Cyclo-Cross 2006 Season

14/01/07

Sunday 14th January saw the 5th and final round of the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross Series at Derby. The sun may have shone but the effect of all the recent rains was there for all to see. So it was heavy going for the competitors. The clubs only interest was evergreen Vet Graham Edwards who came in 11th on the day but did more than enough to protect his overall 7th place for the series. The +50’s event was won by Martin Booth with series winner Roy Hunt 2nd.

 

 

07/01/07

Four of Abergavenny RC Bikebase/Govilon Garage’s riders entered the National Cyclo-Cross Championships held at Southhampton Leisure Centre over two days last weekend. The riders pitted themselves against the very best in the country for medal honours. The first day of the event, Saturday, dawned wet and cold and with the course full of the recent heavy rains it was always going to be that much tougher for the competitors.

So it was the Vets and the youth riders who did battle with each other and the conditions. In the +50’s vets race Graham Edwards did his usual fast aggressive start but as the race went on was overtaken by other riders. The race was won by Roy Hunt of Trek SIS with Graham coming in a highly creditable 10th.

In the youth girls the race was hard and fast and at the finish it was Rebbecca Thompson of Evans Cycles the defending champion who won the day. The clubs Rebecca James rode an excellent race showing her strength to come home in 3rd place and the bronze medal.

On Sunday it was the womens race with the juniors racing with the senior riders. Jessica Allen was riding against the top teams many with experience in Europe this winter. So it was no surprise when Helen Wyman of Global Racing with team mate Gabriella Day took first and second. Jessica rode her usual race of total commitment to come home as 6th junior that event being won by Amy Thompson of Evans Cycles. The clubs next interest lay in the junior race with Gareth James who rode a hard steady race to come in 11th in this hard fought race.

 

 

30/12/06

Another year and another successful season for the Abergavenny RC Cyclo-cross enthusiasts! The Welsh season finished before Christmas but while some took to hibernation, others are out braving the conditions preparing for the National Championships in early January. Good luck Graham, Gareth & Rebecca James.

The Welsh season concluded under the sunshine of Cardiff's Blackweir Park where the club youngsters led the league honours for another year. This year, however, we were delighted to see some astonishingly talented new riders mixing it with our regulars – congratulations to Sam Beckingsale and Elliot Coles who took Gold and Silver in the Under 12 boys – Sam in particular impressed with a number of dominant victories in his maiden season. Elliot took third of the boys at the final, just giving him enough points to snatch second spot.

Not to be outdone by the boys, Ffion James challenged for the overall Under 10 girls title right up to the last event, narrowly missing out to Emily Haycox of the Maindy Flyers. The two have fought nail & tooth all season, but Ffion is comfortable with her Silver medal knowing she has another year in the Under 10’s next season. Not to be outdone by big sister, six year old Megan James displayed her usual determination and grit, sticking out her elbows and mixing it with the older competitors to snatch seventh overall in the girls. Also mixing it in the under 10’s was newcomer Evan Lane – officially the ‘kid with the biggest grin’ and looking to challenge Megan for supremacy in the ‘most successful youngest club rider’ category!

In the Youth category, the newly crowned Welsh Champion Gareth Sheppard proved his summer break from the sport re-ignited his enthusiasm by claiming the silver medal behind Jack Llewellyn. Gareth thrilled spectators at the Welsh Championships by taking the event to the line, narrowly beating Jack after a last lap tussle and taking the 2006 title. Another highlight for the club in this category was Ellis Lane who made his racing debut this season and is officially ‘chuffed to bits’ with cyclo-cross and being a member of the top club!!! Other club competitors in the highly competitive Youth category were Bobby Coles whose consistency carried him to 8th overall in the under 16’s – an excellent achievement he will look to improve on next season when he still qualifies for this category.

Becky James proved her extraordinary bike handling skills as she dabbled with the sport through the season but her commitments to the Olympic Development Track Programme saw her league challenge curtailed by trips to compete in International events at Manchester Velodrome. Becky still managed a couple of victories along the way, showing many of the regulars just how competitive this category is. Becky's brother Gareth and Jessica Allen (another inductee to the Olympic Programme) both missed events due to Track racing commitments but both shone on occasion to prove their competitive introduction to racing in ‘cross has not been forgotten.

Moving up to the Seniors category we have seen Guy Stevens drop into the occasional event to top up his off season training – third position at the atrocious conditions of the Newport Velodrome was an excellent result. We have also seen newcomer Nick Lane join this hugely competitive category – expressing his delight at being able to contest the same events as the guys belting around near the front. Nick’s enthusiasm proves cyclo-cross is accessible to anyone with a competitive instinct.

