For newcomers these summer events are a good low key introduction to cyclo-cross racing.   Usually conditions are drier and warmer than winter events and courses tend to be a bit less technical.

The Banjo Cycles Summer League is new this year and features six races on Thursday evenings in Goldwell Park, Newbury.

Dates:  30th May, 6th June, 13th June, 20th June, 27th June, 4th July

Venue:  Goldwell Park, Northcroft Lane, Newbury,  RG14 1RS

Under 14s Race:     20 min race start  6:00 pm  entry fee £4.00

Over 14s Race:  40 min race  start 7pm    entry £8.00

Register:  From 5pm for U14s, From 6pm for Over 14s

Car Parking:  Please use Pay & Display ( £1.00 fee) and not the Leisure Centre car park

Run under British Cycling rules so helmets are compulsory.  A cyclo-cross bike or a mountain bike is acceptable but must be in good working order.

Series and spot prizes will be awarded.  Race sponsors are  Banjo Cycles  in Newbury.

Contact:  summer.cx@hotmail.co.uk

The Western Cyclo-Cross League are again promoting a summer series of 10 evening races using various venues in the Bristol and Gloucester area.   Check the  British Cycling Western Cyclo-Cross Listing Page  for full details.

The general format is the same for each event, with all events on Wednesday evenings.  No British Cycling Licence is required as these are run as Go-Cross events.  Just turn up, enter and ride.

18:30  Under 12s race
19:00 Youth race
19:00  Senior/Vet/Women race

Entry is on the line and is free for Under 12s, £4.00 for Youth and £11.00 for Seniors.

15th  May  Pitville Park, Cheltenham

22nd May  Hengrove Park, Bristol

29th May  Warmley Park, Bristol

5th June  Oldbury Park, Bristol

12th June  Gloucester Boating Lake

19th June  Hengrove Park, Bristol

26th June  Odd Down, Bath

3rd July  Warmley Park, Bristol

10th July  Lockleaze, Bristol

17th July  Oldbury Park, Bristol

The London Summer Series of Cyclo-Cross races starts on 1st July and you can find out more details of their races on their dedicated website HERE.

PROPOSALS:

(1) We propose that the Wessex Prize Fund be increased to the Prize levels as indicated on the attached document.

Reason – We awarded £1,252.00 in Prize Money for the 2012/13 Season, and in the season our accounts have shown a surplus of approximately £900, therefore we can increase the Prize Fund by the £456.00 as detailed.

Proposed: Wessex Cyclo Cross Committee

Carried

The new prize list has increases to last season’s prizes and the prizes now go further down the result list. Kerie Wallace will look at the addition of some more prizes in the Women’s category should the expected upturn in riders materialises, so please see attached proposed League prize list.

(2) We propose that a new category of Novice for any Over 16 riders who have never raced before be created. The riders to have a separate race starting two minutes behind the Youth riders. Riders being allowed to have a max of 3 races before they have to ride in their correct category.

Reason: To introduce new riders to cross racing in a shorter more relaxed race rather than being thrown in at deep end.

Proposed: Matt Carey.  Seconded Andy Smith

Carried with minor amendment.

All those present had no objections to this happening and it was carried with an amendment that it will be brought in for next season but it will be up to individual organisers if they adopt for their race. It will be reviewed after season and if successful will become compulsory in the following season.

(3) We propose that all events to be online entry only, other than Under 12, Youth and Novice if above proposal is passed. No Entry on the line.

Reason – Less work on the day for organiser, easier for gridding, easier to work out race budget, better for security without tins with all the entry fees hanging around.

Proposed: Andy Smith Seconded: Claire Smith

Carried with major amendments

A lively debate resulted from this one with the result that is was caried with an amendment. The amendment was that no events would Online entry only, the reason being that some people may not have PC’s, it would stop people making a late decision to ride on the day which has always been an attraction of Cyclo-Cross and that only BC members can use the Online entry system so it had the potential to make our fields smaller. It was finally agreed to allow any organiser to opt for online entries but they would still have to accept entries on the day as well. Organisers would have to set a closing date for online entries so it can be downloaded and put onto signing on sheets etc, this may be a few days before the event or a week before. They could then if they so decide to have one price for advance entries and a slight increase for on the day entries. eg: £10 in advance or £12 on the day.

