National Trophy Series - Ipswich 2nd November 2003

I like the course at Ipswich, it might be a long way from home but worth the journey. The course is based at Suffolk College using the road and adjoining parkland. It is not flat and with the heavy showers that we had on Sunday it was quite slippery. A good fitness and skill course.

The Race..

Last years race attracted some foreign visitors, this year a couple of Belgium's came. One of them was I know well, Ronny Poelvoorde  he has been around for as long as I have both racing cyclo-cross and mountain bikes. We always have a close race.

The race started on the road before hitting the first grassy bank. The U23 leader Steven Roach lead the charge, with Shaun Snodden, Ian Wilkinson and I in close attendance. I took the lead towards the end of the first lap as a group of three formed at the front. Ian, Ronny Poelvoorde and I. This is how it stayed for half the race, with us each trying to escape. Liam Killeen was at about 20 seconds for most of the time. Ronny put in some hard attacks and we shook off Ian. There was now 6 laps remaining of the slippery circuit. With 4 to go I nearly slipped off but saved it, but Ronny took advantage and opened a 25m gap. It stayed close for the next two laps before it opened to nearly half a minute. The race behind was hotting up, Liam and Ian were together and battling for the podium place. Ian got the better of his younger rival and took third.  On the last lap I had the misfortune to leave my dismount too late and hit the hurdles hard gouging a lump out of my shin.

I have now taken the lead in the series, so will have to wear the yellow jersey in the next round. I prefer to just have the lead after the final round!

ELITE Result

 1.   Ronny Poelvoorde   Belgium                  
 2.   Barrie Clarke      Giant Racing                 @0.24
 3.   Ian Wilkinson      Science in Sport.com         @0.56
 4.   Liam Killeen       Trek UK   Under 23           @1.11
 5.   Steve Knight       MI Racing/Peugeot/Thule/      1.21
 6.   George Richardson  Cycle Ops/Kona                1.32
 7.   Stuart Bowers      Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next   1.50
 8.   Steven Roach       Rugby Velo   Under 23         2.11
 9.   Darren Atkins      MI Racing/Peugeot/Thule/Fuji  2.23
10.   Paul Oldham        Giant Racing                  2.32
 

Poelvoorde, Wilkinson & Clarke

my last years report =>

Full Report www.bcf.uk.com

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(written 20/10/03)