Durham University Cycling Club

DUCC were busy over easter, here’s some of what we got up to.

Time Trials

Easter meant the first of the ‘flat’ BUCS time-trials, the 3up Team TT and the 10 mile TT. Confidence was high as we went into the events with the Women especially expected to medal. And they did not disappoint, a silver in the 3up, followed by team and individual gold with a storming ride by Mathilde Matthijsse in the 10mile. The men managed a silver in the 3up (missing out on gold by 3 seconds!) and a team record individual 10th for Alex Clayton and team 7th in the 10mile. Both events represented impressive points hauls for DUCC with the 10 being a record of 39, putting us at the top of the BUCS Cycling table with just 2 events left. Full Reports: BUCS 3up TTT BUCS 10 TT

Two weeks earlier Mathilde set one of the fastest ever women’s 10 mile TT times with a 21:43 at the Lancashire RC 10.

Nathan Edwards began the break with a good showing in the Welwyn Hilly 26 mile TT, a major improvement on previous time trial results.

Crits

Alex and Nathan also went to Hog Hill to race in the San Fairy Ann Crits, Alex unfortunately punctured, but Nathan gained 5th and his third cat license. Full Report.

MTB

Tom Hards had the first round of the CRC MTB Marathon Series, 75k of dry and dusty trails through the Cambrian Mountains. Big climbs, big views and a big crowd of nearly 1000 riders made for a fantastic atmosphere and epic day. Finishing in the top 100 of those who made the full distance and improving on last year by 15 minutes was pretty satisfying and bodes well for the rest of the season.

March saw the first round of the new Nutcracker MTB series. Being a BC points qualifying series, the turnout was good, with around 200 competitors in various categories. There were three races in total:

Race 1- Youths (U16), Fun (Go-MTB – non ranking)

Race 2- Experts, Elites

Race 3- Juniors (17-18), Senior Sports (19+), Masters (30+), Veterans (40+)/Grand Veterans (50+)

The only Durham rider present was Matt Wilson, in the senior sports category. He came in 7^th. Two days of rain and a morning of sunshine resulted in a very muddy course, making what would normally have been a fast course painfully slow in places.  Hopefully the weather will be better for the next few races, and with the promise of some hills next time future rounds look ‘enjoyable’.

Today, Nathan Edwards and Alex Clayton went to Hog Hill to for a 4th cat and 3rd/4th cat race respectively. The 2km course at Hog Hill is, though being easy technically, with long sweeping corners, the most demanding custom built circuit we’ve come across. As the Hill in the name suggests, the circuit contains a very hard sharp climb up to the finish.

First to ride was Nathan in the 4th cats. Needing just 2 points to move up a category, he needed 8th place or better from a field of 40. The race started relatively fast and never really got slower. Nathan attempted to spice things up a bit up the climb on the second lap by riding off the front. He succeeded in splitting the field but almost getting tailed off himself. Over the next few laps cracks appeared and the front group was whittled down to 20. With half the race gone a couple of riders who had appeared very strong in the opening stages went off together and Nathan had to make a big effort to initiate the chase. At the finale a group of 15 charged up the hill with Nathan coming a very respectable 5th despite having wasted energy in a couple of pointless efforts earlier on. Lessons learned, next time they’ll be 3rd cats he’s against.

Sadly Alex’s ride was slightly less successful. After sitting comfortably in the bunch for 15 laps, he punctured, and because of the proximity to the end of the race wasn’t allowed a lap out. The puncture was a fairly exciting affair, coming halfway through the first corner which is downhill and possibly the tightest corner on the course. This led to some serious rear wheel drifting and one rider having to take a brief detour off-road. Thankfully though everyone stayed upright!