Welsh cross Rd 2

Welsh Cyclocross Rd 2 Risca

With the MTB XC race season done and dusted for me, I yet again have decide to have a dabble at the welsh cyclocross series! Last year after a few races, several chest problems,(initially where my troubles started) and making myself very bad for a few weeks, I had half promised to call it quits after the XC season and chill out. But I cant help myself but want to race and compete. If I had not have visited the doctor and obtained an inhaler I think things may have been different. But touch wood, although I am full of cold, and have been for the past 3 weeks I have not had any chest problems since using it, so fingers crossed, for the cross!!

I have always struggled with the cross, in comparison to XC racing, so every year my aim is to improve on my previous attempts! I don�ft class my self as nimble so get on and off the bike I struggle with!! Or as my wife says,

�h you always look as stiff as an old board, where as the others in front of you just glide on and off!!�h

I had missed the opening round due to illness and work, still battling with the cold, I decided to try and race Risca, as it was between nights and I could stay down between shifts. And the weather was exceptional.

I arrived at half ten and soon met up with some familiar faces. I signed on and got sorted for a practice. The course was similar to last year, but also very different, mainly due to the weather conditions! The senior race started at 1215 and due to missing the first round I was not grided so started on the 3^rd row! Not ideal for me, but hey! Off the start I gained a few positions and decided to keep a cool head and slowly work my way up. On the 2^nd short climb there was a small crash and another rider fell on to my bike. This damaged my rear derailed and my gears were all over the place. At the end of the first lap I swapped bikes, to my trusty old mountain bike!  Which wasn�ft ideal either, but the cross bike was knackered so it was a case of being my only option!

I pushed on hard and started to make up time and picked up a few places. The rest of the race was fairly uneventful. I finally finished in 5^th place which I was very happy with all things considered. Just behind Ryan Bevis. The race winner was Andy Baum who once again rode an excellent race with Joe Lally not to far behind either!

I actually really enjoyed the race, despite all the problems and if I don�ft go down hill further with this damm cold I will be at Mansel Lacy on Sunday.

Thanks to the organisers for a great event and im sure it wont be long until the mud and frost appears!!

Thanks to Roy Bevis for the Pics

Phil Morris

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