(4) We propose that all Wessex race meetings should keep an agreed order of races of U-12, Youth, Vet/Jun/Women and Senior.

Reason – Becomes a standard order for all race meetings.

Proposed: Andy Smith Seconded: Claire Smith

Carried

This was discussed and it was agreed that the original order was easily understood and to have different categories moved around confused people, also the Vets and Seniors swapping around presented problems for vets who had children racing either Youth or Under 12′s and they had to be at event for the whole day, with a few opting not to ride the later vets race.

(5) We propose the prizes for all Wessex events should be standardised. Reason – Every season some races give out correct amount of prizes under BC rules and others fall short of this.

Proposed: Andy Smith Seconded: Claire Smith

Carried with amendment.

All points about this proposal was discussed with much emphasis on having a standardised prize list, it was decided that it would be hard to bring in as some organisers can get big fields and therefore a bigger race budget and some organisers can get their course for next to nothing and others have paid over £400. This part was dropped and the discussion then concentrated on the wide differences of prizes between races with some being very generous and others not giving back the bare minimum required. There are rules about the amount of prizes to be handed out that roughly works out to 20% of the entries, it was decided that the secretary would emphasize this to organiser when he sends out instructions to them, we will get feedback from Commissaires and riders if it seems this is not being carried out properly.

(6) We propose that instead of riders affiliating as Teams or individuals that riders all affiliate as individuals under their club/team name. As a starting point £3 per rider.

Reason: To level the difference between big teams paying paying £30 and having unlimited riders and smaller teams paying the same and only having 3 riders. This would mean the top rider will pay the same as the lowest placed rider, teams can still pay for all their riders en mass.

Proposed: Andy Smith Seconded: Claire Smith.

Withdrawn

This proposal fell at the first hurdle as Kerie Wallace, the league secretary and treasurer said it would really increase his workload in both jobs as he would have hundreds of names to check for points and a massive amount of admin work to get all money and names sorted for the financial side. The proposer was happy to withdraw this proposal.

(7) We propose to tighten up the rules regarding to Organisers and their teams scoring maximum points. For discussion this will be a starting point:

Maximum points will be awarded to -

a. Riders who Organise, Lap Score or Commissaire in any of these positions for a maximum of three events in any one Season will score maximum points as below

Officiate one race = 60* points, to activate them ride and finish two league events.

Officiate two races = 120* points, to activate them ride and finish in four league events

Officiate three races = 180* points, to activate them ride and finish in six league events.

b. Riders who Assist in the Organising of a Race for a maximum of one event in any one Season will score maximum points as below –

Assist at one race = 60* points, to activate them ride and finish two league events.

c. Or some other special circumstances that are agreed upon by the Committee.

* Will be adjusted to maximum points available in the riders particular League

Proposed: Wessex Cyclo Cross Committee

Carried with amendments

This involved a long discussion which ended with most agreeing to an amendment which was that the organiser plus 2 other allocated official eg asssiant organiser and lap scorer would get the full 60 points or if in another category like Youth the maximum for that category. The 2 Commissaires would get 60 points each and from the organising club up to 10 people who have helped out eg course marking, car park duties etc will get 30 points or if from another category half of maximum points.

As with existing rules these points have to be activated by riding and finishing 2 races. If helpers like organisers and officials get points for helping out at other events they still get max points but then have to ride and finish another 2 events to activate them, this is up to a maximum of 3 times.

It was agreed that is was incumbent on the organiser, and it must be done when sending in the race results, that they must inform the League Points Secretary who is eligible for the points, these points would be allocated on the League Table straight away, for gridding at next race, but would be removed should the rider not achieve the required number of completed race finishes.

