Three of our four intrepid youth team made the not inconsiderable journey to Bradford for the final round of the National Trophy Cyclocross Series, and when they arrived they were faced with a savage course, filled with mud, off camber grassy bends, sharp climbs and ice. Here are their accounts of the weekend.
[Photos courtesy of VeloUk and Man Down Media]
Elizabeth:
Bradford was the fifth and final of the National Trophy race series. It was a very cold day and the sun never quite made it through the clouds.
We travelled up the night before and arrived on Saturday in time for the 11:15 practice. I rode most of the course in the first session before falling off which knocked my confidence a little. Later, in the 12:20 practice, I also fell backwards down a very steep hill landing outside the course and hitting a wooden post.
The course was very slippery and steep with many off camber sections, lots of sharp up and downs covered in mud and ruts and ice in some places!
I didn’t get a great start due to the course conditions changing since the practice, but I started to move back up as the race got going. The race was tough and all riders were showered in mud. There was also lots of long grass in the mud that was clogging the bikes as well. I was happy to finish 15th, my highest placed finish in the series. My main aim this year was to get experience of national trophy races and riding the national level courses.
Barnaby:
I was really excited to compete in Bradford this week, especially after a strong performance in Clanfield a few weeks ago. The course was another muddy one, with some challenging off-camber sections. I enjoyed it because it allowed me to combine running and cycling, which helped me move up through the group. Starting from a grid position of 40th, I managed to finish 19th.
I’m feeling good and can’t wait for the National Championships next weekend.
Isaac:
I had a great start being in the lead into the first section and then moved back into third the first time through the pits. However, after not having been able to do a warm up due to timing confusion, I quickly went backwards as the fast start was a bit of a shock to the system. As the race went on I got passed by more and more people, ultimately finishing in 14th. I will put this result behind me as it was not one that I was pleased with at all, despite having done my best on an extremely challenging course that didn’t suit me very well. On the other hand, I am looking forward to my season’s goal of the National Championships next weekend where I will do my best to get a good result.
