Wessex League Cyclocross - Round 6, North Hants RC, 12 October
Round six and winter is coming. A definite chill in the air at Basingstoke and although the course wasn't muddy, it was wet underfoot and made for some tentative racing in the technical sections. This year it seems to be an unwritten rule that every promoter changes the course from the previous season and it was no different at the War Memorial Park. Although most of the tricky bits: the big bank, the tight off-camber turns and the wooded section complete with bmx track still featured, the direction was switched round and there was more flat circuits round the football pitches with a couple of dismounts for boards and a mini spiral (we do love a spiral). Racing for Sotonia Vets were Phil Connell, Simon Guard and John Phillips. In the Seniors we had Darren Sell.
Another hundred plus starters in the vets with split start for the v40s first and chaos thanks to some pretty strange commissairing that led to the race start before most riders were even ready and resulted in both Phil and Simon slipping back in the opening sprint. However they worked well together to reduce the deficit and were looking good after two laps. All three of our vets finished well with Phil 23rd, Simon 34th and John 21st in the v50 category. There was a pretty large field of over 50 for the seniors too with Darren finishing in 47th place.
Next week we're off to Reading - hope to see all you crossers there!
Full results are here
Jez Hart's pics of the action are here
Wessex League Cyclocross – Round 5 Fareham, 5 October
It was fine weather once again and not a hint of mud for round 5 of Wessex League Cyclocross season at Fairthorne Manor, organised by Fareham Wheelers for the second year (conditions will surely be more 'traditional' cross for the return visit Fairthorne in December!)
The action kicked off with the under 12s, with George Connell appearing in his first race for Sotonia and vowing to return... so long as the post race conker pickings are as bountiful next time!
Five Sotonia vets lined up in another huge field of 120 riders - Jon Dudley, Phil Connell, Martin Ward, Jon Phillips and a welcome return by Simon Guard after injury. The start was split by age group with the v40s starting first and Phil led the team, showing that his recent french cheese binge hadn't slowed him down too much. The course was similar to last year with large flat grass fields, technical wooded section, bankings and a small but hungry sand pit to trip up the unwary.
In the senior race was Tom Budden who was in good form, taking 25th place in a field of 52.
Jez Hart's pics of the action can be found here
Graham Robins' pics are here
Wessex League provisional results are here
Wessex League Cyclocross - Round 1 Newbury RC, 6 September
After nine months wait, the cross season started with a bang at Mary Hare School, Newbury. Early fixtures are often warm, dry affairs and this was no different. What was different, was the course - the builders pretty much reversed last years' route for a tough and technical challenge.
Starting things off with a long sprint accross the top of the playing fields, the riders took a fast left and started the rise that preceeded an up and down 6ft banking then on to an 11% climb to get the lactic pumping. The following bumpy descent was a prelude for a series of technical dead turns around the trees with a bit of off-camber thrown in, then three evil switchbacks again set on a wicked gradient. The 'recovery' was next as riders bounced their way down the edge of the large fields, then more twisty turny stuff around the trees, dismount for the barriers, a short sand section, yet more tight twisty tree turns, several on banking then into a spiral and finishing off on the start straight to the finish line. So, still the biggest circuit in the league at 1.4 miles and definitely tougher than last years version.
The vets race had a predicted huge and quality field of 118 (including a current cross world champion, Dave McMullen) and had a split start as a result. Over 50s, women and juniors were first, followed two minutes later by the 40-49s. Lining up for Sotonia was Jez Hart and three newcomers to cross - Rob Tomlinson, Mike McLachlan and our first female racer of recent times - Gemma Wilks - welcome and chapeau to all of you for taking the plunge!
After being gridded near the front, Jez soon paid for keeping pace with the top boys (the Hill of Pain didn't help) and the next two laps were regroup time as he recovered. Then just as he started to move back up through the field, his handlebars decided they would work their way loose leaving him with a choice - steer or brake - a bit of running/comedy bar juggling got him to the end in 24th place in the v40s.
Rob's race sounded like he had a blast - took a couple of tumbles but loved it, another cross convert, finishing 39th. Oh, and our world champion didn't have everything his way - tangling with a lapped back marker on the hill and both riders landing in a heap - only in cross!