Gordon MacDonald passed away on 22nd March after a short illness, he was 80.

Those new to Cross in last few seasons wouldn’t have come across Gordon as he hasn’t been too active on Wessex races for a few years, but before that he was involved in everything that helped build our league into a nice, friendly popular league.  He raced back in the mid 60′s and at end of 60′s started to organise races, he then became Wessex Treasurer and Chairman.

He was involved Nationally as a National Committee member, Drug Control co-ordinator and League co-ordinator for the then Halfords National Trophy series.  Locally if there was a job to do he would volunteer for it, he was a regular lap scorer and his career spanned fields of less than 20 to 90+ all with paper and pen. He was also a registered starter for the Southampton Track League and would often bring his starting pistol to cross races, much more exciting for everyone with a gun going off than just a whistle being blown.

Before all these National posts he did a lot of work with Youth riders and organised from early 70′s an International Youth Stage race at Butlins in Skegness and Filey, this involved teams from the UK and Europe with many of the riders going on to greater things with contracts as pro’s in UK and Europe.  The greatest success was Stephen Roche, who rode this mini stage race on his first visit outside of Ireland and then went on in 1987 to win the Tour De France, Giro Italia and World Road Race Championships all in one year.

Other top riders to come from this race when Gordon was organiser also include, Chris Boardman, Roger Hammond former World Junior Cross Champ, Youth, Junior and Senior National Cross Champion along with a 3rd place in Paris Roubaix one day classic.  Erik Dekker, Pro with Rabobank and back to back Tour de France stage winner.  Neil Martin, top cross and road rider and father of Dan Martin top pro with Garmin team and recent winner of tour of Catalonia.  Chris Lillywhite, former Milk Race winner and Paul Kimmage, former pro rider and author who is Lance Armstrong’s public enemy number one.  Gordon land his team liked to think that by organising this event that they helped all these riders onto greater things.

Gordon was first of a local cyclo-cross dynasty being the father of Ian Macdonald (Current Secretary), Andrew Macdonald (Multi Wessex senior Champion and a current Commissaire) and grandfather of Matt Macdonald.

 Ian MacDonald

Click HERE for the agenda and HERE for the AGM meeting minutes from 2012.

The venue is the 5th New Forest Testwood Scout HQ, Blackwater Drive, Calmore, Southampton, SO40 2QJ.

Anyone can attend the meeting but only private members and two representatives of each affiliated club can vote.

This is the forum in which change can happen from you.  If you feel something needs changing or have an idea that will improve our local races please put forward a proposal.

All proposals must have one proposer and one seconder and must be members of an affiliated club (or a private member) and must be submitted by Friday 22nd March.

The league committee positions are also open for re-election.  If you wish to stand or propose someone for the roles of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, League Secretary or Press Officer then nominations have to be received by Friday 22nd March 2013.

Any queries prior to the AGM can be addressed to either

Ian MacDonald  macbiking@tiscali.co.uk   tel:  02380 428468

OR

Kerie Wallace   kerie.wallace@trant.co.uk    tel:   07850 172929

Anyone is welecome to attend the AGM and contribute to any discussions on the night so please come along if you are interested or have some thoughts and opinions.

You can read the report in PDF format by clicking HERE.

Thanks to the generous support of Specialized, via our League Rider Chris Atkins, we have the signed and framed race jersey of Matt Goss when winning the Milan-Same race for HTC in 2011.

We will be auctioning this Jersey at the forthcoming Wessex Prize Presentation, for Wessex funds, so please bring your ‘arm raising arms’ with you, and of course your cheque books.

I know that some of you will not be able to make the Prize Presentation, shame on you (seems that warm weather training camps are in vogue), but if you would like to make proxy bids then I am happy to take this on, just let me know what you maximum bid will be and I will bid on your behalf on the night.

Kerie

Email:  kerie.wallace@trant.co.uk

Tickets are available at £10.00 each,  £5.00 for U16’s, which includes a buffet meal, there will of course be the usual prize draw and bar.

