on 27th September 2023
There were no celebrations for Team Enable-M.I.Racing-McCann at round 3 of the West Midlands Cyclocross League held on Sunday, 17th September. Everyone involved with the sport of Cyclocross was shocked to hear that the team’s most popular rider, Steve Knight, suffered a cardiac arrest while out on his bike the day before the race. Steve very sadly passed away at the scene.
One of the greats of British Cyclocross, 56-year-old Steve, from Halesowen, won the British Pro/Am Senior Champs, Veteran and Masters National Championships on many occasions. He was the current British Masters Cycle Racing National Champion and the West Midlands series winner.
Steve had been a member of Team M.I.Racing for over 30 years. Team boss Mick Ives said, “I have known Steve for over 40 years. He was the perfect team member and was looked up to and admired by all who met him. He will be a great loss to the sport and the team. Our thoughts are with his parents, who have travelled to every race to support him over the last 40 years, and also with his partner, Karen. Like many others, I am still in shock.”
The racing success by the team on that Sunday was not celebrated. The team secured 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the 50+ race. A race that Steve Knight was due to participate in. Nick Whiteley led from the gun, to take his 3rd victory in 3 rides. Darren Atkins made a brave attempt to catch Whiteley, but was never in the same league, and was caught by teammate Nick Popham at 3/4 distance, but managed to outsprint Nick for 2nd place.
In the Senior event, new member Tom Bradley from Warwick had an excellent ride for 15th place. Colin Miller secured 7th position in the 40+ race.
The organisers held a minute’s silence at the start of each race in respect of Steve Knight.
At round 4 of the League, held on Sunday, 24th September, it was another 1, 2, 3 for the Stratford/Coventry Team. Organised by Solihull CC and on a course between Fillongley and Meriden, Nick Whiteley, winning his 4th race in 4 rides, led from the start. He was never challenged, on a tricky course, made difficult by a shower of rain before the race started. Behind Nick, there was a scrap between local star, Darren Atkins, and his teammate Nick Popham. Popham got away to a good start and Atkins had a long, hard chase to catch his teammate. Then on the final lap, Atkins had a problem in the wooded section, allowing Popham to secure 2nd place and Atkins 3rd. The 4th rider to finish was a long way back, such is the form of the Enable-sponsored team.
Next week’s round is at the same venue and also organised by Solihull C.C.
In the 60+ race, Kirby Bennett kept the team colours to the fore with a brilliant 2nd place, behind the current European Champion. In his first race of the season, Kirby was followed by teammate and former World Masters Champion, Phil Roach (Rugby). Roach also finished 3rd in the Central League event the afternoon before.
15-year-old Jefferson Tier showed a great improvement in form with a brilliant 2nd place in the Under 16 race, beaten in a sprint finish.
The Hill Climbing season is now underway, and Team Enable was represented by Tom Parsons who finished 3rd in the Mill Lee Road climb near Sheffield.