Cyclocross Update
The penultimate round of this winter’s North West cyclo-cross series took place at Betley Park Farm on Sunday, situated near Sandbach on the Southern boundary of the North West area.
With poor weather forecast, just a few made the journey but were pleasantly surprised to find an almost dry circuit with rain only starting mid-way through the race programme.
First up was the combined youth’s race, with Helmshore’s Elsie Haygarth making an excellent return after illness to take the final podium place in the U16 girl’s event. It was turning out to be a great day for Rossendale’s Father/Daughter teams with Dave Haygarth coming back to form with 6th in the V50 race. Nick Craig took the win from the in-form Ian Taylor, but Phil Simcock of Ramsbottom’s JMC team is currently joint overall leader of the V50 league with Andy Brindle of Horwich CC, and Simcock’s 4th place finish puts him in a good position before the final round this weekend. Daughter, Iona, finished 7th in the combined U23/Women’s event and she’s hoping to improve on her current 4th place overall.
In the men ‘s Senior race, Craig Venske is still getting to grips with different challenge of racing cyclo-cross, but his 17th place is a springboard to what he may achieve in the 2024/25 season.
In the men’s V60 event, Derek Schofield posted his best result of the season with 6th overall and confirmed his overall win in the V70 league, with one round still remaining. Adrian Watts also finished well up the field in 11th.
The final round of the series takes place at Buile Hill Park, Salford on Saturday, with racing starting at 10:15am, and the Rossendale based riders are all hoping to finish the season with top ten results.
Photos (courtesy of Adam Gee photography):
Derek Schofield taking the chequered flag
Dave Haygarth showing his class
Elsie Haygarth on the firm ground
Adrian Watts for the Rossendale club
