Members of the Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Racing Team racing team were in action again on the mainland at the weekend.
Oli Nolan and Finley Manser-Grundy travelled to Prospect Park, Reading to compete in the 3rd Round of the Wessex CX League.
Juvenile Finley, who is only 6 years old, was first up racing for the first time in CX. The race was over 10 mins long, with the course set round a wooden area with some challenging climbs and technical corners that needed lots of attention to gear choice and very few places to recover. Finley started at the back of the grid due to him not being seeded in the series before, however he got off to a great start and worked his way through the field of 30 plus riders. Finley constantly gained places and was just off the front group of riders in the last couple of minutes. He finished the race in 6th overall and loved the close racing.
Dad, Jack, says:
“This was a terrific result for his first event and it was great to see the level of competition and style of racing. Finley left wanting to race more and will be back soon for more league fixtures”.
The course conditions for the Senior race were mostly dry in places with a few muddy, greasy sections. The venue is a familiar one to the riders with a well-established route that features plenty of climbing coupled with some fast off-camber descents. Starting on the second row of the grid, Oli got off to a decent start, running just outside the top 5. He had a good battle throughout the hour-long race with a few other riders, crossing the line in his best result of 5th place, thus earning a spot on the Wessex podium!
Oli says:
“The course suited me really well with lots of climbing and opportunities for fast, exciting racing. I’m super happy to achieve my best ever cyclocross result, and can’t wait for the next round. Thanks Reading CC for putting on a fantastic event!”
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James Veal travelled further afield to Wareham, in Dorset to compete in the Portmore Classic Road Race, a traditional end of season race held on the fast and undulating Monkey World circuit consisting of 5 laps of the 10.2 mile course. Racing in both the Open class and Veteran 40+ category, James made a great start and was in the front group rounding the sharp hairpin bend, however contact with a small pothole caused an instant front wheel puncture and without any neutral service this put an end to his race.
After the race James said:
“I had prepared really well for this race and felt a podium was definitely achievable after a previous 4th place. I know the course well and the windy conditions really suited me, punctures are part of racing, but this one was particularly disappointing.’
