Matlock CC’s Ellie clinches East Mids cycle cross silver

Matlock Cycling Club’s Ellie Smith travelled up to Middlesbrough with the East Midlands Youth team to compete in the Inter-Area Cyclo-Cross Championships at the weekend.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Clear skies had left the Tarmac sections of the course resembling an ice rink but as the sun came up, the conditions improved, making for a fast race.

The boys had a great day as their East Midlands team took the overall boys’ category win from Yorkshire who came second and the West Midlands team came third.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The East Midlands’ girls completed a good day for the area, taking second place in the girls’ category, only seven points behind the victorious North West girls.

The East Midlands’ Youth Girls silver medallist team included, as pictured, Maddie Gammons, of Bourne Wheelers, Xan Crees, of Derby Mercury, Ellie Smith, of Matlock CC, and Isabelle Boon, of Derby Mercury.

Matlock CC youngsters Ellie Smith and Will Gascoyne also travelled to Southampton on Sunday, November 3, to take part in round two of this season’s National Trophy Cyclo Cross Series.

The event was held in mostly dry yet windy weather, with the ground holding out well with not much mud despite the recent rain.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ellie Smith – competing in the under 14 girls’ category – had a difficult start to her race as she was involved in a minor crash on the first lap, but rode strongly through the field to finish in fourth position, just 10 seconds off a podium place.

Hope Race Team’s Lucy Horrocks took the win from local rider Poppy Wildman, whilst Ellie Russell took the final podium spot finishing in third.

Ellie’s result means she is now fifth overall in the National Trophy Series after two rounds.

Meanwhile, Will Gascoyne took part in the boys’ under 16s race.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Gascoyne also put in a solid performance, finishing in fourth place overall, but was unable to match the pace of the overall winner Dan Tullett of Hargroves Cycles who comfortably led from the start.

Meanwhile, Matlock CC’s Sarah Briggs took part in the Norton Charity Cyclo Cross race at Graves Park in Sheffield, on Saturday, November 2.

Briggs – riding in the under 12 girls’ category – finished first, but was the second placed under 12 rider overall with Taylor Carr of Lichfield City Cycling Club beating her as he took the boy’s honours.

Related topics: