The 3rd annual running of the Woolly Mamil Winter circuit series over the last four weeks at Stourport saw all the seasons represented. From a cold, bright frosty start, we also saw unseasonably mild and sunny, windy and that old school British classic, horizontal rain, when storm Henry said hello for the last race on 6th February.
Having said that, we managed to put all the races on, probably pushing our luck with the cycling Gods a little.
The format remained the same as previous years, a women’s only race followed by u14/16s then 1/2/3/4s and finally the 4th Cat only event. Participation rates were really high – the 4th Cat only races got up to the maximum 50 slots well before each event. Similarly, the youth racing was oversubscribed on Round 3. Round 2 saw 27 women take to the start line. Pretty impressive commitment from riders of all categories for what is, after all, crit racing in January.
Round 1 Saturday 16th January 2016
Two bags of Telford Farm Machinery’s finest rock salt and some hefty broom work from the Mamil team saw the course ready for some great racing in the opening women’s event.
Having said that, we managed to put all the races on, probably pushing our luck with the cycling Gods a little.
The format remained the same as previous years, a women’s only race followed by u14/16s then 1/2/3/4s and finally the 4th Cat only event. Participation rates were really high – the 4th Cat only races got up to the maximum 50 slots well before each event. Similarly, the youth racing was oversubscribed on Round 3. Round 2 saw 27 women take to the start line. Pretty impressive commitment from riders of all categories for what is, after all, crit racing in January.
Round 1 Saturday 16th January 2016
Two bags of Telford Farm Machinery’s finest rock salt and some hefty broom work from the Mamil team saw the course ready for some great racing in the opening women’s event.
Baz putting a shift in
The women at Ansell Corner Masie Duckworth of PMR took the win on a shortened course from Lauren O'Brien of Team Giordana- Triton with Catherine Coley of newcomers Ludlow Brewery Racing team a strong third.
On the de-iced full course Matt Radford of Wolverhampton Wheelers made an early break with Luke Pollard stick in the senior event with Matt winning after Luke indulged in a little cyclo-cross on the last corner. Joe Swinnerton took 3rd from the bunch.
Rad Radford winning from Luke Pollard
Matt Lewis of WWCC won from Josh Price in the U16 Boys race with Will Swarbrick of Cheltenham & County CC winning from Freddie Loveday (Leamington C & AC) and Jack Wilson (LBRT) in a hard fought and fast 4th Cat race.
The 4th Cats line up
Round 2 Saturday 23rd January 2016
A mild sunny clear day greeted the riders for round 2 with Catherine Coley of the Ludlow Brewery Race Team winning in a very close finish from a field of 27 women racers with Melissa Baker of Wolverhampton Wheelers and Masie Duckworth (PMR) in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
A mild sunny clear day greeted the riders for round 2 with Catherine Coley of the Ludlow Brewery Race Team winning in a very close finish from a field of 27 women racers with Melissa Baker of Wolverhampton Wheelers and Masie Duckworth (PMR) in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Catherine Coley taking the win
Matt and Josh battling out again In a reversal of Round I Joshua Price of Ride 24/7 won from Matthew Lewis of Wolverhampton Wheelers in the U16 Boys race the Oscar Mingay (JIF) in third.
Cameron Pilkington Eastlands Velo won in the u14 Boys with Bevan Smith Cardiff (JIF) Ayrton Smith of the Maindy Flyers Youth CC backing up in second and third spots
Cameron Pilkington Eastlands Velo won in the u14 Boys with Bevan Smith Cardiff (JIF) Ayrton Smith of the Maindy Flyers Youth CC backing up in second and third spots
Luke Pollard Luke Pollard (Nova Raiders) took a great solo win after a staying away from a high quality field for the majority of the race. New boy in the Raleigh GAC outfit for 2016, Jack Escritt won the bunch gallop for second place from a fast finishing Michael Burke (Welland Valley CC) in third.
In the 4ths Duncan Parsonage (Uttoxeter Cycling Club) won from Freddie Loveday (Leamington C & AC0 with James Duncan of the GBC Racing Team in third.
In the 4ths Duncan Parsonage (Uttoxeter Cycling Club) won from Freddie Loveday (Leamington C & AC0 with James Duncan of the GBC Racing Team in third.
Round 3 Saturday 30th January 2016
Thankfully dry but with a bitingly cold wind would nicely describe the day for Round 3. With our brave band of winter crit riders wholly undeterred by the conditions, there were close to full fields for all of the 4 races.
A really exciting and fast paced women race saw Lauren O’Brien (University of Birmingham CC) win from Molly Patch (CC London) with the ever strong, competitive and consistent Catherine Coley of the Ludlow Brewery Race Team finishing in third
Thankfully dry but with a bitingly cold wind would nicely describe the day for Round 3. With our brave band of winter crit riders wholly undeterred by the conditions, there were close to full fields for all of the 4 races.
A really exciting and fast paced women race saw Lauren O’Brien (University of Birmingham CC) win from Molly Patch (CC London) with the ever strong, competitive and consistent Catherine Coley of the Ludlow Brewery Race Team finishing in third
 The lead group in the women's race |  |
In the U14 girls Millie Couzens of Zappis Racing Team won from Aimee Lane of local club Wyre Forest CRC with Tia Froom (NFTO) in third.