In the senior race (51 starters), Sotonia had the other half of the Wilks family cycling dynasty - Phil, along with Darren Sell and Dan Sahota. The pace was ferocious and Phil was up to 18th after 2 laps. He went on to finish 31st with Darren in 47th, Dan having to pull out with a mechanical early on.
Full results can be found here
Winchester Crit, 17 August
The Winchester City Centre Crit races saw three Sotonia riders take the line in the 4th Cat race - Dan Edwards, Phil Wilks and Paul Ransom.
The game plan was to stay up the front at all costs, due to the technical nature of the course. A good start left Dan in third position and towards the end of the first lap he made his move gaining a reasonable lead on the two chasers and the group; unfortunately owing to a serious accident, the race was neutralised and then stopped on the second lap.
After the injured rider was treated, the race was then restarted with a shortened duration of 10mins plus two laps. Dan decided that he would just gun it from the start and try to stay away. He made his move just before the technical section and quickly made a gap, about halfway through, a rider from VC St Raphael began to bridge over but suffered a mechanical and had to drop out of the race, leaving Dan to continue alone.
It wasn't until the final lap that Phil managed to bridge up to the leader and they fought a neck and neck sprint up the high street with Dan just taking the win by a wheel and a Sotonia 1-2! Both Phil and Dan gained 3rd cat promotions too, which is brilliant!
Behind The Bikeshed Summer Series 12 - Thruxton, 12 August
There was a big field of 80 for the 3/4 race at the final round of the Behind The Bikeshed Summer Series at Thruxton race circuit. Will Weynberg of Sotonia went into the race in the lead, needing only to finish above his nearest rival to secure a hard earned series win. Sotonia's two other riders in the race James Peckham and Rob Tomlinson played the perfect team mates as Rob kept Will out of trouble and James closed down any dangerous breaks.
Consequently, no one got away and then Will Weynberg did what he does best by winning the bunch sprint to take the series in style and also secure promotion to 2nd category in his first year of racing. Well done Will - brilliant riding!
Results here
August Family Fun Ride, 3 August 2014
Another great turnout for our monthly Family Fun Ride again in the New Forest today. After an unexpected rain cloud moved on at the start, the weather was soon all blue skies again as our ride took on the 6 and 11 mile forest trail routes in Deny's Wood near Brockenhurst.
As an added bonus today, the ride was followed by a skills session for the young (and not so young) riders. The obstacle course supplied by Penny and featuring slalom, bottle carrying, balance area, bridge and fearsome limbo bars to squeeze under was LOVED by the kids who all competed to try for a 'clear round', judged by Commissaire Connell. The following prize presentation was also a big hit with the youngsters who all displayed impressive handling skills on the tricky course.
Everyone agreed this was a great addition to our growing youth rides - can't wait for the next one! :)
Pics of the action can be found here
Sotonia Winchester Crit Races Results, 20 July
4th Cats
| Pos | Name | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Fleming | BAD Tri |
| 2 | Daniel Edwards | Sotonia CC |
| 3 | Phil Wilks | Sotonia CC |
| 4 | Ben Scott-Munden | Sotonia CC |
| 5 | Liam Keynes | Odiham Cycling Club |
| 6 | Mark Greenwood | Army Cycling Union |
| 7 | Adam Meads | Thames Velo |
| 8 | James Thomas | Southampton University RC |
| 9 | Lee Benson | Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club |
| 10 | Thomas Rutter | Cheltenham & County CC |
| 11 | Rob Hardyman | North Hampshire RC |
| 12 | Scott Cole | VC Bristol Webbs of Warmley |
| 13 | Paul Ransom | Sotonia CC |
| 14 | Chris Brooks | Southampton University RC |
| 15 | David Deady | Sotonia CC |
| 16 | Daniel Baker | |
| 17 | Edward Wu | Sotonia CC |
