on 12th September 2023
NUMBER 2 FOR CHAMP
Nick Whitley—Team Enable—M.I.Racing—McCann made light work of round 2 of the West Midlands Cyclo-Cross series, held at the Shrewsbury Sports Village.
Nick, who is the reigning champion, once again led from the start in the 50+ race, which had over 100 starters, with teammate Darren Atkins in hot pursuit. The race started in dry conditions, but then the rain arrived, changing the whole event and making the surfaces like ice, causing many crashes. This included Darren Atkins, who fell twice and injured his hand. Whitley revelled in the conditions, using his bike-handling skills from mountain biking to his advantage, to run out a clear winner. Atkins finished in 2nd place and Nick Popham in 4th.
Local favourite Steve Knight suffered a series of mechanical problems and rolled home in an unusual 8th place. Jimmy Goodwin finished 43rd, and Andy Jackson, in only his third-ever race, finished 65th.
There was more team success in the 60+ race, where former World Masters Champion Phil Roach, riding his first race since January, also led from start to finish, once again showing his amazing bike-handling skills. Pete Busby finished 4th despite crashing and breaking a finger. Teammate Alan Parsons travelled all the way down from Bolsover in Derbyshire to finish a very creditable 9th. Tim Stowe was injured during the race and did not finish.
In the Ladies’ Veteran Races, Karen Summers was beaten into 2nd place in the 50+ event by former World Masters Champion Isla Rowntree. Lindsey Whitley finished 5th in the 40+ race.
15-year-old Jefferson Tear finished 7th in the Under-16 event.
In the men’s 40+ race, Colin Miller suffered a broken rear mech and did not finish.
It was another outstanding series of results from the team.