Joshua Price Ride 24/7 won the u16 Boys race and, with racing companion Matt Lewis, away Joshua Sandman of Climb On Bikes and George Bazley (Bristol Cycling DS) in second and third respectively.
James Hill of RST won in the senior event after a strong break with James Ireson of the newly formed NAB Racing Team in second and Jake Stewart (Swinnerton Cycles) in third.
Joshua Price Ride 24/7 won the u16 Boys race and, with racing companion Matt Lewis, away Joshua Sandman of Climb On Bikes and George Bazley (Bristol Cycling DS) in second and third respectively.
James Hill of RST won in the senior event after a strong break with James Ireson of the newly formed NAB Racing Team in second and Jake Stewart (Swinnerton Cycles) in third.
James Ireson hanging on to the wheel
The 4ths lining up In the 4ths Craig Nicolson (ROM Velo) won from Jack Wilson (Ludlow Brewery RT) and Gerard Henry of Cult Racing.
Round 4 Saturday 6th February 2016
Storm Henry tried his best to put our intrepid riders off their game for Round 4 but failed dismally to do so. Whilst riders, spectators, Commissaires and organisers had to cope with a good soaking, the wind was strong enough to be a factor in the racing but not strong enough to warrant the event being cancelled.
In the women’s race Lauren O' Brien (UOB CC) take her second win and third podium of the series. Elizabeth Catlow of Bourne Wheelers was second and Molly Patch third. Hayley Bosworth (700CC) finished 4th to secure her 3rd Category licence with Catherine Coley (LBRT) once again amongst the points in 6th.
In the women’s race Lauren O' Brien (UOB CC) take her second win and third podium of the series. Elizabeth Catlow of Bourne Wheelers was second and Molly Patch third. Hayley Bosworth (700CC) finished 4th to secure her 3rd Category licence with Catherine Coley (LBRT) once again amongst the points in 6th.
The fast women's race all lined out
In the U14 boys Jack Rootkin-Gray of Solihull CC won from Hayden Norris (Lichfield CC) and Cameron Pilkington (Eastlands Velo).
Aimee Lane of local club Wyre Forest CRC won the U14 girls with Hollie Owens (Lichfield CC) and Tia Froom of NFTO in third.
The battle for the U16 boys title continued with Joshua Price of Ride 24/7 overcoming Matthew Lewis of WWCC this time. Lewis Askey (RST) was third.
Aimee Lane of local club Wyre Forest CRC won the U14 girls with Hollie Owens (Lichfield CC) and Tia Froom of NFTO in third.
The battle for the U16 boys title continued with Joshua Price of Ride 24/7 overcoming Matthew Lewis of WWCC this time. Lewis Askey (RST) was third.
The Josh/Matt battle continues
Local pro Adam Lewis of NHT Cycling Team came back from Belgium to win the senior event with a measured chase down on a strong and early break winning from Ben Nott and James Hill (RST Racing Team). Great to see Adam back and supporting this event once again.
In the final race of the series Jacob Sparrow of the well represented Ludlow Brewery Race Team won the 4ths with Craig Nicolson and Tim Spencer, also of the Ludlow Brewery Race Team in second and third respectively.
In the final race of the series Jacob Sparrow of the well represented Ludlow Brewery Race Team won the 4ths with Craig Nicolson and Tim Spencer, also of the Ludlow Brewery Race Team in second and third respectively.
Wet Wet Wet
4th Cat racing has come in for some stick recently but, apart from a few minor slips, all agreed it was face paced classy riding every week from these guys. We were similarly delighted to attract so many women racers to the winter series – the category gets stronger every year. There were never less than 20 riders on the grid with a maximum 27 in round 2. Really encouraging.
Big thanks to the volunteers, marshals, helpers and to Worcester Cycling Centre who once again provided the prizes for the event. Stourport Sports Club have also been superb putting up with us mobbing the club house for 4 weeks on the bounce.
A lot of work behind the scenes goes on to ensure the timing solution works and the results are collated and distributed as quickly as possible. Thank you to Simon in particular for running the timings.
Sometimes we make mistakes: when we do we fess up and get on with it. Almost without exception we have been met with smiles and cooperation and good natured banter. Often the kids have led the way in that.
We’ve really enjoyed putting this on. It’s important to us we catered for as many riders as possible, particularly encouraging grass roots cycling and that we tried to keep the entry fee as reasonable as possible.
Finally, a big thanks to the riders who supported the events. You make it worthwhile. Have great seasons and remember to factor in the Winter series in 2017 as part of your preparation.
Big thanks to the volunteers, marshals, helpers and to Worcester Cycling Centre who once again provided the prizes for the event. Stourport Sports Club have also been superb putting up with us mobbing the club house for 4 weeks on the bounce.
A lot of work behind the scenes goes on to ensure the timing solution works and the results are collated and distributed as quickly as possible. Thank you to Simon in particular for running the timings.
Sometimes we make mistakes: when we do we fess up and get on with it. Almost without exception we have been met with smiles and cooperation and good natured banter. Often the kids have led the way in that.
We’ve really enjoyed putting this on. It’s important to us we catered for as many riders as possible, particularly encouraging grass roots cycling and that we tried to keep the entry fee as reasonable as possible.
Finally, a big thanks to the riders who supported the events. You make it worthwhile. Have great seasons and remember to factor in the Winter series in 2017 as part of your preparation.
Ron at Ansell Corner
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