Edgeside success for home ace Reid

WITH many riders from the region choosing to miss out Saturday’s latest round of the North West Cyclo-Cross League in favour of Sunday’s North of England Championships, there was an unfamiliar look to the results of the event, at Edgeside Park in Rossendale.

The following day’s Championship was ultimately postponed because of thick ice across the venue, and for many it was too late to change their plans and ride Saturday’s event at Rossendale, staged by members of the Wheelbase-Gore club.

Those who did manage to get a ride at Edgeside Park were rewarded with a challenging course which had snow and ice across much of it, meaning a tough slog for riders to complete the event.

Wheelbase club member Stuart Reid spent most of the morning helping to mark out the course.

His reward was victory in the event, covering the course in 56min 30sec.

He won by 1–16 from Yorkshire visitor, professional road racer Graham Briggs.

Rapha Condor-Recycling member Briggs has a new coach this season who has told him to ride cross events to prepare for the coming season, when he will ride for the Pinarello Racing Team.

North West League leader Rob Pugh (FP Mailing CT) had to settle for third place, another minute off the pace, while there were lean pickings for other league contenders.

Second-placed Martin Kitchin (Horwich CC) crossed the line 19th at Rossendale, while third-placed Kevin Wilford (Macclesfield Wheelers) was 11th.

For riders left disappointed by the cancellation of the North of England Championships in Sunderland, the organisers plan to restage the event on January 3 at the same venue.

This weekend there is no North West League event.

However, the penultimate round of the National Trophy will be staged in Leicestershire on Sunday.