BETH CRUMPTON continued her superb form as she powered to victory in the women’s event in round six of the Ridley Lazer West Midlands Cyclo-Cross League.
There was no stopping the Redditch rider as she clinched victory a week after her triumph in the first round of the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross series at Derby on Sunday.
Crumpton will now compete in round three of the UCI World Cup series in Koksijde, Belgium, on Sunday after finishing 30th in round two, which took place in Wisconsin, USA, recently.
Then follows round two of the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross series in Abergavenny on Sunday, October 29.
Crumpton, who races for Storey Racing, was pleased by her weekend’s efforts last time out at Baggeridge Country Park in Dudley, which provided riders with the challenge of hilled banks, slippery descents and technical wooded sections.
The 23-year-old also won the first round before flying to America for two World Cup rounds and led from the start as she never looked in any trouble – winning by almost three minutes.
With previous round winners Hannah Payton and Harriet Harnden absent, it was left to veteran Isla Rowntree (Isla Bikes) to lead the chase behind. She was locked in battle with Melissa Baker (unattached) and junior rider Xan Crees (Team Empella Cyclo-Cross.com).
It was Rowntree who proved the strongest for second, distancing Baker and Crees during the final few laps, with Baker taking third.
Crumpton showed her strength and skills once again to clinch victory by almost three minutes and reflected: “It was a shame none of the other big-hitters were there as there are a lot of good riders in the region.
“I’m in really good form and used the race to get ready for the bigger races over the next few weeks. It was a good course as my dad (John Crumpton) designed it and he always likes to make it technical and I like it that way.
“I’m travelling over to the World Cup in Koksijde next week which is different to any other race as it is famous for its sand dunes which we don’t have over here.
“It’s only the second time I’ve raced on sand so I’m not sure whether I like it or not. My running has really come on in the last couple of months by doing park runs but running on sand is very different.
“I will go with it and do the best I can. The following week I will be riding the National Trophy in Abergavenny in the yellow leader’s jersey which will be tough against some international competition.”
Isla Mason (Redditch Road & Path CC) clinched victory in the U16 girls’ event, with early leader Josie Nelson (Lichfield City CC) second and Lucy Hart (Mid-Shropshire Wheelers) third.
Benjamin Gilmour (Redditch Road & Path CC) won the U6 category, with Millie Barton (Mid-Shropshire Wheelers) first girl.
Report courtesy of Ben Goddard.