Finally we move to the Vets. Carl Brancher continued this year where he left the last, steadily making his way forward in the Veterans category where numbers now exceed the Seniors! Graham Edwards missed out in the Welsh League after committing to another season of National Trophy competition. So far Graham has claimed eighth at Cheltenham, seventh at Ipswich, sixth at Mallory Park, fifth at Bradford and if he continues the trend leading up to the National Championships… Southampton should see a good result for the ‘Ever Ready’ rider with the course being similar to Abergavenny where he took a Trophy win two seasons ago and where adverse conditions could play into his hands.

So with the season (almost) over and the Welsh titles sorted it remains for me to thank everyone who helped in our promotion of the Scott League event at the Leisure Centre in October where we were fortunate to see the Commonwealth Games Mountain Bike Champion Liam Killen turn up to stretch his legs. Another excellent event did not go un-noticed as the club are privileged to have been asked by British Cycling to promote the opening round of the National Trophy series next year! The committee has agreed with one condition – after the record number of youngsters at our event this season (in Wales, ever!), next year we need to see twice as many in the bright red shirts of Abergavenny Road Club/Bikebase/Govilon Garage. Here’s to a busy summer then.

The final round results at Blackweir Park Cardiff:

• Graham Edwards 2nd Vet
• Gareth James 3rd Junior
• Carl Brancher 9th Vet
• Gareth Sheppard 3rd under 14
• Bobby Coles 8th under 16
• Sam Beckingsale 2nd under 12
• Elliot Coles 4th under 12
• FFion James 3rd under 10

After 11 hard fought rounds the clubs overall standings are:

• Garth James 2nd Junior
• Carl Brancher 6th Vet
• Gareth Sheppard 2nd Under 14
• Bobby Coles 6th Under 16
• Sam Beckingsale 1st Under 12
• Elliot Coles 2nd Under 12
• Ffion James 2nd Under 10
• Megan James 7th Under 10 Girl

 

 

10/12/06

On what is now becoming the usual squally, windy conditions Graham Edwards ventured north to Bradford on Sunday for the penultimate round of the National Trophy cyclo-cross where he once again pitted himself against the best over 50’s in the country. In a fine race he battled his way to come in 5th place to gain 7th overall with just one race to go.

Closer to home round 10 of the Welsh League was run at Leckwith Stadium Cardiff. It was a day of second places with many riders just missing out on first spot. In the under 12’s Sam Beckingsale just lost out on a first place and likewise Ffion James came in 2nd in the under 10 girls. Sister Megan came in 6th. Also in the under 12’s Elliot Coles gained a 4th place. Gareth Sheppard once again showed his high and consistent form by gaining 2nd in the under 14’s with Bobby Coles riding a good race for 4th in the under 16’s. So it was up to Jessica Allen to give the club its customary first place and she duly obliged by being the 1st Junior girl home and 2nd lady in the Senior race. Carl Brancher gave his best performance of the year by finishing 6th in the vets event. A highly creditable achievement. Nick Lane in his first season continued on his upward learning curve by coming home 34th.

 

 

03/12/06

It was the worst of days that faced the riders on Sunday for the Welsh Cyclo-Cross Champs. Heavy rain and gales however did not deter the clubs riders with four gaining podium places. In the under 12 boys Sam Beckingsale was just pipped to second place by Geraint Manley of Maindy Flyers but it was Gareth Sheppard who stole the limelight by continuing his improvement in form to become the first of the clubs champions in the Under 14’s. In the under 10 girls Ffion james was just out of the medals being just beaten by a trio of Maindy Flyer’s riders who filled the first 3 places. Her sister Megan coming home in 7th. The clubs next Champion was Rebbecca James who powered home to win the under 16’s girls race comfortably. In the over 50’s race evergreen Graham Edwards showed his consistence form by riding home in 2nd place for the silver medal.

 

 

27/11/06

It was a waterlogged course that greeted the 12 riders of Abergavenny RC Bikesbase/Govilon Garage for the 9th round of the Welsh Cyclo-Cross League this Sunday. Their enthusiasm was not dampened however by the appalling conditions as all gave of their best. First off was the under 12’s with Sam Beckinsale showing his superior fitness and skills once again by winning his event outright. Elliot Coles also picked up some form to come home a very creditable 4th. In the under 10’s it was girls who took the first two places with FFion James just being pipped to the post by Emily Haycox in an epic and closely fought race. Younger sister Megan put in a useful 8th with Lowri Thomas picking up 11th under 10 girl. She is beginning to pick up some form now in only her 3rd race .Brother Rhys came home in 17th place.

