3 Victories for Team Enable–M.I.Racing–McCann

It was another very successful days racing for Team M.I.Racing and their new Sponso Stratford based “Enable” when competing in the final round of the West Midlands Cyclo Cross series. The event held on a private estate, near Wolverhampton, in what were very unfavourable conditions with rain soaked ground and almost freezing temperatures and a very strong wind. But, Cyclo Cross is a tough sport and competitors of all ages completed the final round of the series in a very competitive mood.

14 year old Jefferson Tear set the ball rolling, riding his first race for 5 weeks, following illness, he bounced back in brilliant form to win the under 16 years event giving away 2 yrs to his older rivals! It was his 4th victory of the season, and he will now compete in the British Championships next weekend, against the very best in the U.K., to gain more experience for the future and at the same time hope for another good result.

Not to be out done, the Teams leading rider this winter, Darren Atkins, from Kenilworth, dominated his 50+ race from start to finish attacking in the first few yards with his main rival Nick Popham, from Team Rotor, they soon established a massive lead over the other riders, and it was soon just Atkins out in front as he set too fast a pace for Popham to follow.  The gap at the end of the race being 3/4 min! Behind them, team mate Steve Knight, the recently crowned British Masters Champion, chased in 3rd place , but never showed signs of reducing the gap up to Popham and had to settle for yet another 3rd place.

It was Atkins 11th victory of the season , just 1 short of last years total, with 2 more races to go.

A great ride by Coventry team member Peter Busby in the 60+ race saw him dominate the race from start to finish, and establish a massive lead from early on in the race which he continued to increase to score his first victory of the season – a much deserved reward. Behind him, his team mate Tim Stowe slowly moved though the field to take 4th place.

It was a tough introduction to the sport  for one of the Teams leading Time Trial riders, Andy Jackson , riding his first ever Cyclo Cross, but despite being lapped by Atkins, said he really enjoyed the experience – Team Boss Mick Ives said,  “I am amazed Andy enjoyed the terrible conditions and may be we will see him competing  again next season,” Andy rode on the bike that Mick Ives won his last World Masters Championship on!

Next weekend the Team are sending 10 riders to compete in the British Championships at Milnthorpe, in North Lancashire – Team Boss Mick said, “Whilst we are expecting to get some great results, and hopefully podium places, lets not be under any illusions, this will be one tough weekend of racing, and anything can happen. We have won at the Nationals before and we can win again. With a new main sponsor supporting the Team, it is very important we do well…” No pressure!

Our Team line up to try and regain the Over 50 Team Championship is boosted by new signing Nick Whitley, who flies in from Australia a few days before his race. Both Nick and Darren Atkins should be challenging for the individual title as well with Steve Knight not too far behind

In the 60+ championship, Kirby Bennett is our best chance of a podium place having won the title a few years earlier backed up by Busby, Stowe and Parsons.

Karen Summers will ride the Veteran Ladies Championships if she has recovered from Covid…

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