Cyclocross visits Thornbridge

It was soggy terrain for the final cyclocross race of 2011 Nottingham and Derby league. The weather held but the ground was already waterlogged from the deluge of rain over the past few weeks. Thornbridge was the venue and the Lee Shunburne (course designer & event organiser) course was described as short but technical by the riders that braved the Derbyshire Peak District on New Years Eve.

Some big names in the sport were present taking the opportunity of one final race of 2011. Local legend, ex-Senior and current Veteran national champion Nick Craig (Scott) was victorious in the race. A field of 179 in the main race was led away by David Fletcher (Boardman Elite) and Tom Last (Sigma Sport) with Craig down in around 5th place. By lap two Craig had got across to and past Last and was chasing hard to catch Fletcher, which he did by lap 3. They stayed together for a while but as the course cut up further Craig came into his own and was able to pull away by lap, employing his usual technique of taking lines that few others use in order to find traction.

On a day with a top-class field (ex national champion Ian Bibby was a non-finisher with mechanical troubles), Notts and Derby league regulars found themselves a little further down the order than usual, the first of these being Andy Naylor (Ashfield RC) in 9th followed by Chris Metcalfe (Charge Bikes) in 10th, just behind another local Pete Middleton (Zepnat) in 8th.

Annie Last (Boardman Elite) took an anticipated victory for the women's honours, using all her technical ability to finish 28th overall after a recent break from training and competition.

The Final Results are:-

Tom Last (Sigma Sport) @ 1-21

Jim Bryan (Zepnat) @ 2-09

Lee Westwood  (Cycleshack) @3-35