In the Youth race Gareth Sheppard's dogged persistence throughout the series finally paid off with an overall 4th place and 1st place in the under 14’s. It was good to see the young Gareth get some reward for a season off hard work and concentration on his sport.

In the senior race it was Guy Stevens who set off to show what he could do with a ride in which he worked his way up to third and held that place right through to the finish. Gareth James took much the same approach with his 5th overall and 1st place junior. It was however Graham Edwards who showed us what he could do with a display of power. In the early stages he was in the bunch but decided to attack the leaders with a display of strong riding he lifted himself to 4th overall by mid–distance, a place which he held to the finish and give himself 1st place veteran. Carl Brancher also had a much improved race coming home as 8th place veteran - his best performance so far. New senior Nick Lane rode a steady race to come in 34th.

Graham Edwards lifted by his success in Newport then drove down the M4 to Castle Combe to take part in another cyclo-cross event on Sunday afternoon in which he achieved 11th place overall.

 

 

19/11/06

Abergavenny RC riders featured in both the Welsh Cyclo Cross League and the National Trophy Series last weekend. Everygreen over 50’s rider Graham Edwards continued to show consistent form with a 7th place against the best veterans in the country at Mallory Park in the Midlands.

Nearer home it was the 8th round of The Welsh Cyclo-Cross League at the Show Ground in Builth Wells. The first race on a shortened course was for under the 12’s and it was Sam Beckinsale who took up from where he left off last week with an outright win. What is almost becoming a weekly dual between Ffion James and Emily Haycox continued in the under 10 girls with Emily just winning from Ffion this week. Lowri Thomas and brother Rhys in only their second week of racing were 5th girl and 15th. Elliot Cole was 10th in the under 12’s. Consistency was the also the name of the game in the youth race with Gareth Sheppard 2nd and never being out of the top three all through the series. Bobby Coles had a good ride to finish 5th in the under 16’s.

In the senior race Jessica Allen was once again 2nd women and 1st junior girl with Carl Brancher 9th vet. Nick Lane in his first cyclo-cross event was 14th vet. So 10 riders in all took part with 2 firsts and 2 seconds.

 

 

11/11/06

The 7th round of the Welsh Cyclo-Cross League was held at Abergavenny Leisure Centre. There was a full field of riders in all catergories including British Olympic squad and Commonwealth Games MTB gold medallist rider Liam Kileen. The day was fine with a light warm breeze and no sign of rain.

Using the short course it was the under 12’s who set the event off at 11.00am. It was the club’s first success of the day when FFion James came home 1st in the 10’s and under to take overall and 1st girl. Sister Megan was 8th girl with 2 newcomers Lowri Thomas and younger brother Rhys 12 and 18th. Sam Beckingsdale nearly made it a double but went off course when comfortably in the lead but rode a hard race to lift himself back to 2nd. The under 12’s being won by Thomas Fry of Maindy Flyers with Sam 2nd and Elliot Cole 6th. In the youth race Sam Harrison of Newport Phoenix rode home first with Abergavenny’s Rebecca James in 2nd and 1st girl. Bobby Coles was 8th. Gareth Sheppard showed his consistent form with a 2nd place in the under 14’s.

So it was on to the senior race. It was no surprise when Liam Kileen clawed his way into the lead but he had to catch Graham Edwards first who made a meteoric start, closely followed by CC Abergavenny’s Lee Williams and Julian Winn. However class finally told and the gap went to well over a minute with Julian snapping at Lees heels to finish 2 min down on the leader. Club rider Guy finished a highly creditable 8th. Martin Eadon was 1st vet with Graham Edwards 5th and Carl Brancher 13th vet. The junior race was won by rising star Ben Roach.

 

 

05/11/06

The 6th round of the Welsh Cyclo-Cross League took place at Margam Park. The club had the usual high turnout with 10 riders competing. The first success came in the under 12’s race with Elliot Coles coming home 2nd, followed by Ffion James who was once again 1st girl home in the under 10’s. Sister Megan rode in 7th. In the youth race there was some stiff competion for Rebbecca James who still came home 2nd girl in the under 16’s. Bobby Coles was 7th, with Gareth Sheppard 2nd in the under 14’s. In the senior race 5th place and 1st junior went to Gareth James with Graham Edwards 3rd Vet and Jessica Allen 2nd women and 1st Junior Woman.

 

 

29/10/06

Club riders were in action in two major cyclo-cross events this weekend. Graham Edwards travelled to Ipswich for the 2nd round of the National Trophy Series. He improved on his last round 9th place by coming in a highly creditable 7th in an intensely competitive event.

