N&DCX Round 5 - Bulwell Hall 11.10.08
MAIN EVENT:
International Dave Collins, a sponsored rider for SIS-Trek made an early dash for victory that succeeded! At the finish he had won by 66 seconds form Derby's Ben Eedy - currently the NDCXL Champion. Eedy along with Leicester’s Will Verny, Ilkeston's Geoff Giddings - 2007 League Champion and Lee Shunburne made up a chasing quartet who up to the point of almost catching Collins made the spectators think they were to see a sprint finish. Perhaps they tried too hard! The chasing group began to split up due to the pace set. Giddings couldn't keep up the speed and retired - an unusual thing for him! The others then did split up as the bell sounded for the last lap with Eedy 2nd at 66 seconds, Verny 3rd at 87 seconds and Matlock's Lee Shunburne 4th at 105 seconds.
Matlock veteran, current leader in the race for the Championship was moving up as the finish neared having had a slower start than the group in front of him and he won the veteran's category with his 6th place at 2 minutes 40 seconds. We are not certain that he realises it but in winning the race for Veteran's, he beat three of the top four in the Veteran's National Rankings. He's having a good year!
It is worth commenting that Matlock's Lee Shunburne now lies 2nd in the sport's National Rankings following another good ride in the National Trophy Series the previous Sunday. Having such a high place in the National Rankings means that Lee is automatically placed on the front row at the start of any race that he enters - a major help in SRAM-NDCXL events where his level of event usually has more than 100 on the start line.
Other local rider's positions - Matlock CC and Zepnat.com RT
7 John Shaw
8 Matt Denby
17 James Furniss
22 Phil Topliss
23 Julian Gould
33 Peter Sharkey
38 Dominic Wibberley
39 Bruce Dalton
50 Paul Dalton
70 Steve Robertson
82 Tim Kniveton
93 Peter Lomas
101 Harry Gould
YOUTH EVENT:
Matlock's John Lomas went unchallenged from the start and held the lead throughout his race. He raced particularly well. The previous Sunday he was extremely disappointed not to be able to continue in the National Trophy. He had applied warming balm to his knees before the race and although he said that he had washed his hands, he rubbed his eyes on the start line and very quickly was unable to see. The First Aid team took advice from the local hospital which then cured John's problem. Result : no points for the race.
Winona Evans was 5th under 14 year girl in her race.
UNDER 12 YEAR'S RACE:
Another victory for Matlock's Arthur Green which consolidates his lead in this particular event. When he finished, he was the recipient of an especially nice surprise. The Sales Manager of SRAM, the cycle components company that supports the League had been so impressed by Arthur's consistency in always trying his hardest that Arthur was awarded 2 full sets of all the equipment they supply plus a woolly hat. Arthur should now be the best equipped rider in his group.
Sarah Lomas won the girl's race and Holly Gould was 5th girl.
UNDER 10 YEAR'S RACE:
Matlock riders were not so highly placed in this event with Tim Elsmore-Martin placed 7th and Harry Morley 10th behind winner Scott Hookway.
Other local rider's positions - All Matlock - there are no Zepnat riders in the younger categories.
15 Thomas Webster
33 Abi Wibberley
39 Anica Taylor
40 Heidi Taylor
Next Saturday's cyclo cross race is nearer for our readers, it’s at Alfreton Leisure Centre. Events start at noon.