Tickets are available from Kerie Wallace,

telephone   07850 172929

e-mail   kerie.wallace@trant.co.uk.

Report by Graham Robins    Photo Gallery by Graham Robins

Soon after the start the four team mates had opened a good gap and were soon clear of a couple of chasing riders. Sam Allen (Hennebont) managed to have a tussle with a thorn bush in the wooded section and found himself slipping backwards despite a good start. Once Sam had stopped twice to remove the foliage he soon set of picking back the places he had lost.

On the first lap James and Andy Hargroves were together and Bowers was just five seconds adrift, Matt Hargroves was close by along with James Cotty (Wheelbase Cannondale) and Chris Atkinson (Specialized). Once the front order had been established the only movement came from Allen.

The next couple of laps sees James and Andy Hargroves pull away along with Bowers but the pace at the front sees the younger Hargroves rider Matt slip back to 28seconds with Allen now only 16secs behind him a catching fast. The next rider to slip away is Andy, which allows Bowers past but he is now 25secs down Andy is at 35secs, Allen is 1min back but more importantly ahead of Matt who is now 1min 30 down on the leader.

At the bell James has a lead of 54secs over Bowers, Allen is 1min 21secs adrift and Andy Hargroves is now 1min 52secs back with Matt Hargroves 3min 14secs further behind. The heavy conditions and the rain only managed to help Steve James and he managed to extend his lead by a few more seconds.

Steve James leads in his National jersey

Provisional Result

1^st Steve James Hargroves Cycles 48mins 20secs

2^nd Stuart Bowers Hargroves Cycles @1min 03secs

3^rd Sam Allen Hennebont @1min 31secs

4^th Andrew Hargroves Hargroves Cycles @2mins 22secs

5^th Matt Hargroves Hargroves Cycles

The combined vet/junior/women’s race was held it heavy rain throughout and as this was the final race of the day the course was very cut up on the corners and riders were having to carefully pick the race line in order to remain upright.

From the start Sean Williams (Wightlink/Offshore) and Mike Simpson (GS Henley) resumed where they have been all season at the front and soon the two riders had pulled away from the rest.  Will Girvan (North Hants RC) and Keith Sheridan (Cotswold Veldrijden) soon eased away from David Hobbs and David Phillips both from the Cotswold Veldrijden team?

At half way the leader board saw Simpson from Williams by 15secs followed by Girvan 47secs, then Sheridan 1min 12secs. Hobbs and Phillips were having a good dice together and they were 1min 45secs down. The next rider was Robin Wilmott (GA Cycles) at 2mins 22secs. The leading lady was Melissa Brand (Pretorius) from London just down to race on Boxing Day.

Keith Sheridan

Provisional Result

1^st Mike Simpson GS Henley 38mins 27secs

2^nd Sean Williams Wightlink Offshore @8secs

3^rd Will Girvan North Hants RC @ 1min 11secs

4^th Keith Sheridan Cotswold Veldrijden @ 1min 13secs

5^th David Phillips Cotswold Veldrijden @ 2min 21secs

1^st Women Melissa Brand Pretorius

The first race today saw a good fight at the front on the first lap with four riders quite close together. The race order was Anthony Anderson (Sigma Sport) Chris Rothwell (Swindon RC) Edward Gronbech (Oxford City RC) and Harry Sowden (Clayton Cars BMW). But on the second lap Anderson dropped away and Gronbech as Rothwell started to pull away. His lead went to 12secs over Edward and Anderson was now 40secs adrift. Anderson continued to have trouble and he tumbled away and at the bell he was fifth. Dan Tuley (Chapel Tri Stars) capitalised on the drop in form and he moved up to fourth.

