The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Cycling Club were typically well-represented at the first Lincs Cyclo Cross League meeting of the season, hosted by Sleaford Wheelers.
Despite the loss of a couple of under-12 and youth category riders to other clubs, Spalding put out teams in both events.
Ben Norton opened his 2015 campaign with third overall and, in her first season of cross, Velvet Bowser crossed the line in 12th overall to take the award for second Girl.
The youth category was dominated by Spalding’s second claim members Matt Ellis and Jake Norton, riding for Sherwood Pines SRAM RT.
In the opening race the duo crossed the line in first and second places – almost four minutes ahead of third-placed Bryn Richards, of Bourne Wheelers.
Will and Ed Gurney made up the Spalding contingent in the 18-strong field – finishing 12th and 17th respectively.
As is usually the norm, the Veteran race had the biggest field with over 70 riders lining up at the start.
Adam Ellis was the first of the Spalding riders to finish in a fine eighth place.
A very fast race saw significant time gaps and many riders lapped as a group of 21 went clear.
In the back group, Shane Norton rode well to limit his losses to finish 26th – the only other Spalding rider in the top 30.
Further back, and making a welcome return to racing, was Tom Webster 45th. He was just in front of Chris Peel (47th), Chris Bettinson (55th), Gary Bentley (62nd) and new member Andy Barnard 63rd.
However, Neil Palmer’s race ended prematurely.
The last race of the day for seniors, juniors and women, was won convincingly by Graham Briggs, of the Rapha Condor pro team.
A small group of eight riders finished on the same lap – albeit with big time gaps but just enough to get past Ben Moore, who rode a fine race to finish one lap down in tenth.
A further lap down saw Sam Bentley and Andy Bowser finishing 25th and 31st respectively, while Tilly Gurney, another second claim lady member riding for Squadra Donne, took the award for third lady and 40th overall.
That was a very creditable performance for someone more at home on the Velodrome.
Tom Webster was Spalding’s only junior in the race. Like his father in the Veterans race, he has returned to racing.
He crossed the line in 45th position, taking fourth junior at the same time.
