Last weekend saw over 300 riders brave the wet and windy weather to attend Stratford Cycle Club’s annual Cyclo-Cross held at Norgren Social Club at Shipston on Stour. On arrival, riders were pleasantly surprised to see that conditions were in fact much dryer and firmer than expected, even though the course had received heavy rain in the few days before. Consequently racing was fast and furious throughout on an improved course which gave all riders plenty to think about all the way round the circuit.

Stratford CC had over 20 young riders taking part, which shows that the club’s British Cycling ‘Go Ride’ scheme is working well in the town, with the club receiving financial support from Stratford Town Trust to develop competitive cycling for local children.

First off were the under 8’s and 10’s, with some children as young as 5 yrs old taking part! One of these was young Daniel Evans who came in second in the under 6’s! In the under 8’s, his brother Nicolas took a fine win, while first Stratford girl home was Nelly Ledger in 7th place. Further up the field the stronger U10’s were having a great race and top local riders including Reuben Ledger and Matthew Milward going well.

The under 12’s had to take on a more technical course with 5 ditch crossings to contend with while the wind and rain made things even more difficult. The race was convincingly won by Charlotte Broughton of Leicestershire CC, but again Stratford riders did well with good performances from Keir Lewis and Tom Milward in 5th and 7th place respectively. Oliver Evans, Connor Griffiths and Jamie Wolstencroft also did well.

The ‘youth’ classification for under 14 and 16’s was hotly contested and these riders had to take on the full course, which included a strength sapping hill section. Stratford’s Zoe Chandler was 2nd girl home in the U16’s while Tom Lane and Andrew Butler came home 6th and 16th in the U14 boys.

The race for U18’s, Veteran’s, and Women saw 93 riders lining up and it was like a cavalry charge to the first corner! Stratford’s only rider in this one was local girl Pippa Heenan who in her first Cyclo-Cross managed to overcome the many obstacles to successfully complete the 40 minute race.

The last race of the day went off at 2pm, with the light already fading and the wind and rain returning for yet another shower. It was the turn of the senior men, the fastest riders of the day. After a testing 50 minute race, 5th place went to Dan Bill, who helps run Stratford’s specialist cycle shop, The Cycle Studio. Tom Heenan, a respected road rider with the club was trying cyclo-cross for only the 2nd time and came in a creditable 21st place in a very strong field.

Race organiser John Johnson said “We’ve been really impressed with how our young junior riders are coming along; they are going from strength to strength and it’s great to see young people who are really keen to get out and race on their bikes.”

This was round 8 of the 12 round West Midlands Cyclo - Cross league series, which goes right through to the end of January. Anyone who would like to try cyclo-cross, which is a great fun and safe cycle sport for riders of all ages, should simply visit the Stratford CC website which is www.stratfordcc.co.uk or visit the West Midlands League website which is