Cyclocross National Trophy Rd 2, Thornton Hall Country Park: report and results
Anna Kay and Jente Michels were the elite race victors at Round 2 of the Cyclocross National Trophy, 14 October 2023, as Jamie Stewart and Cat Ferguson secured the junior wins
Anna Kay (Cyclocross Reds) and her partner Jennie Michels (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won the elite races at Round 2 of the National Trophy on Saturday, as Jamie Thompson (Shibden Cycling Club) and Cat Ferguson (Hope Factory Racing) took junior race honours.
The men’s junior race kicked off proceedings at Thornton Hall Country Park, Lewis Tinsley (BCC Race Team) primed to defend his series lead after his round one victory last weekend.
However, the race was defined by a battle between Jamie Stewart (Shibden Cycling Club) and national champion Seb Grindley (TRINITY Racing). On lap one, Stewart has established a small gap over Grindley as they tackled a challenging 45 degree bank.
As the race progressed, Grindley found himself in a chase group of four riders, trailing 30 seconds behind the leader, his distinctive attire of red, white, and blue symbolising his reigning national champion status.
Jaimie Stewart powers to victory. Image: Joe Hudson
However, the day belonged to Jamie Stewart, whose impeccable performance saw him cruising to victory, establishing a significant margin ahead of Grindley. Joel Hurt (Beeston Cycling Club) completed the podium with last weekend’s winner Tinsley in seventh.
Women’s junior race
Early on, a compelling duel was set up between Cat Ferguson of Hope Tech Factory Racing and the winner of round one, Imogen Wolff from TRINITY Racing. The Great Britain riders broke clear from the pack, showcasing their prowess and power from the start. Their determination was evident as they vied for the top spot, each pushing the other to the limit.
A bit further behind, Alice Colling of Shibden Cycling Club emerged as a potential podium contender, alone in third position despite the gap from the duo.
Imogen Wolff and Cat Ferguson do battle. Image: Joe Hudson
Throughout the race, Ferguson and Wolff showcased an impeccable display of skill and endurance, as they led the race with almost a minute gap from the others. Their determination made it a neck-and-neck competition.
However, on the uphill hairpins towards the latter part of the race, Ferguson managed to seize an opportunity to break away from Wolff. With a burst of energy, she navigated through the challenging terrain, creating a decisive lead that Wolff couldn’t overcome.
In a show of sheer power and determination, Ferguson crossed the finish line victoriously. Wolff followed closely, clinching second spot. Colling was best of the rest.
Women’s elite race
Anna Kay (Cyclocross Reds) took a commanding lead from the very first lap of the hilly Thornton course and didn’t look in any trouble of securing a convincing victory in her first National Trophy race of the 2023-24 season.
Initially, the pack trying to chase down the North East racer was led by Ruby James (Hope Factory Racing). However, as the scattered patches of heavily churned mud began to thicken, it was South Shields winner Elena Day (Team Spectra Cannondale P/B DAS) – resplendent in the Series leader’s yellow jersey – who slogged her way through the mud traps the quickest to try and reel Kay back in.
Despite Day’s burst of pace, she was so evenly matched with Kay that the gap between them never really decreased. Day might trim a few seconds off Kay’s lead, but the latter would respond with a quicker lap immediately afterward.
Kay crossed the line with just under 30 seconds in hand, with Day second, winning the under-23 category in the process. Team Empella’s Alderney Baker rounded out the overall podium with Hope Inglis (Brother UK-Orientation Marketing) pipping James in a battle to the finish to take fourth.
Men’s elite race
On a stormy afternoon, the race course at Thornton Hall witnessed a blend of harsh weather and fierce competition as the men’s elite race unfolded. A heavy rain shower right before the men’s race turned the course into a mud pit, challenging the riders right from the get-go.
As the racers lined up, all eyes were on Thomas Mein (Hope Factory Racing), the victor of the previous week’s round 1. As the race flagged off, it was evident that the elite men came prepared to conquer the muddy trails, flying from the start line like rockets.
From the start, it was Under-23 Series leader Dan Barnes (Team Spectra Cannondale P/B DAS) who scrambled through the mud fastest, under hot pursuit from Jente Michels (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Mein.
The trio broke clear of the squabbling pack behind, but as Michels and Mein turned up the pace, Barnes started to drop back as the course – which had been soaked by a rain shower pre-race – was pelted by a sudden hailstorm
By the third lap, Michels made a bold move and broke clear during the second visit to the pits. Mein, showcasing remarkable agility, was quick to ascend the hill, ensuring Michels didn’t widen the gap significantly.
The fourth lap saw Michels having a minor slip on the increasingly slippery hairpins, a testament to the gruelling conditions the athletes were contending with.
Michels wins. Image: Joe Hudson
By the bell, however, Michels had a 30-second margin. Despite the muddy and wet conditions, Michels displayed an unwavering resolve, ultimately flying solo to a well-deserved victory at Thornton Hall, leaving the field in his wake. Mein was second, Barnes finished third.
