22 November 2014 – Keighley
Mud glorious mud… Photo by Charlie
This was the penultimate race in the series – could the senior men & ladies teams keep up their rich vein of form?
The venue was a multi-lap course at Cliffe Castle Keighley. A tight twisty route, winding around & through the various grassy fields. The day itself was bright & sunny, so alongside plenty of mud, all was set for some exciting racing.
The senior ladies stole the show finishing 2nd team overall. Alex Bell also winning a dramatic finishing straight sprint for a superb individual 2nd place.
She was backed up by Gabriella Moriarty in 8th, Rachel Pilling in 15th and Anna Anderson completing the team placings in 35th. Claire Green trotted round to finish 51st, smiling & waving to her fans, secure in the knowledge that the ladies even had the luxury of a ‘spare’ runner.
Gabriella Moriarty with an impressive top 10 finish. Photo by Stevie.
Rachel Pilling with a quick left jab to the ribs… Photo by Stevie.
Alex Bell maintaining good form right up until her sprint finish for 2nd place. Photo by Stevie.
Anna Anderson also with a strong finish and final counter. Photo by Stevie.
Greenie just enjoying a brisk run round! Photo c/o Woodentops
It was a different story for the senior men, as they were a little down on numbers, & so unable to repeat their previous impressive 3rd place team results. However Jon Holah showed his usual good form to finish 1st M50, and Ryan Noon continued his steady improvement, picking his way through the field to 73rd place.
There’s only one Johnny Holah! 1st V50. Photo by Stevie.
Ryan keeping pace and playing the tactical game. Photo by Stevie.
A little way behind was Niall Bourke in 96th, deserving the man of steel award for the day, after being the beneficiary of a free bar the night before.
Niall working the course like a forklift truck in a brewery. Photo by Stevie
Elsewhere, there was plenty of maroon & gold in the juniors races. Joshua Swatman 22nd in the U17’s, Erin Hinchcliffe 72nd in the U13 girls, Natasha Robinson & Emily Kite 51st & 52nd in the U11 girls, and finally Luke Storr 33rd in the U11 boys.
So, one race to go in the series, Sunday 7th December, at Nunroyd Park, Leeds. Let’s have everybody out to round it off in style!
Even if you’re not racing its worth going just to yell encouragement and to see how many shades of green Niall will be turning.
Thanks Charlie! Never been likened to a forklift before!
I deny all responsibility for picture titles as they are suitably added by the editor who shall remain nameless……..wont you Graham.
I had to think very carefully about brewey analogies… I didn’t want to wander into territory that suggested you were ‘robust’ or anything insulting like that Niall!
Fantastic race report as ever – promise to try harder in the last one!