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British Championships 2012 Report

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Published: 23rd July, 2012


Joolze Dymond reports from the National Champs at a sunny Wasing Park.

The weekend marked a moment in history that will be memorable for many reasons. First Sunday saw a British rider step to the top step to don the most coveted jersey in the world of cycling, with Bradley Wiggins taking that honor, while in the wilds of West Berkshire a father and daughter duo made XC history with both family members taking home a National title, along with 15 others, who added their names to the illustrious list of winners of the annual National XC Championships.

Hosted by the experienced SMBC crew the venue of choice was Wasing Park, a location that is fast becoming a firm favorite on the XC racing calendar, offering a varied terrain suitable for all.  It may lack long climbs and even longer technical descents, but it was a worthy course to help decide our new National Champions with an even balance of fast double tracks to enable overtaking combined with testing tech sections including especially tailored features which took many by surprise, one of which was the new addition of the log steps, followed closely by the famous chute. The previous weeks inclement weather just made some sections that little bit more interesting but overall the going was fast with the senior men lapping in a rapid sub 18minutes.  

As race day dawned riders were delighted to see the weather had made a welcome return to summer with blue skies and warm temperatures the order of the day, however this heady combination proved more than ideal for at least one medal contender!

First to get under way, were the future stars of our sport with the juvenile and youth riders itching to get going. With all the 2011 juvenile medalists going up to the youth class, the door was wide open for new champions. In the boys race it was going to be a tough call between William Gascoyne &Daniel Tulett and it was only in the closing stages of the final lap that Gascoyne got away to claim the win leaving Tulett just 19secs adrift to pick up silver. Meanwhile in the girls race Emily Wadsworth led from the start opening up a comfortably lead wrapping up her victorious championship campaign with a 4min 35 sec buffer over second placed Emma Borthwick.  2011 youth girl's runner up Lucy Grant traded in her silver for gold after a fast start but her in a commanding lead, leaving Isla Short and Ffion James battle it out for 2nd & 3rd with just 24 secs separating the competitors. Race favourite Billy Harding lived up to expectations in his Youth race after a 3-lap tussle with Dylan Kerfoot-Robson he eventually took gold with a 57 sec buffer over Kerfoot-Robson.

Beth Crumpton

A healthy turn out of female competitors fighting for Master, Vet, Junior & Grand Vet titles, ensured the second race of the day was a roaring success. Beth Crumpton was just one of a handful of defending Champions on the day who retained her title and she did it in true champion style. Taking an early lead the Scott Contessa rider lengthened her lead consistently over the 3 lap race to take the win, while 1st year junior Alice Barnes fought hard to fend off a fast finishing Rebecca Preece to take a well deserved silver.

Fay Cripps

As the women's master's race unfolded, it soon became clear that there was an almighty battle being played out with Jo Munden, Fay Cripps and defending champion Caroline Goward the main players. In a ding-dong battle the lead constantly changed hands with little to choose between the 3. By lap 3 it seemed that Munden had made her move opening up a 13 sec lead going into the last lap. However just 23 minutes later the title went to Cripps, with Goward just 19secs adrift, while Munden failed to finish, after falling victim to the hot humid temperatures, Munden had collapsed trackside suffering from heatstroke. Luckily reports are that there are no long-term effects and she's fine, a little disappointed maybe, but fine.

Helen MacGregor

Trading in her 4th place in 2011 for a well earned gold was Helen MacGregor as she battled for the win in the vets class, her fast opening lap holding off the competition with Nicky Hughes taking silver, While Kim Long took the honours in the Grand Vet, with Christine James making her racing debut with a visit to the podium to pick up silver!

Sam Stean

Race 3 threw up a number of surprises, not least the excellent win by Junior Sam Stean, who riding a confident race worked well with rival Michael Thompson to fend off Alex Welburn. Led initially by hot favorite Isaac Pucci, he was reeled in by Stean, Thompson and Welburn and seemed to pay for his early fast start.  On the last lap Stean played his cards well opening a gap on Thompson to take the win, with Thompson conceding 22secs in silver.

Luke Smith

Luke Smith has been a stalwart of the XC racing scene for many years, always fighting hard for the win. Now a winter of hard work with a new coach has paid dividends as he stepped up a notch to dominate the master's race with only Dan Wells able to match his blisteringly hot opening gambit. Lap 2 and Smith turned on the turbo boosters leaving the field behind opening up a 57 sec led on Simon Earnest and Wells. Smith continued to stamp out sub 19 minute laps to take a convincing win with Wells and Earnest battling it out for 2nd and 3rd. With just a handful of seconds separating them Wells took the silver from earnest.

