Cycling: Cyclo-cross at its best laid on by Fakenham club East Coast Riders
The Hempton Cross at Fakenham; the seniors at the 180 degree U-turn. Eventual winner Ross Tricker leading Norwich rider Tim Guy. Picture: Fergus Muir. - Credit: Archant
Cyclo-cross at its best was laid on by Fakenham club East Coast Riders with a course on Hempton Common that was fast but included some spectacular drop-offs and climbs and brought the most skilled riders to the fore.
The Hempton Cross at Fakenham; pictured is Mike Bowen leading Phil Buick on the run-up. Picture: Fergus Muir. - Credit: Archant
In the veterans' race spectators were treated to a race-long battle between Wymondham rider Phil Buick (Iceni Velo) and League leader Mike Bowen (West Suffolk Whs) – culminating in two exciting 'finishes', the first due to an error with the lap board for which commissaire Mandy Burchett later publicly apologised. In the finish that counted the crucial point was the 180 degree on-road turn where Buick cornered fast and wide, using the verges as a berm, while Bowen turned ultra-tight, coming almost to a stop, but then accelerated up the hill to the finish in a low gear.
It did the trick. Another star ride came from Iceni's Ian Chatten just 1.33 behind in fifth place.
Former Kona semi-pro Ross Tricker (XRT/Elmy Cycles) was never seriously challenged in the Senior race: 'He seems to find traction where no-one else can' said a rider who rode a recce lap behind Tricker before the race.
Ian Newby's fourth place overall in only his second ride of the season shows what skill can achieve on this course. Two seconds behind came reigning League Champion Tim Guy (Iceni Velo).
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Dougal Toms maintained his 100 per cent record of Youth wins, but there was tight competition behind where Patrick Manning (Gt Yarmouth CC) was just five seconds up on Josun Cole (Iceni) and Diss rider Keiran Jarvis gained his best result of the season -12th out of 40 starters. Mountain biker Sophie Wright from Horsford was top Youth Girl.
Biggest award winner at the Norwich Amateur Bicycle Club dinner was Jason Turner who needed a barrow to take away the awards he received from Olympic medallist Bryan Steel.
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Turner was club champion at 25, 30, 50, 100 miles and 12 hours, with club records at 10, 50 and 100 miles. Giovanna Bertoldi was Ladies Champion and with further rides at 50 and 100 miles won the club's newly commissioned Ladies' Best All-Rounder Shield.
Best Junior was Ryan Pell and Club Member of the Year Martyn Taylor for his work on the club website and Facebook page.
There is entry-level MTB racing at the UEA, Norwich on Sunday. See the MTB calendar at britishcycling.org.uk for further details.
Local riders finishing in the top three of their classes at the Norwich Flyers BMX Meet at Sloughbottom included Wiilliam Mills, Jared Hill, Morgan Dorrell, Eden Dorrell, Kieran Harding, Evie Harding, Paul Barnard and Alan and Abi Hill.
