Unprecedented victory for Kona rider in repeat of 2010 podium while last year’s bronze steps up for men’s title
Helen Wyman (Kona) won an unprecedented sixth Great Britain cyclocross title in Derby this weekend. The 29-year-old led the race from the very first lap to finish 54 seconds ahead of local rider Nikki Harris (APB Cycling Team) and 1’10” ahead of Gabby Day (Chainstay-Renner), in a repeat of last year’s podium.
“The national championships are always a big deal,” said Wyman after the race, “even if you don’t target them. I’m very proud to wear the jersey, and to win for a record 6th time is fantastic. It feel just as good to win this year as ever before and I couldn’t be happier
“The next 3 weeks are big for me,” continued the winner of this season’s Koppenbergcross, “two very good World Cup courses that suit my strengths and then Worlds. A nice easy week coming up, followed by some final prep and I’m confident I’ll be in good shape for St Wendel”
The race was always going to be decided between the three Belgian based riders, but when Wyman accelerated into the lead on the first lap – increasing her lead into the second lap – her sixth red, white and blue jersey was all but assured; Harris and Day were left fighting for the silver medal behind Wyman, with the rest of the field far behind.
Wyman continued to increase the gap over the battling Day and Harris; Day managed to hold off the Derbyshire rider until the final lap, when Harris managed to get past over the hurdles, as Day slipped, and open a small gap.
Paul Oldham wins much closer men’s race
The elite men’s race was taken by Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing) after a much closer contest. The silver medallist from 2009, and bronze medallist of 2008 and 2010, finished 18 seconds ahead of 2009 champion Jody Crawforth (Hargroves Cycles), with multiple medaallist Liam Killeen (Giant) finishing just 3 seconds behind him.
The early running was made by Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles), who was caught by Oldham in the middle of the second lap. The two rode together for a while until disaster struck Field and he came down on a muddy switchback; he remounted and worked with teammate Crawforth to try to get back on terms.
Oldham continued alone with Crawforth and Killeen behind him, and the Hope rider took the finish line alone. Behind Oldham, the battle for silver was ultimately taken by Crawforth, when he bunny hopped the hurdles for the final time and pulled out a few seconds’ gap on Killeen.
Great Britain Cyclocross Championships results
Elite Women
1 Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Team)
2 Nikki Harris (APB Cycling Team) @ 54s
3 Gabriella Day (The Chainstay-Renner) @ 1’ 10”
4 Hannah Payton (Stourbridge) @ 4’ 17”
5 Victoria Wilkinson (Individual Member) @ 4’ 45”
6 Bethany Crumpton (Halesowen) @ 4’ 46”
7 Corrine Hall (Team Corridori) @ 4’ 53”
8 Amy Roberts (Cardiff Ajax) @ 6’ 14”
9 Ruby Miller (Horizon Fitness) @ 7’ 10”
10 Delia Beddis (Dulwich Paragon) @ 7’ 49”
Elite Men
1 Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing)
2 Jody Crawforth (Hargroves Cycles) @ 18s
3 Liam Killeen (Giant) @ 21s
4 Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles) @ 43s
5 Nick Craig (Team Scott UK) @ 1’ 31”
6 Stuart Bowers Hargroves Cycles @ 1’ 50”
7 Rob Jebb (Wheelbase.co.uk) @ 3’ 04”
8 Tom Last (Sigma Sport) @ 4’ 42”
9 Lewis Craven (Wheelbase.co.uk) @ 5’ 17”
10 Darren Barclay (Arctic-Premier) @ 5’ 21”