Promoters wishing to submit results should send them to cyclingnews
by Ron Duggins
Saturday, January 5's Notts and Derbys League cyclo-cross event could be classed as the Desperate Dan
Classic with the two Dans - Alexander and Booth - battling for supremacy. The outcome was only settled
on the final lap with reigning champion Alexander winning by 19 seconds.
The cyclo-cross 'road show' moved out of its normal territory and travelled to Leicestershire in a bid to kick-start the sport into new life. Whether it did, was debatable on a course which was covered with a layer of mud which made conditions difficult for most riders.
From the shorter start lap Booth (Ace RT) took the lead with Ben Eedy (Bradgate RC) and Alexander (Matlock CC/Wards Shoe Shops/Clarks) working hard to stay with him, but 100 yards adrift as they passed the lap counters. On the next lap Alexander had moved into second, Eedy third, ahead of Julian Gould (Ace RT) and Vin Cox (cyclo-cross.com) neck and neck.
Alexander took the lead on the next lap, Booth second and Cox third. The fourth lap saw a big lead open up but at the fifth there was only a length separating them. At the bell Alexander was 50 yards ahead with Cox third and that was how it finished at the end of 47.50 of racing. Eedy ran the final few yards and pipped Gould for fourth. Alexander was ecstatic with his win and said: "Danny went off quicker than I expected and I spent most of the race chasing him. Even when I caught him I thought he would win.
"I attacked on the last lap on the section where I knew I was stronger. I was in top gear and got away. I thoroughly enjoyed the race and the mud."
Matlock's Sam Thorne was again beaten by a visiting rider Stephen Roach (Rugby Velo) but still leads the youth league while his clubmate Tom Last in fourth place could take the under 14 title to add to the silver medal he won in the national trophy series the previous week. Nikki Harris was first girl. Ben Roach (Rugby Velo) won the u-12 race with William Verney (Chevin Chasers) and Lawrence Frost (Ashfield RC) behind and still scrapping for the end-of-season honours.
1 Dan Alexander 47.50 2 Dan Booth 3 Vin Cox (cyclo-cross.com) 4 Ben Eedy (Bradgate RC) 5 Julian Gould (Ace RT) Junior: Stephen Roach (Rugby Velo) Veteran: Bob Wood-Anderson (Matlock CC) Grand veteran: Andy Nelson (Heanor Clarion) Master veteran: Terry Taylor (Matlock CC) Senior veteran: Dave Worthy (Matlock CC) Super veteran: Don Flint (Heanor Clarion)