Lewis King

In the vet's race, it was billed to be a showdown between archrivals Lewis King and defending champion Paul Hopkins.  However Ian Taylor, Steve Calland & Mark Chadborne wanted in on the 5-lap party and so began a 5-way battle. Hopkins led the way, but a number of unplanned dismounts saw him on the back foot with King making the most of the upsets taking his leave and scarpering. This left the party of 4 to fight for the remaining spots as King maintained his distance. Lap 3 seemed disastrous for Hopkins, finding himself back in 5th he fought tooth and nail to claw his way back to second 105 secs after King had claimed victory, narrowly defeating Taylor, Calland & Chadborne. Just 11 seconds separated 2nd from 5th…

In the Grand Vets another full on battle was unfolding with defending champion Steve Davies tussling for contention with 2011 bronze medalist Pete Harris and Pete Turnbull. These golden oldies showed they meant business with sub 20 min opening lap, the 3 of them locked in battle.  Lap 2 saw Davies make is break for freedom, recording another sub 20 min lap, opening up a 30 sec lead on Turnbull with Harris another 10 secs adrift. Lap 3 saw Harris keep the pressure up, making small inroads on Davies with Turnbull starting to crack. Riding his 4th and last consistent lap saw Harris overhaul Davies to finally grab a National title, with Turnbull picking up 3rd. Meanwhile in the Grand Vets Victor Barnett once again made short work of his race picking up yet another title to add to the already burgeoning list he has won over the years! 

Annie Simpson

In the final race of the day we saw a number of riders stepping up from the Junior ranks to the shock of the under23's, plus a number of familiar faces who've gone off to pursue fame and fortune on the road and cyclo cross circuits make a welcome return!  The most notable of these had to be Annie Simpson, a former Junior National XC Champion and former teammate of Annie Last. Simpson, fresh from her victory at the Tour Series, having proclaimed not to have been off road for 3 years went on to make short work of her 4 laps to pick up the Under 23's title. Fresh from the juniors Katy 'Win Tin Tin ' Winton took silver leaving defending champion Carla Haines the bronze.

Kenta Gallagher

For the Boardman team it was a fine 1-2 as team mates Kenta Gallagher & Grant Ferguson set the under 23 men's race alight recording that fastest laps of the day both sub 17 mins, leaving the rest of the field reeling. Gallagher delighted to be back in the dirt flowed effortlessly round the course, while team mate Ferguson had a mighty battle on his hands in the shape of local rider Steve James who was determined to make his mark. Gallagher went on to defend his title, while Ferguson by the narrowest of margins piped James to Silver.

Nikki Harris

In the Senior Women's race the crowd was divided where the smart money should go. In the 'red' corner you had Lee Cragie who's been riding hard and fast all over Europe and in the 'blue' corner Nikki Harris. Dabbling with XC racing alongside a bit of road racing, to compliment her main passion of cyclo cross racing.  Both riders were looking on top of their respective games, with Harris belaying her pedigree with an awesome 4th in the recent National Road Race Champs, spending her time in the company of the likes of Emma Pooley, Sharon Laws and Lizzie Armistead, so it was of no surprise when Harris hightailed it from the start carving a lead of 30 secs on the first lap leaving Cragie in chase mode, with Mel Alexander and Jessie Roberts duking it out for 3rd. Harris continued to extend her lead to come home victorious 81 secs ahead of Cragie, adding to the Harris family collection of titles. Meanwhile Alexander successfully fended off Roberts to take bronze.

Liam Killeen

Oli Beckingsale

Liam Killeen proved he's right on track to his Olympic dream, as he scorched to victory in the Senior Men's race. Though as the race began it seemed the Giant rider was a little off the pace, with Oli Beckingsale leading the way, Killeen hot on his heels. Lap 2 saw the lap lead go to Gareth Mongomerie with Beckingsale and David Fletcher close behind. Killeen had to fight back from a puncture, leaving him down in 6th. By lap 3 if as if Killeen had deployed the turbo boosters as he blasted his way to the front of the field, taking no passengers. Gloves were now well and truly off with Killeen recording 5 consistently fast laps to successfully defend his title for another year. Behind the fight was on for silver and Bronze. Montgomerie paid dearly for his heroic efforts at the start of the race and began to fade, leaving Fletcher and Beckingsale duking it out, with Cyclo Cross specialist Ian Field chancing his arm for a look in. In the end it was Fletcher who had the edge taking silver just 29 secs ahead of Beckingsale, who in turn defended the bronze from the Field onslaught.

Many thanks to everyone who made this day a fantastic success, from an excellent course, hard riding competitors and of course the weather gods….

Full results can be seen here: www.nationalxcchamps.co.uk
Photos by Joolze Dymond: www.joolzedymond.com


More on the Cross Country National Championships 2012:
Event Calendar Listing


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