In the best British result in a Junior world cyclocross championships for a long, long time, the North West’s Jonny McEvoy (Kinesis UK) placed a fantastic 13th in today’s race in Hooglede Gits.

My initial start wasn’t good; I went round the outside on the first corner and gained some places. That put me in the front 25, then I held my position round the first technical section, where all the mud was. I couldn’t see, it just came at you like a wave. An Italian went off the front, but by the first drop off I was in second spot. However I lost a few places and was down in 9th the 2nd lap. After a few sections on the road where I didn’t have a wheel to follow, that took a lot of effort and took a lot out of me.? I was satisfied with how the race went overall, I felt I had a real go, and played a part.

Click here to read more about the junior event.

In a nail biting Senior race, Wheelbase’s Rob Jebb justified his selection with a gutsy ride against the full time professionals from the Low Countries.? Jebb finished in 37th position, on the same lap as winner Erwin Vervecken, and three places behind new British champion Phil Dixon.? According to Jebb on the British Cycling website,

I knew it were gonna be hard on first couple of laps being at the back, as whoever crashes is just going to be right by you. After 2 laps I got into my own rhythm and just kept going, passing and passing and passing! I did as best as I could, I enjoyed it, it were brilliant.?

Rob Jebb (Wheelbase) saw a second podium finish at the top level cyclocross in a week as he finished third in the final round of the National Trophy on a muddy but exciting course in the grounds of Derby College.

In a repeat of the National Championships podium, Rob fought valiantly but wasn’t there at the final sprint between Nick Craig and Phil Dixon in what turned out to be a war of attrition.

Paul Oldham (Hope) topped the NW riders in the overall of the series (5th) followed by Lewis Craven (Wheelbase) (6th), Ian Bibby, (Science in Sport/Trek) (7th) and Jebb (8th), making our region the strongest in the UK !

In the other events, Duncan Stuart (www.keswickbikes.co.uk) finished 13th in the Veterans event, and Roy Hunt, (Science in Sport./Trek) finished second but took the series overall.? Marie Stuart (J), Raleigh/ERV finished 7th in the women’s race.

Craig Denning (Sports Coaching) rode a solid race to take the final round of the NWCCA league at Beacon Park by 1:37 over David Brailsford. Denning, who was riding at the Derby National Trophy the next day, lapped all but six riders.

Amongst those who stayed on the same lap were Rob Pugh (4th overall and first U23 @ 3 min 35) and new League Champion Adrian Dalgliesh (5th overall).
Carolyn Wright was first Lady, and Ray Pugh first Veteran.

Beacon Park Results (word documet)

For Photos of the prizegiving, click here

In a weekend of mudbath racing at the national championships in Southampton, Roy Hunt (SIS) again took the over 50s championship, and Rob Jebb (Wheelbase) rode to an excellent 3rd place behind Phil Dixon (SIS) and Nick Craig (Scott UK). Jebb’s position was enough to secure him a ride in the World Championships in Belgium later this month.

Click Rob’s image for some photos of the senior race by Adrian Holmes.

Click on Roy, below, to read report on Saturday’s veteran race.