UK cyclo-cross round-up: Bibby grabs top spot

After competing for a spot on the podium in the latest round of the National Trophy, Ian Bibby (Science in Sport-Trek) and Nick Craig (Scott UK) battled for glory once again in the Macclesfield Wheelers Supacross.

The duo, who finished fifth and sixth respectively in the fifth round of the national series in December, resumed their battle over a fast, dry course at the popular Cheshire event.

Bibby edged the victory by just 10 seconds over Craig on Sunday, while Specialized ace Liam Killeen, who won the cross-country mountain bike race at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, took third spot, 21 seconds behind Bibby, as he continued his build-up to the National Cyclo-Cross Championships next weekend. Stuart Wearmouth (Picarsso Pulman) was fourth, and top junior Dan McLay (Univega) proved his talent with fifth place.

Newby rides to second victory in eastern league

Ian Newby scored his second victory of the Eastern Cyclo-Cross League series when he won the Gateway Greenspaces Cross at Corringham, Essex, on Sunday.

The Diss & District CC rider won by more than two minutes at LangdonHillsCountryPark, with Cambridge University CC’s Andrew Nichol second and team-mate Richard Dunnett third, just inches behind.

Stuart Chatting (Amis Velo) came fourth but he was pushed all the way by top junior Tom Castle (Glendene CC), who held off Lotto Olympia ace Craig Beech for a place in the top five.

Collins dominates in West Midlands

National Trophy Series hopeful Dave Collins maintained his good recent form with victory in the Coventry Road Club Boxing Day cyclo-cross at Kenilworth Common, crossing the line comfortably ahead of his nearest rivals.

The Science in Sport-Trek rider, who is currently fourth in the national series with one round remaining, mastered a cold but dry course and won by a good margin from Lutterworth Cycle Centre rival Carl Sturgeon, while his team-mate Matt Barrett brought up the rear in third spot.

With the National Championships only a week away, Collins looks likely to turn in a strong performance with his form peaking at just the right time, although with the likes of Roger Hammond and Liam Killeen due back from their overseas race programmes to contest the title race, Collins will do well to challenge for a medal.

Nevertheless, he looked smooth and strong as he powered round the Kenilworth course. He lapped all but eight of the field after leading from the start and powering away on the opening lap to leave his rivals scrapping for the minor placings.

Bowers wins in Wessex

Elsewhere on Boxing Day, Hargroves Cycles ace Stuart Bowers proved victorious in the Crabwood Cycling Club event, crossing the line 2min 38sec ahead of nearest rival Scott Forbes (Pedal On).

The event was the eighth round of the Wessex League, and while Bowers looked dominant he is not in line for the overall title, having scored points in just four of the races so far.

Young Billy-Joe Whenman completed the podium for the event at Southampton Sport Centre, 3min 13sec behind Bowers, while only 11 others in a quality field of 67 riders managed to avoid being lapped by the eventual winner.

And 24 hours later Whenman scored victory in the latest round of the London Cyclo-Cross League at Footscray Outdoor Activity Centre in Kent, where he beat Team Corridori’s Chris Ansell to the line in the senior race.

Results