This Sunday was the regional cyclocross championships also counting towards the Wessex league. The spread of Wessex league riders across different regions meant a finish got you your average Wessex League points. Catherine, Emma and Joe made the trip to near Kingsclere for a course that was a bit less technical after last weeks Andover race. Despite all the rain the course stayed pretty clear of mud but the elevation profile was unforgiving.

The national ranking gridding was used leading to very different gridding positions to normal. In the women’s race Emma had to start at the back but quickly moved up towards the front on the first few turns. Both Emma and Catherine had good races, avoiding falls and punctures (of which there were many throughout the day). Catherine finished 5th in her category and Emma 6th in hers.

Joe had a good start to his race with some excellent cornering getting him into a good position. Everything was looking good with some fast lap times until lap 7. Unfortunately just as Joe passed the pit entrance, hea heard a hiss and 2 corners later the bike was on his shoulder with a flat front tyre. Some excellent running for half a lap got Joe back round to the pits for some air. Back on the bike, Joe worked hard with some more fast lap times to make up a few of his lost places but there was no coming back. Joe clawed his way back up to 20th.

The next round is at Dalton barracks on the 11th December.