be caught. Tiff Fletcher (Empella) was second over the line (1st U23) and Cheryl Vaughan 3rd (Matlock). First Junior Xan Crees rode conservatively saving her legs for Sunday’s National Trophy and waving to her pit crew as she passed.
The Juniors saw Finn Mansfield (MI Racing Academy) and James Swadling (Nottingham Clarion) ride together until Mansfield pushed on whilst James struggled with a nose bleed. Matlocks Alex Raynard caught Swadling to finish 2nd. It was Mansfield’s first win since moving up to the Junior category this year.
Full chip results are here https://www.ndcxl.org.uk/2017/11/11/r7-berry-hill-postcode-and-provisional-results/
U9 and U12 — we need volunteer race reporters!