| 18 | Mr Tom Wheeler | Cycle Club Basingstoke |
| 19 | Mr Joe White | Southampton University RC |
| 20 | Mr Benjamin Skelton | London Dynamo |
Womens E/1/2/3/4
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Megan Chard | M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports | A |
| 2 | Ruby Chappell | Behind The Bikeshed | 2nd |
| 3 | Sophie-Jo Wylie-Morris | M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports | A |
| 4 | Florence Collyer-Powell | Southampton University RC | 3rd |
| 5 | Jennifer Powell | Cheltenham & County CC | 3rd |
| 6 | Jennifer Goddard | Hargroves Cycles CC | 3rd |
| 7 | Lili McLean | Felt-Colbornes-Hargroves RT | 2nd |
| 8 | Gemma Stuart | Performance Cycles | 3rd |
| 9 | Alicia Love | Southampton University RC | N/A |
| 10 | Emily Lyons | Zappi's Racing Team | 4th |
| 11 | Charlotte Sampson | Bournemouth Arrow CC | 3rd |
| 12 | Sophie Taylor | M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports | A |
3rd Cats
| Pos | Name | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Pickett | Velo Club Venta |
| 2 | Oliver Yates | Royal Navy & Royal Marines |
| 3 | Simon Jodrell | Odiham Cycling Club |
| 4 | Trevor Smith | Cotswold Veldrijden |
| 5 | Jamie Newall | Pedal Heaven Colbornes RT |
| 6 | Pete Beilby | Primera-UK-Biking |
| 7 | James Franklin | Velo Club Venta |
| 8 | Bill Hawkes | Thanet RC |
| 9 | Alexander Clayton | Southampton University RC |
| 10 | Gary Brooks | Kenilworth Wheelers CC |
| 11 | James Cobb | London Dynamo |
| 12 | Christian Hatton | VC St Raphael |
| 13 | Ben Bradley | Southdown Velo |
| 14 | Jon Shillingford | Thames Velo |
| 15 | Ashley Morris | Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club |
| 16 | Kevin Foster | Wightlink LCM Systems Cycle RT |
| 17 | Joshua Dugdale | |
| 18 | Martin Rowland | Poole Whls CC |
| 19 | Ian Hayden | Wightlink LCM Systems Cycle RT |
| 20 | James Peckham | Sotonia CC |
E/1/2/3
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew Clarke | London Dynamo | 2nd |
| 2 | Calum Gillespie | Cycleworks.co.uk | 2nd |
| 3 | Justin Hoy | Felt-Colbornes-Hargroves RT | Elite |
| 4 | Rob Sharland | Kingston Whls CC | 1st |
| 5 | Andy Shackel | Team Wiggle | 2nd |
| 6 | George Stainton-Ellis | Team Dassi | 2nd |
| 7 | Stuart Williams | Beeline Bicycles RT | 2nd |
| 8 | Anthony Anderson | Sigma Sport.co.uk | A |
| 9 | David Billings | VC St Raphael | 2nd |
| 10 | Cameron Thompson | VC St Raphael | 2nd |
| 11 | Brook Elgie | Peter Hansford Racing | 2nd |
| 12 | Charlie Leech | Southampton University RC | 2nd |
| 13 | Andrew Carter | Portsmouth North End CC | 2nd |
| 14 | Graham Austin | VC Meudon | 2nd |
| 15 | Paul Butler | PB Cycle Coaching Racing Team | 2nd |
| 16 | James Cooper | Rock N Road Cycles | 2nd |
| 17 | David Bird | London Phoenix CC | 2nd |
| 18 | Daniel Stephens | Rock N Road Cycles | 2nd |
U16 Boys
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony Anderson | Sigma Sport.co.uk | A |
| 2 | Lewis Martin | Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club | A |
| 3 | Alex Collins | Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club | A |
| 4 | Charlie Cooper | I-Team Cyclists' Club | A |
| 5 | Thamana Nel | I-Team Cyclists' Club | A |
| 6 | Alexander Cross | Oakley Pedalers | A |
U14 Boys
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charley Calvert | Bournemouth Arrow CC | B |
| 2 | Ieuan Woods | Charlotteville CC | B |
| 3 | Will Cooper | I-Team Cyclists' Club | B |
| 4 | Lewis Haller | Charlotteville CC | B |
| 5 | Thomas Munday | Portsmouth North End CC | B |
| 6 | Samuel Clark | I-Team Cyclists' Club | B |
U12 Boys
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owen Giles | Portsmouth North End CC | C |
| 2 | Jude Beaton | I-Team Cyclists' Club | C |
| 3 | Matthew Day | Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club | C |
| 4 | Euan Taylor | M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports | C |
| 5 | Freddie Horner | Behind The Bikeshed | C |
| 6 | Andrew McNaughton | C |
U10 Boys
