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Location: Pitville Park, Cheltenham
Event: 20 November 2011
Report: John Hawes
This year conditions in Pittville Park, Cheltenham, were relatively dry with much less risk of cloying mud. However Cheltenham and County CC laid on a stern test of stamina and power which became apparent straight from the start.
The field got strung out on the tough up-slope bumpy section which will have given a new meaning to “pitch and putt” course for riders. Very soon a break of 3 formed with Joe Griffiths(Dream CC) Charles Coleman (Adeo Cadence RT), Ben Davies(Cheltenham Cycles) and they pulled out 20 seconds from Scott Chalmers(Dream CC) and as much again from the next in the field.
This pattern looked set for a battle between the first three till half way through the race when Coleman attacked and got half a minute on Griiffiths and another 10 seconds on local favourite, Davies. He then powered on gradually adding to his lead each lap.
Steve Brown (Dream CC) proved his staying power to come in a creditable first Veteran. We always like to see a National Champion at Pittville trying cyclo-cross. Jess Stone, the 2010
English National Downhill champion was giving cyclo-cross a first go and was the first woman home.
In the chase for U12 prizes donated by Cheltenham Cycles Lovis Brooks (U12) and Oliver Buckle (U10) were first in these age groups.
Results:
1 Charles Coleman (Adeo Cadence RT)
2 Joe Griffiths (Dream CC)
3 Ben Davies (Cheltenham Cycles)
4 Scott Chalmers (Dream CC)
5 Richard Fairholme (Kenilworth Wheelers)
6 Craig Denning (Dream CC)
7 Deacon Cuttech (VCR)
8 Nic Burridge (Cheltenham & County CC)
9 Steve Brown (Dream CC)
10 Ian Threadgold (Cheltenham & County CC)
Veterans: Steve Brown. Women: Jess Stone (Trek Bikes). Youth: David Crebber (Malvern Cycle Sport). Under-12s: Lovis Brooks (Malvern Cycle Sport). Under-10s: David Meyer (Cheltenham & County CC). Under-8s: Leo Tarrant (Cheltenham & County CC).
British Cycling would like to thank the organising team, officials and everyone else who helped promote this event. Our sport could not exist without the hundreds of people, many of them unpaid volunteers, who put in many hours of hard work running events, activities and clubs.
