New Forest Cycling Club were proud to have Club colours on display at the inaugural Southampton Sporterium criterium racing over the weekend. With riders in both cat3 and cat4, it was bound to be an eventful afternoon on the closed roads of the city centre. The rolling one-mile circuit, punctuated with tight turns and a narrowed section before the finish line, proved positioning within the peloton was key.
Ben George and Joe Shepherd crossed the start line in the Cat4 race and instantly put on a display of strength, leading the field of over 40 rides for a number of the early laps. Unfortunately, Joe connected with a barrier in one of the tight turns mid-race, taking him out with Ben stopping to check on his teammate.
Chris Sanders rode a tactical race in the Cat3 division, positioning himself well within the lead group for the whole race and crossing the line in 13th position out of field of nearly 45 riders.
NFCC are looking forward to the cyclocross season commencing this weekend, with Round 1 of the Miche Wessex CX League in Fareham and the New Forest Autumn 10 time trial on 19th September in Lyndhurst.