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Wylie-Morris | M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports... | D |
| 2 | Oliver Emment | Hillingdon Slipstreamers | D |
| 3 | Jack Webb | 1st Chard Whls | D |
| 4 | Kyle Jones | Maindy Flyers Youth CC | D |
| 5 | Jamie Whitcher | Solent Pirates | D |
| 6 | Taylor Evans | Hillingdon Slipstreamers | D |
| 7 | Marshall Thompson | Andover Whls | D |
| 8 | Dylan Davison | Solent Pirates | D |
U8 Boys
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Brown | Palmer Park Velo RT | E |
| 2 | Pascal Giret | Hillingdon Slipstreamers | E |
| 3 | Edward Charles | Charlotteville CC | E |
U16 Girls
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Megan Chard | M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports | A |
| 2 | Caitlin Shaw | M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports | A |
| 3 | Sophie-Jo Wylie-Morris | M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports | A |
| 4 | Victoria Lovett | I-Team Cyclists' Club | A |
| 5 | Sophie Taylor | M and D Cycles/Scimitar Sports | A |
U14 Girls
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caitlin Peters | Fareham Wheelers | B |
U12 Girls
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freya Richardson | Portsmouth North End CC | C |
U10 Girls
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elena Day | Solent Pirates | D |
U8 Girls
| Pos | Name | Club | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Livia Kersley | Andover Whls | E |
| 2 | Evelyn Mills | Andover Whls | E |
| 3 | Isla Knight | Andover Whls | E |
Sotonia Winchester Crit Races report, 20 July
Phew! Well, with 140 riders taking part including 44 juniors aged 8 and up, I think we can safely say that Sotonia's first crit race event at the great little Winchester Park & Ride circuit was a MASSIVE success! Huge thanks go to Penny Cossburn and Phil Connell who kept the constant flow of competitors rolling and to the commissaries Mick Metcalf, Simon Hall and Andy Corkill doing stirling work to process results quickly - a hard but rewarding days work by everyone involved.
It was a hot and sweltering day in Winchester with another big Sotonia turnout of seven riders in the 4th cat race. From what I could see of the action from the sign on, Phil Wilks went straight to the front with Jon Wren and pulled the lead group clear - a sign of things to come as Phil was clearly enjoying himself and seemed to drive the pace for much of the race. The final lap saw the second group get lapped on the finish line to give the judges a headache. But when the dust settled, Dan Edwards emerged with second place and Phil was rewarded for his hard work with 3rd place. Provisional results have Ben Scott-Munden a very smart 4th after some astute tactical riding by the youngster, Paul Ransom 13th, Dave Deady 15th and Ed Wu 17th. Jon Wren after a strong start was forced to retire, still feeling his injuries from the last race.
The third cat race had an even bigger field of 33 and included newly promoted James Peckham. James followed Phil's lead by driving the early action from the front. After several laps, James found himself gapped from the lead group of 11 and a second chase group of five was formed. James continued to do the lions share of the work to bridge the gap and his gutsy riding was rewarded when he made contact again with 3 laps to go. Inevitably, the pace rocketed with 2 laps to go and Andy Picket of VC Venta took a flyer, holding off the bunch to take the win. James rolled in around 13th place - a fine result for his first 3rd cat race.
The womens race, had an impressive turnout of 14 riders and was won by Megan Chard, with Ruby Chappell second and Sophie Jo Wylie-Morris in third.
The main event of the E/1/2/3 was a fast but cagey affair with club member, Brook Elgie, riding for Hansfords, animating the bunch in the early stages with some strong riding. A few late break attempts were made but it came down to the final lap with the victory going to Matt Clark of London Dynamo, Brook finishing a creditable 11th in a top quality field.
