13/12/2013

Last weekend saw the local edition of the National Trophy Series, held once again at Peel Park Bradford on a similar course to last years national Championship. This is the hardest National Trophy course in the country featuring as it does steep climbs , off camber descents as well as the usual twists turns and hurdles. Whilst some riders have driven to other rounds of the National Trophy series given the proximity more of the local riders decided to pit themselves against the countries finest cycle-cross riders. The first race was the Veterans race and having contested previous rounds both Cyclocross magazine’s Steve Smales and Nova’s Paul Lehan had good griding positions and used this to full advantage to get a good start. Steve Smales finished 22nd which was his highest position this year despite overcooking a descent and colliding with a tree which cost him at least 4 places, Paul Lehan finished 30th and Ted Sarmiento finished 48th. In the V50 Charles Warren finished 22nd, Nick Mason 30th and Tim Evans 33rd. In the Youth races Nova’s Louis Mason was 24th in the U14 and Nova’s Joe Sarmiento was 20th in the U12. The final race saw a race long battle between the National Champion Hargrove’s Ian Field and the National Trophy series leader Hope’s Paul Oldham which Field eventually won also saw Nova’s Dave Morris come home 39th and Cyclocross magazines Edwyn Oliver-Evans finish 46th.