National Cyclocross comes to Cumbria

British Cycling HSBC National Cyclocross Trophy

Round 2: Westmorland

Westmorland Showground

5+6 October 2019

The North West is a hotbed for cyclocross and for years the sport has drawn huge crowds to the region. It has taken some time for a National Trophy round to take place here but thanks to the hard work and support of the North West Cyclocross Association, local cycle store WHEELBASE, The Fred Whitton Challenge and the Westmorland County Showground, British Cycling’s premier cyclocross series came to Cumbria this past weekend for the first time.

The Westmorland Showground event formed round 2 of the National Trophy series which sees the best cyclocross riders in the UK compete for the coveted leader’s jerseys.

The course, designed by Dave Haygarth and Stuart Reid, proved very popular and challenging with lots of short steep banks, twists and turns and off-camber descents. Heavy rain in the build up to the event made the course even tougher and especially muddy.

The course tested the skills and fitness of competitors and it was multi National Champion Ian Field and talented under-23 rider Harriet Harnden who conquered the conditions, taking victories in the elite men’s and women’s races.

Cyclocross racing is very inclusive with categories for all ages from Under 14 to Vet 60 and the race drew over 1,000 riders and their helpers to our region.

Also, part of the event’s ethos was to encourage the future of sport and to ‘give Cross a go’. Kendal Cycling Club hosted a Go Ride cross race with WHEELBASE and Frog Bikes for Under 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 year olds. The race was very well attended with over 100 kids giving cross a go for the first time.

What is cyclocross? Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing. Races typically take place in the autumn and winter and last 30 minutes to 1 hour. The courses consist of many short laps featuring grass, mud, sand, steep hills, steps and other obstacles that require the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike and remount. Cyclocross bicycles are similar to road racing bicycles – lightweight with narrow treaded tyres, drop handlebars and plenty of clearance for thick mud.

Photos from Dan Monaghan, Cadence Images and Ellen Isherwood

View the full gallery over on our Facebook page

 ELITE MEN

1 Ian Field Neon-Velo Cycling Team MS

2 Gosse van der Meer Bombtrack BicyclesHunt MS

3 David Conroy Scott-Eurocycles.com MU23

4 Cameron Mason Trinity Racing MU23

5 Toby Barnes RST/Cycle Division RT MU23

6 Lewis Askey Zannata Ride Coventry XGear MU23

7 Lewis Craven Wheelbase CabTech Castelli MV40

8 Nicholas Craig SCOTT Racing MV50

9 Steven James Hope Factory Racing MS

10 Sam Smith Magspeed Racing MU23

11 Giles Drake Wheelbase CabTech Castelli MS

12 David Duggan Wheelbase CabTech Castelli MS

ELITE WOMEN

1 Harriet Harnden T-Mo Racing FU23

2 Millie Couzens PH-MAS/Paul Milnes Cycles FJ

3 Sophie Thackray SCOTT Racing FU23

JUNIOR MEN

1 Rory McGuire LeslieBikeShopBikersBoutique MJ

2 Oliver Stockwell Team Ribble MJ

3 Daniel Barnes Garden Shed UK-SCOTT MJ

YOUTH BOYS UNDER 16

1 Oliver Akers GardenShedUKSCOTTVerge MU16

2 Max Greensill Hope Factory Racing MU16

3 Bjoern Koerdt East Bradford Race Team MU16

YOUTH BOYS UNDER 14

1 Sebastian Grindley North Cheshire Clarion MU14

2 Alfie Davies A Cycling MU14

3 Joshua Jackson The MI Racing Academy MU14

YOUTH GIRLS UNDER 16

1 Zoe Backstedt Storey Racing FU16

2 Ella Maclean-Howell Cardiff JIF FU16

3 Hope Inglis Team JRC FU16

YOUTH GIRLS UNDER 14

1 Carys Lloyd VC Londres FU14

2 Lucy Wollaston VC Londres FU14

3 Cat Ferguson Cycle Sport Pendle FU14

VET 40 MEN

1 Adrian Lansley Pedalon.co.uk MV40

2 Lewis Craven Wheelbase CabTech Castelli MV40

3 Alexander Forrester wwwZepnatcomRTLazerhelmets MV40

VET 50

1 Nicholas Craig SCOTT Racing MV50

2 Pete Middleton wwwZepnatcomRTLazerhelmets MV50

3 Mark James Dream Cycling MV50

VET 60

1 Roy Hunt Team Kinesis UK MV60

2 Robin Delve Mid Devon CC MV60

3 Michael Davies Individual Member MV60

VET 40 / 50 / 60 WOMEN

1 Kate Eedy Team Empella Cyclo-Cross.Com FV40

2 Lucy Siddle Allen Valley Velo FV40

3 Alison Kinloch PH-MAS/Paul Milnes Cycles FV40