Next up is the VC Venta road race next Sunday (27th) for Tim Dawkins, James Peckham and Jez Hart. Onwards and upwards Sotonia - this club is going places!
Full results: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/106688/Sotonia-Criterium#results
Graham Robins' awesome race pics can be found here
Results - Sotonia Summer Road Race, 6 July
Full Results
| Pos | Name | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steven Roach | BC Private Member |
| 2 | Edward Sutton | Wightlink LCM Systems Cycle RT |
| 3 | Rowan Horner | VC St Raphael |
| 4 | Adam Capes | Finchley Racing Team |
| 5 | Ben Carty | Felt-Colbornes-Hargroves RT |
| 6 | James Davey | Mid Devon CC |
| 7 | James Ellmore | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
| 8 | Cameron Austin | Look Mum No Hands! |
| 9 | Nigel Williams | Python Racing Team |
| 10 | Toby Parnell | Cambridge CC |
| 11 | Robert Ward | Felt-Colbornes-Hargroves RT |
| 12 | Andy Brown | Glasgow Cycle Team |
| 13 | Kris Jasper | Falco Racing |
| 14 | Hugh Knudsen | Team Tor 2000 |
| 15 | James Archibald | G.S. Henley |
| 16 | Ewan Tuohy | Catford CC Equipe/Banks |
| 17 | Gavin Francis | London Dynamo |
| 18 | Charlie Leech | Southampton University RC |
| 19 | Nick Spencer-Vellacott | CC London |
| 20 | Hugo Crabb | Tri UK |
| 21 | Simon Ker | Bath Cycling Club |
| 22 | Brook Elgie | Peter Hansford Racing |
| 23 | Chris Hutchings | Velo Club Venta |
| 24 | Carl Silver | Bournemouth Jubilee Whls |
| 25 | James Peckham | Sotonia CC |
| 26 | Grant Smith | Crest Cycling Club |
| 27 | Douglas Tandy | Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club |
| 28 | James Leach | Imperial Racing Team |
| 29 | Chris Courage | Bournemouth Jubilee Whls |
| 30 | Thomas Key | Southampton University RC |
| 31 | Mark Valentine | Poole Wheelers CC |
| 32 | Henry Nelson | Southampton University RC |
| 33 | Ian Hayden @ 1 lap | Wightlink LCM Systems Cycle RT |
| 34 | Tim Butt @ 1 lap | Banbury Star CC |
| 35 | Timothy Dawkins @ 1 lap | Sotonia CC |
| 36 | Scott Michaels @ 1 lap | Southampton University RC |
| 37 | Paul Ransom @ 1 lap | Sotonia CC |
| 38 | Javier Arias Gonzalez @ 1 lap | Kingston Wheelers CC |
Behind The Bikeshed Summer Series 5 - Thruxton, 1 July
Another cracking summer evening down at Thruxton, with Will Weynberg again flying the flag for Sotonia that saw the 3/4 race set off at quite a steady pace unlike previous races, but things soon speeded up a few laps in. There were a handful of attacks from the bunch but none of these held much promise and all were reeled in within a few minutes.
It was the final lap before the decisive moves were made - up the penultimate climb there was a dangerous looking escape that Will was able to counter before sitting on and being reeled back, only for a trio to counter over the top and gain a 10 second advantage that they held on to all the way into the final hill ascent. It was at this point that another stinging attack was launched by William Harper of Dulwich Paragon which Will was again able to counter and hold onto all the way into the sprint. Coming into the final straight there were about five riders with a small gap over the field and Will managed to sprint into second place behind the winner, Daniel Mcquillan of Tri UK.
This result boosted Will's already increasing lead in the series overall rankings. Will who started the year as a new fourth cat rider, is now heading impressively towards second cat status in current form - chapeau!
Next up, the focus turns to this Sunday and the Sotonia Road Race at Owslebury which will no doubt provide a worthy test for the seven Sotonia riders scheduled to ride it - good luck to all!
Thruxton results here