Youth Race Starts

Provisional Result

1^st Christopher Rothwell Swindon RC 22mins 21secs

2^nd Edward Gronbech Oxford City RC @29secs

3^rd Harry Sowden Clayton Cars BMW @1min 14secs

4^th Dan Tuley Chapel Tri stars @1min 48secs

5^th Anthony Anderson Sigma Sport @2min 45secs

The under 12’s race was the race with it all to play for in the Wessex League as Angus Hawkins and Jay Allen (PPV) had both the same amount of wins and second places and with the dropped scores taken into account they were neck and neck going into the last race, winner takes all.

The two young riders were very evenly matched at the start and neither wanted to give an inch as they rode away from the front. But with just over a lap to go Angus slipped away and Jay was unable to go with him. So Angus took the win and along with it the Under 12’s League win

Angus Hawkins

1^st Angus Hawkins PPV

2^nd Jay Allen PPV @50secs

3^rd Rowan Turner Poole Wheelers

4^th Anna Wadsworth PPV and 1^st Girl

5^th Maddie Wadsworth PPV and 2^nd Girl

6^th Madeline Cooper Chapel Tri Stars and 3^rd Girl

 Results:  Seniors

Results:  Vet/Junior/Women

Results:  Youth

Results:  Under 12s

Report by Graham Robins    Photo Gallery by Graham Robins.        YouTube video  HERE.

Full Results (revised 11th Dec) are at the end of this page.

Detailed results with lap times are also available HERE.

The start of the Senior Race

The race was held in the war Memorial Park in Basingstoke and consisted a couple of football pitches, some wooded sections and a BMX track. The course was very dry and did not cut up at all throughout the race. It remained dry but it was very windy throughout all the races.

After a furious start the pack started to string out and Steven and Andrew Hargroves (Hargroves Cycles) were at the head of the field as they came back across the main arena. There were already gaps appearing which was testament to the fast pace being set at the front. The first time through the ‘bmx’ section a small group of five had formed which included Matt MacDonald and Crispin Doyle (Hargroves Cycles.

Up the climb on the first lap John Whittington (CNP Obrea) joined in the action and was right on Steven’s Wheel. Once the race settled it was Adrian and Steven pulling away from Crispin and Andrew before Andrew started to slip away and this was allowing a hard charging Sam Allen (Hennebont Cyclsme) to start sees a chance of catching the chasing pair.

At mid distance with Adrain and Steven clear at the front the chasers Matt and Crispin along with Andrew were now stuck together along with John and the closing stages would see all the changes taking place

With the chasing group now beginning to fragment the leaders applied the pressure and extended their lead and gives the others the slip for good. With the leaders looking evenly matched Doyle was now doing his best to reel in Whittington which he managed as they swung into the arena section. Sam Allen continued his charge and finally got past Matt MacDonald but it looked like he was running out of time to chase down Crispin and John.

On lap five Crispin put an attack in and eases away from John to hone in on a medal but this effort looked in vain as John soon came back and got past again. Now with two laps to go Adrian makes his move over the hurdles but in the wooded section Steven comes back to him and is now on his back wheel again. In the battle for third Crispin has got back with John and Sam is now looking laboured as is safe in fifth spot.

At the finish Adrian leads into the arena and Steven is on his wheel but he eased past him to solo to the line. John Whittington took the remaining medal from Crispin with Sam coming in fifth after a hard race.

Provisional Result

The Seniors podium

1^st Steven James Hargroves Cycle 58mins 14secs

2^nd Adrian Lansley PedalOn @1sec

3^rd John Whittington CNP Orbea @19secs

4^th Crispin Doyle Hargroves Cycles @28secs

5^th Sam Allen Hennebont Cyclsme @30secs

The mornings racing got underway with a very large entry from the under 12’s. Angus Hawkins and Jay Allen were once again at the front as they have been all season. Not too far behind was Freddie Birchill (Mid Devon) and Max Hinds (First Chard Wheelers) These youngsters had a few laps over the fifteen minutes of racing but once Angus got his gap he soon pulled away from Jay and the race was won.