The next round of the National Trophy Series is on 28 October at Moorsway Leisure Centre, Derbyshire.
Anna Kay (Cyclocross Reds) and her partner Jennie Michels (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won the elite races at Round 2 of the National Trophy on Saturday, as Jamie Thompson (Shibden Cycling Club) and Cat Ferguson (Hope Factory Racing) took junior race honours.
Featured image: Joe Hudson
Reports
Men’s junior race
The men’s junior race kicked off proceedings at Thornton Hall Country Park, Lewis Tinsley (BCC Race Team) primed to defend his series lead after his round one victory last weekend.
However, the race was defined by a battle between Jamie Stewart (Shibden Cycling Club) and national champion Seb Grindley (TRINITY Racing). On lap one, Stewart has established a small gap over Grindley as they tackled a challenging 45 degree bank.
As the race progressed, Grindley found himself in a chase group of four riders, trailing 30 seconds behind the leader, his distinctive attire of red, white, and blue symbolising his reigning national champion status.
However, the day belonged to Jamie Stewart, whose impeccable performance saw him cruising to victory, establishing a significant margin ahead of Grindley. Joel Hurt (Beeston Cycling Club) completed the podium with last weekend’s winner Tinsley in seventh.
Women’s junior race
Early on, a compelling duel was set up between Cat Ferguson of Hope Tech Factory Racing and the winner of round one, Imogen Wolff from TRINITY Racing. The Great Britain riders broke clear from the pack, showcasing their prowess and power from the start. Their determination was evident as they vied for the top spot, each pushing the other to the limit.
A bit further behind, Alice Colling of Shibden Cycling Club emerged as a potential podium contender, alone in third position despite the gap from the duo.
Throughout the race, Ferguson and Wolff showcased an impeccable display of skill and endurance, as they led the race with almost a minute gap from the others. Their determination made it a neck-and-neck competition.
However, on the uphill hairpins towards the latter part of the race, Ferguson managed to seize an opportunity to break away from Wolff. With a burst of energy, she navigated through the challenging terrain, creating a decisive lead that Wolff couldn’t overcome.
In a show of sheer power and determination, Ferguson crossed the finish line victoriously. Wolff followed closely, clinching second spot. Colling was best of the rest.
Women’s elite race
Anna Kay (Cyclocross Reds) took a commanding lead from the very first lap of the hilly Thornton course and didn’t look in any trouble of securing a convincing victory in her first National Trophy race of the 2023-24 season.
Initially, the pack trying to chase down the North East racer was led by Ruby James (Hope Factory Racing). However, as the scattered patches of heavily churned mud began to thicken, it was South Shields winner Elena Day (Team Spectra Cannondale P/B DAS) – resplendent in the Series leader’s yellow jersey – who slogged her way through the mud traps the quickest to try and reel Kay back in.
Despite Day’s burst of pace, she was so evenly matched with Kay that the gap between them never really decreased. Day might trim a few seconds off Kay’s lead, but the latter would respond with a quicker lap immediately afterward.
Kay crossed the line with just under 30 seconds in hand, with Day second, winning the under-23 category in the process. Team Empella’s Alderney Baker rounded out the overall podium with Hope Inglis (Brother UK-Orientation Marketing) pipping James in a battle to the finish to take fourth.
Men’s elite race
On a stormy afternoon, the race course at Thornton Hall witnessed a blend of harsh weather and fierce competition as the men’s elite race unfolded. A heavy rain shower right before the men’s race turned the course into a mud pit, challenging the riders right from the get-go.
As the racers lined up, all eyes were on Thomas Mein (Hope Factory Racing), the victor of the previous week’s round 1. As the race flagged off, it was evident that the elite men came prepared to conquer the muddy trails, flying from the start line like rockets.
From the start, it was Under-23 Series leader Dan Barnes (Team Spectra Cannondale P/B DAS) who scrambled through the mud fastest, under hot pursuit from Jente Michels (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Mein.
The trio broke clear of the squabbling pack behind, but as Michels and Mein turned up the pace, Barnes started to drop back as the course – which had been soaked by a rain shower pre-race – was pelted by a sudden hailstorm
By the third lap, Michels made a bold move and broke clear during the second visit to the pits. Mein, showcasing remarkable agility, was quick to ascend the hill, ensuring Michels didn’t widen the gap significantly.
The fourth lap saw Michels having a minor slip on the increasingly slippery hairpins, a testament to the gruelling conditions the athletes were contending with.
By the bell, however, Michels had a 30-second margin. Despite the muddy and wet conditions, Michels displayed an unwavering resolve, ultimately flying solo to a well-deserved victory at Thornton Hall, leaving the field in his wake. Mein was second, Barnes finished third.
The next round of the National Trophy Series is on 28 October at Moorsway Leisure Centre, Derbyshire.
Results
Men’s junior
Women’s junior
Women’s elite
Men’s elite
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