National Trophy Round 6 - Markeaton Park 18 / 19th Jan 09
THE NATIONAL TROPHY
YOUTH
The event was one by Derby's Sam Lowe who has improved tremendously after racing in Belgium over the Christmas period. He was second last week in the National Championships after catching up with the leaders there and attacking the group he was in as the race neared its finale and he acknowledges that he does not have a sprint finish! He took no chances on home ground and as he went away on his own as soon as the race started and gained time every lap until he was the clear winner. Sam was 7th Overall in the National Trophy Series.
Meanwhile, Matlock's John Lomas, who a season ago, was the number one challenger to winner Sam Lowe, rode a steady race to finish 18th on the day and 14th Overall in the Series.
JUNIORS
Thomas Moses, Cycle Sport, won and Matlock's Bruce Dalton had a good ride to finish 9th which gave him a position of 23rd Overall.
VETERANS
As at the National Championships, Darley's Zepnat won the Team with four of their riders in the top fourteen in the race won by the National Champion Noel Clough.
4th John Shaw
10th Steve Barnes
12th Steve Poole
14th Duncan Walmsley
Matlock had Chris Green in at 13th and Paul Dalton at 27th.
Overall their positions were: -
5th Matt Denby
7th Steve Barnes
11th Duncan Walmsley
12th John Shaw
18th Steve Poole
31st Julian Gould
33rd Chris Green
48th Paul Dalton
ELITE INTERNATIONAL
The surprise of the race was not that the new British National Champion, Jody Crawford, should win it, which he did, but that in doing so he beat Belgium International Ben Berden by 44 seconds and all the other foreign visitors. Totally unexpected by followers of the sport and the first time that Jody has so excelled himself. The win earns him International ranking points to add to his Championship points which will place him nearer the front in the World Championships at the end of this month. Matlock's Lee Shunburne overcame the muddy conditions to finish a creditable 16th and Zepnat's Rob Wimble was 29th.
On Saturday there is the Final Round of the Notts and Derby League at Watchwood Plantation, near Calverton, Notts. Matlock's youngest riders can all raise their positions and a Team win is possible.