Closer to home at Pontypool Park, Newport Phoenix hosted the 5th round of the Welsh Cyclo-Cross League. The club had no less than 10 riders entered in this event. Jessica Allen was the 1st rider to get on the leader board with 1st women in the senior race. The next to gain a 1st was Elliot Coles who came home top in the under 12’s. FFion James rode to a win in the Under 10’s with her sister Megan in 8th place. Other sister Rebecca rode to 3rd place in the under 16’s girls in her first cross race of the season. Bobby Coles was 9th. In the under 14’s race Gareth Sheppard carried on his great form but was just pipped to 2nd place in a hard and close race. In the senior race Gareth James was 5th Junior with Owen Davies 22nd and Carl Brancher 11th vet.

 

 

22/10/06

Round 4 of the Welsh Cyclo Cross league was held at Risca Leisure Centre on Sunday 22nd Oct. 8 riders from Abergavenny RC took the short journey to the event run by Cwmcarn Paragon. The most exciting finish of the day came with Ffion James and Emily Haycox of Maindy Flyers dominating. The judges, unable to separate the two in their final dash for the line, had to award both equal 1st in their catergory.

Ffion's younger sister, Megan, rode to 6th place. Not to be outdone, Elliot Coles rode home comfortably to gain 2nd. In the youth event Bobby Coles managed 10th.

The club had 4 riders in the main race with Guy Stevens, in his first cyclo cross race in 2 years, placing 3rd having been part of the leading group since the gun. In form Gareth James rode strongly to take the junior title and 5th overall. In the vets Graham Edwards was again home in 3rd. Finally, Carl Brancher came 13th vet.

 

 

15/10/06

The 8th Oct saw the 1st round of the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross take place at Cheltenham. The Clubs only entry was the over 50’s Graham Edwards. On a warm, dry but windy day the leaders set an almost suicidal pace which left many good riders struggling to stay in contention. Taking this into account Graham had an excellent race, taking 9th place, 2mins 46 secs down on the winner Roy Hunt of Science in Sport.

Meanwhile 8 club riderswere in Newbridge for the 2nd round of the Welsh Cyclo Cross League. The clubs best rider and his best performance so far was Gareth James who, despite still being a Junior, beat many experienced senior riders to take 3rd overall and win the Junior race. Jessica Allen rode a hard steady race to come in 2nd women and 1st Junior Women. Carl Brancher picking up his beginners good form from last year came a creditable 7th in the vets event. In the under 16’s youth race Gareth Sheppard was 4th and 2nd under 14 with Bobby Coles 7th under 14. The clubs best result was in the under 12’s with Eliot Coles winning overall with a stunning performance and Ffion James coming in 2nd under 10 girls.

A special mention must go to sister Megan James who despite a chain coming off fought very hard with grit and determination to get back to 6th in the girls under 10 race.

The following week on Sunday 15th Oct it saw the 3rd round at Penlan sports Field Brecon. In the main race Graham Edwards came in 3rd Vet with Gareth James 3rd Junior. Jessica Allen showing her consistent form took 1st Junior Women with Carl Brancher 11th in the vets event. In the youth race Gareth Sheppard raced to 3rd under 14 with Bobby Coles gaining 7th pace in the under 16’s race. In the under 12’s race Elliot Coles was 4th with Ffion James showing her continued form coming in 3rd in the under 10’s race with sister Megan in 8th place. All together a good couple of weeks for the clubs cyclo-cross riders with 7 riders in top ten placings in both events.

 

 

02/10/06 Cyclo-cross opening events

The cyclo-cross season opened on 24th Sept with the 3 Peaks Challenge. The 61km race set in the North Yorkshire Dales includes over 2000m of climbing, taking in the peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-Y-Ghent. Over 400 riders attempted the race with 326 finishers. Amongst those were club riders Owen Davies and Huw Davies, finishing 76th and 105th respectively.

• 1st Rob Jebb 3 hrs 56 secs
• 76th Owen Davies 4 hrs 18min 29secs
• 105th Huw Davies 4 hrs 33 min 56 secs

On Oct 1st the opening round of the Welsh Cyclo-Cross League was held at BrynBach Park, Tredegar. The weather was appalling with heavy downpours and high winds. This did not deter 5 club riders from racing. Evergreen Graham Edwards, a +50 Vet, came home 9th in the Senior race and 3rd Vet. Carl Brancher was a creditable 22nd overall. Jessica Allen was 1st woman and 27th overall. In the under 12’s, FFion James was 6th and 2nd girl and her younger sister, Megan, was 21st and 4th girl.