GVC Cyclocross Series Final Round - Race Report
The final round of the Cycleworld Cyclocross series went to Blanchelande College – another new venue for what proved to be one of the most popular and challenging courses of the season.
Club Development Officer Paul De Garis said; “The club are extremely grateful to Blanchelande College for allowing the race to take place and we look forward to returning in the future, hopefully next season”.
Wet and chilly conditions greeted the riders and the warm up laps gave everyone a chance to get used to the varied terrain. Credit to the course designers who took advantage of the different surfaces around the site to provide a fast and flowing lap which tested bike handling and legs through muddy fields and up tarmac climbs. It wouldn’t be a Guernsey race without a herd of cows looking on joining a good crowd who turned out to watch 8 laps of slippery and electric racing.
Overall race winner Zach Smith made light work of the circuit putting in an impressive performance ahead of determined opposition to finish in 52.02, over a minute ahead of the rest of the field. The academy rider secured the Under-14 title whilst also tying points for overall Youth winner with the absent Charlie Tourtel.
Senior honours in the race went to Dave Fairbrother who couldn’t hide his delight with second place and his fourth consecutive category win. He would have been a strong contender for the series crown had he not missed the first two races. Mark Smith had battled for second place on a course he clearly enjoyed, taking the final spot on the podium, wrapping up the Grand Veteran category title ahead of Mark Naftel who came home seventh.
The Senior series was sewn by Nathaniel Jones who scored his best result of the series with an impressive fourth place, easing to the title ahead of James Marshall (6th). Simon Francart came home eighth with the Veteran 40 series already secured at the previous round.
Esther Reid completed the perfect score of 180 points and a sixth consecutive category win, continuing to improve and impress, taking a series best 11th place in the CX race. Andy Godfrey battled his way to 13th place and the Veteran 60 title for the second year running.
In the Mountain bike category, race winner Adam Torode made up good ground on the CX bikes despite the handicap of a delayed start finishing in fifth place just ahead of rival Mark De La Mare. Wayne Piercey cruised to the Veteran 40 title with most of his category rivals not racing, taking seventeenth in the race overall.
Jamy Petit-Fulgoni crashed early in the race and was unable to continue on a damaged bike, small consolation for already securing the Female Senior series win. Franke Middleton and Maria Blatchford took Veteran 40 & 50 honours respectively. Amy Smith made it a great day for the Smith family wrapping up the Youth Female series title despite losing out to sister Holly in the race.
Glen Irven wrapped up the Veteran 50 overall title after a tight battle with Darcy Brimson in the final two rounds. Top Youth Bailey Smalldon took the MTB race category win along with the overall title with his main rivals chasing him all race long. Emile Le Compte won the race for Junior honours with 15th overall in the race.
Race 6 concludes the Cycleworld Cyclocross Series for this season as the club now looks forward to the Road season and the continuation of the Mountain Bike winter series this weekend. Anyone considering trying Cyclocross is encouraged to contact the coaching team and register for CX coaching sessions.
Full results and standings can be found at www.gvc.gg