on 25th January 2022
Team Jewson–M.I.Racing–Polypipe–McCann, have just completed a very successful 2021/2 Cyclo Cross season after competing in events all over the U.K. Star of the Team has been Kenilworth’s Darren Atkins, son of 13 times British Champion John Atkins, and now featuring as one of Darren’s main helpers at events.
Darren finished 3rd in the U.C.I. World Masters Championships behind former Champion Jens Schwedler (Germany) and his biggest U.K. rival Nick Craig, he then went on to finish 2nd behind Craig in the British Cycling Championship. He won the British Masters Cycle Racing Championships, the Midland Championships and the Midland Series Championships (10 races) In total 12 Victories – clearly in a class of his own and he has earnt a well deserved rest, before planning next seasons campaign. Darren was supported by his long time friend and rival, Steve Knight.
Steve finished 3rd overall in the Midland series loosing 2nd place by just 1 point but did manage to secure 2 victories during the season along with a host of other podium places. Coventry based Peter Busby secured a well earned 2nd place over all in the Midland series for riders 55 and over. Peter will move into the 60+ group next season.
Lady Veteran rider Karen Summers finished winner of the Senior Lady Veteran class in the Midland series, along with several individual victories and 13 year old Jefferson Tear made the podium in 3rd place in the under 14 years series. Added to these performances there were victories for Kirby Bennett who beat the current World Champion, Pete Harris on several occasions and secured several outstanding victories. Kirby finished 7th in the World Championships, and more success came from former World Champion, Phil Roach, but his season was cut short following work commitment abroad, despite this, he still finished a brilliant 4th at the World Championships. But he will target the World Championships as his main priority next season.
No other team in the West Midlands can quote such an impressive season, and even more is planned for next season. Team Boss Mick Ives said, “We will have an even stronger line up next season, as several new additions are in the “Pipe Line ” and the World Championships will be our main goal after all we have won a total of 7 World Masters Cyclo Cross Championships in recent years. n A lot of riders talk about riding the Worlds, but winning it or even getting on the podium, is another ball game – we have the riders capable of doing just that.”