Cyclocross – National Trophy Series Report – Southampton

Mid Devon CC sent a crack team of intrepid veteran bike racers to the first round of the National Trophy Series at Southampton on Sunday. Alan Drury, Andrew Parker (vet 40) Ben Tisdall and Robin Delve (vet 50) took to the start line in the highly competitive events which bring together the country’s top racers with full fields of 60 riders in each event. The start list featured National and World cyclo cross champions as well as legends Tim Gould and Chris Young

The course was very dry and fast and whilst the course was technical there were no decisive features. In cyclo cross races are won and lost at the very fast starts and with the gridding based on last year’s rankings we were consigned to the third row and beyond we would have our work cut out. As predicted when the whistle blew the riders were soon red lining it and charging towards the first feature at 300 metres. After several laps of lung bursting activity Andrew Parker had made up ground as was lying in 11^th place whilst Ben was unfortunate to get way laid by a slow rider crashing in front of him.

The final result after much thrashing around was 14^th places for Robin and Andrew,  36^th for Ben and 51^st for Alan. Attention now turns to the next round of the SW series at Escot Park.