Provisional Result

1^st Angus Hawkins PPV 15mins 38secs

2^nd Jay Allen PPV @36secs

3^rd Noah Tresham Team MK @41secs

Maddie Wadsworth PPV was first girl

Anthony Anderson

In the youth race both the winners were convincing winners and well clear of their second place. The youth boy’s race was won by Anthony Anderson (LaFuga/Sigma Sport), and once the race started he pulled out a large gap leaving Christopher Rothwell (Swindon RC) and Edward Gronbech (Oxford City RC) to fight it out with Jack Saunders (Swindon RC).

Anthony’s lead is now over 40secs and despite ‘bumping’ into a senior rider on the course he managed to get back up to race pace and continue on to a clear win.

1^st Anthony Anderson LaFuga Sigma Sport 29mins 13secs

2^nd Christopher Rothwell Swindon RC @21secs

3^rd Edward Gronbech Oxford City RC @26secs

4^th Jack Saunders Swindon RC @1min 11secs

5^th Daniel Tuley Chapel Tristars @1min 42secs

In the girl’s race Emily Wadsworth (Beeline CyclesRT) very quickly built up a commanding lead over Zoe Sheehan (Swindon RC) who in turn was clear of Emma Pitt (PPV) and this is how it stayed throughout the remainder of the laps.

Emily Wadsworth

Provisional Result Girls

1^st Emily Wadsworth Beeline Cycles RT 33mins 01secs

2^nd Zoe Sheehan Swindon RC @3mins 15secs

3^rd Emma Pitt PPV @3min 54secs

4^th Ciara Hutchinson Swindon RC

5^th Lauren Murphy Team Milton Keynes

The combined races for Vets/ Women and juniors saw some of the keenly contested racing of the day. Matt Hargroves (Hargroves Cycles) won the junior boys race and was over a minutes clear of second place Joe Griffiths (Dream CC). A group of four made the initial attack from the off with Matt and Joe were Harvey Lowe and Matt Woods (Hargroves Cycles). Matt Hargroves dropped Joe mid race and Matt Woods did the same to Harvey towards the end of the race.

The Women’s race saw Tamina Oliver (Hargroves Cycles) soon pull out a lead which she managed to control over Claire Smith (Cotswold Veldrijden) finishing over 2 minutes clear. Tamina had enough time at the end to allow race leader Matt Hargroves to pass her within sight of the finish line to allow her not too have to complete another full lap.

The vet race was won by Mike Simpson (GS Henley) from William Girvan (North Hants RC) with Robin Wilmott (GA Cycles) third. The only major causality of the race was Sean Williams (Wightlink Offshore) who broke his chain while he was in the leading group. He did manage to run to the pits and swap his bike but by now he was well done and retired. Steven Davies (Team Jewson) was the winner of the vet 50+ winner from Dave McMullen (Team GWR) with Malcolm Cross (Hargroves Cycles) third.

Provisional Result Junior

1^st Matt Hargroves Hargroves Cycles 1hr 01min 40secs

2^nd Joe Griffiths Dream CC @1mins 05secs

3^rd Matthew Woods Hargroves Cycles @1min 59secs

Provisional Result Women

Tamina Oliver

1^st Tamina Oliver Hargroves Cycles 1hr 01mins 42secs

2^nd Claire Smith Cotswold Veldrijden @ 41secs

3^rd Maxine Filby RWD Brakes Factory RT @1min

Provisional Result Vet

1^st Mike Simpson GS Henley 1hr 02mins 11secs

2^nd William Girvan North Hants RC @48secs

3rdRobin Wilmott GA Cycles @ 1min 38secs

Provisional Result Vet +50

1^st Steven Davies Team Jewson 1hr 03mins 15secs

2^nd Dave McMullen Team GWR @1min 37secs

3^rd Malcolm Cross Hargroves Cycles @3mins 29secs

Results:  Seniors

Veteran/Junior/Women Combined

Juniors

Veterans 40-49

Veterans 50+

Women

Youths (combined)

Youths (Male)

Youths (Female)

Under 12s (combined)