INCOMING Storm Ashley proved no deterrent for 52 eager riders who were not about to have their morning Cyclocross fun disrupted.
As the organisers re-checked the latest forecast, the all clear was given and battle commenced at a wet and windy Rozel Camping, for Round 2 of Jersey Cycling’s Cyclocross season.
The U8s showed the way, kicking off the racing with a burst of energy that got the onlookers cheering and ringing the cow bells in vigorous support, as first across the line with thunderous applause was Loic Burton.
The U10s were next up and kept the adrenaline flowing with some excellent racing, as George Robertson proved victorious this time around, while in the U12s, Alex Le Sueur maintained his fine start to the season with a second win on challenging terrain.
As the rain drifted in, next up were the Ladies’ Senior, Vet Opens, and Youth category races.
Mark Ecobichon established an early lead in the Vet 50 Open category, making the race hard fought and forming a front trio alongside Ian Jones and Jamie Griffiths.
The technical course proved challenging even for the race leaders as Ecobichon made a crucial mistake which cost him time from the now leading duo of Jones and Griffiths.
There was nothing to separate the two for the rest of the race and it came down to a duel on the final lap. A late move by Griffiths saw him open up a small gap, taking home the overall victory and with it the Vet 50 win.
Meanwhile, Mike Osborne led the Vet 60s, taking the well deserved plaudits in his category.
Elsewhere, the Ladies’ Senior race was firmly controlled by Lisa Mansell, using her skills to ride near flawlessly and taking the category win ahead of Indie Mallard.
In more Ladies’ action, Charlie Ovenden followed up her Round 1 category victory with a second win in the Vet 40s, while Carol Derrien battled the conditions well to secure the Vet 60s category.
First-year Youth riders Milo Skuce and Lia Romero put in two great performances to take the respective Youth Male and Female categories.
The final races of the day saw the Men’s Senior Open and Vet 40s battle it out, with the course becoming ever muddier and much more technical.
The Senior race started fast with Liam Cadoret applying pressure from the beginning and growing a gap between him and Jay Cracknell in second.
Over the next few laps Cracknell showed great determination, eventually chipping away at the gap.
With Cracknell now taking a few seconds a lap on Cadoret, the race was set for a brutal finale between the two of them.
The course featured a steep bank which forced the riders to run. Cracknell proved the faster and used it to his advantage to build a gap on a fading Cadoret.
With just a couple of laps to go Cracknell was able to establish a more comfortable lead over Cadoret, who was running out of steam.
Cracknell further extended the gap in the last couple of laps taking the victory and making it back-to-back wins this year.
Cadoret managed to power into a strong second place, with Dillon Catney finishing in third.
The Vet 40 category saw Robin Ovenden build momentum after a steady start, later using his experience to pick off the riders ahead to take victory in the category.
Last, but certainly not least, Herbie Buchholz took the Open Junior honours.
Jersey Cycling extended their thanks to the landowners, Rozel Camping, as well as series sponsor Group Legendre, and a special thanks to to the marshals and officials who braved the tough conditions.
The next race is scheduled for Sunday 10 November.
Jersey Cycling encourages interested parties to keep an eye on their and Cyclocross Jersey’s social media channels to stay up to date, as well as inviting anyone interested to come along.
