LES QUENNEVAIS played host to the final event of the cyclocross season and the Jersey Cycling Cyclocross Championships – a one-off race where winner takes all. The occasion was also marked by the inaugural cyclocross inter-insular with Guernsey sending nine riders to compete across the various categories.
The youth categories started proceedings and, over a course where every corner seemed to be off-camber and covered with energy-sapping grass, a masterclass unfolded in the U10s with Maverick Bull on show for the boys and Hattie Le Sueur the girls, both winning their age groups in style.
Moving up age groups to the U12 category, it became a battle of attrition. With a 20-minute marker set, high speed was always going to be hard to maintain, but maintain it they did. With the season-long battle between Alex Le Sueur and Milo Skuce coming to a crescendo, it was Le Sueur who came out trumps and pulled away from an ever-attacking Skuce in the send to last lap.
Meanwhile, over in the U12s girls camp, there were tumbles, cramping limbs and pedal malfunctions to contend with over the 20 minutes, but it was race focused Vicky Grant who led from the start with an ever determined Orla Le Lai coming in second. A resolute Ella Baker came home third after some technical issues.
Last, and by no means least, in an all-boys U8 affair, the gauntlet thrown for all to bear witness and Loic Burton showed his colours leading from the outset to claim victory. But the battle of the day went to Austin Sty versus Aubin Searle. With each lap the advantage yo-yoed between the two, and, as time gave out, Sty claimed second with Searle in third.
In the senior categories, 47 riders lined up over two races with the women off the line first. Indi Malzard, Amber Mauger and Lisa Mansell took an early lead and formed a small gap at the front. That lead grew as first Mansell was distanced and Mauger was eventually gapped by a determined Malzard, who went on to take the win. Mauger, third over the line behind Mansell, took the youth category. In the veterans over-40s, Katie Tanguy established an early lead which she took to the flag. The O50s saw an epic duel between Louise Banks and Julie Le Rougetel, with the lead swapping a couple of times before Banks was able to secure a lead that she would hold. A returning Carol Derrien claimed the O60s category.
In the youth boys and men’s O50 and O60s races, Robin Ovenden, Ian Jones and Mark Smith from Guernsey established an early break. The group remained together for a few laps before Ovenden decided it was time to make a push. The gap opened up and Ovenden was able to take his lead to the flag to claim the O50s category. In the O60s Chris Bridson continued his season’s form to take the category win. In the youth race Aston Gilbert took an early lead from Evan Osmand and Johnny Jones and drew out his lead to take the category victory.
The final race of the day saw the junior boys, senior and O40s men entertain with an another super battle. Jay Cracknell, Liam Cadoret, Dylon Carney and Tom Nisbet had an electric start and led into the first technical section. Cadoret and Cracknell were able to gap the following riders and played out a cat-and-mouse race over the next few laps to try and get a gap. It wasn’t until the last but one lap before Cracknell was able to get the break. Cadoret dug deep, however, to fight back and, as they received the bell for the last lap, they were line astern once again. As they disappeared from view there was an anxious wait before they reappeared again for the final section. It was Cracknell who had managed to re-establish a small lead that he was able to hold to the line to take the senior’s category. Luke Holmes was able to overhaul Nisbet and went on to win the junior category. In the O40s, Adam Wojtkiewicz demonstrated why he was the points championship winner with another strong ride to take a comfortable category win.
With Jersey riders winning each of the categories, the inaugural inter-insular victory went to Jersey. Guernsey riders competed well and will no doubt be fired up for the return event in Guernsey next season.
Jersey Cycling wanted to thank all marshals and officials as well as Normandy Rescue. Thanks to Groupe Legendre for supporting the series.
Full list ofwinners:
Youth Girls: Amber Mauger
Senior Ladies: Indi Malzard
O40F: Katie Tanguy
O50F: Louise Banks
O60F: Carol Derrien
Youth Boys: Aston Gilbert
Junior Boys: Luke Holmes
Senior Men: Jay Cracknell
O40M: Adam Wojtkiewicz
O50M: Robin Ovenden
O60M: Chris Bridson
