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Rider results
2021/22 Cyclocross Season
BC National Championships
toby barnes - 4th/3rd(U23)
Matt ellis - 22nd
Sunday 9th January 2022
On Sunday, Crawley Wheelers played host to the 2022 National Cyclocross Championships. Fitting of Cyclocross, the course was exceptionally muddy and wet after recent weather conditions. This may not have been what our two riders, Toby and Matt, were hoping for, but both were still able to give strong performances, culminating in a podium finish in the U23 race for Toby.
Not just letting the favorites have their way, Toby signified his intentions early on in the race, pushing the eventual winner, Thomas Mein and the Euro's podium finisher Cameron Mason. Eventually the front two riders were able to gap the small leading group which led Toby to battle with eventual 3rd place finisher Joe Blackmore all the way to the end.
Photo: Hugh McManus
''I'm extremely happy with 3rd U23 and 4th Elite at national champs, my first national championship podium! Mega course with plenty of mud made for a very tough race!''
-Toby Barnes-
“On a course that can be described as a constant struggle, through the mud and clouds of jet wash spray, I battled hard to 22nd place overall and 14th U23. Although this result does not reflect my previous results on albeit less boggy, more explosive and technical courses, I'm still happy with the outcome.
After a 3 year break from cyclocross I’m pleased with how this season has gone, picking up some UCI points and experience for races to come.''
-Matt Ellis-
For full results, please see the below link:
https://www.velouk.net/2022/01/09/2022-british-cx-championships-day-2/
ethias cross - essen (uci)
toby barnes - 9th
Saturday 11th December 2021
Over the past two months, Toby has been racing many of the biggest cyclocross races in the world, from Super Prestige events, to the Ethias Cross league, all the way to World Cups and Major Championships. With this, he has been racing many of the biggest stars in Cross, from Toon Aerts to Wout Van Aert.
On Saturday, Toby was able to break into the top 10 of the Senior field of one of these major events with a very impressive race in Essen. An extremely muddy course played into Toby's strengths as a strong and technically good runner, where he was able to run past many of his rivals. This result can hopefully be a spring board for Toby to take more results like this, and could help to set him up for a contract for the 2022/23 season.
''Really pleased to have got my first elite top 10 in a Belgian race at Essen. Loads of running suited me well and I rode a consistent race to get a result I knew was possible on the day.''
-Toby Barnes-
For full results, please see the below link:
East/West Mids Regionals
sam morris - 1st (west)
matt ellis - 2nd (east)
Sunday 28th November 2021
Both Sam and Matt were racing their respective Regional Champs this weekend, putting in solid performances to showcase their talents at a Regional level to go along with their solid National results.
''It's always great to come back home for some regional racing. I had a very good race from start to finish, got a good start and led from the front getting a gap early on managing to control the gap from the front. Great to finally get the hands in the air this season and to do it at regional champs is even better.''
-Sam Morris-
''East Mids champs was an incredibly technical race with a thick layer of snow covering and hiding slippy mud beneath. I was pleased with 2nd after keeping smooth and upright throughout the race after good battles with 1st place rider, James.''
-Matt Ellis-
''In general we tend to focus on the National level events and this is where our training priorities are. However it is still enjoyable for our riders to show themselves and compete in the odd regional race, and there's no better race than their Regional Championships. As we encompass both East and West Midlands, it was great to be able to make the podium in both championship events and nearly take both titles.''
-Phill Maddocks-
-Head Coach-
For full results, please see the below links:
Clanfield cross (uci)
matt ellis - 9th
alec gregory - 21st
Saturday 11th December 2021
A new event for 2021, the Clanfield Cross race looked to bring a number of International riders to British soil to compete in a UK double UCI weekend. Unfortunately due to late imposed rules, this was not possible for many International riders, however plenty of the top British riders still turned up and made for an exciting race on this bespoke permanent cyclocross course.
Matt Ellis was our first finisher after moving through the field and then pushing hard on the last number of laps. His hard work, not only in this race but also the training leading up to it, meant he was able to achieve his season goal of claiming a UCI point. This will set Matt up well for next year's cyclocross season.
Alec Gregory also made a late decision to make his CX return, even if just for one weekend, and was able to ride through the majority of the field, starting from the back row of the grid to an admirable 21st.
“Clanfield was another great day out. Starting from the 4th row, I was soon in the top 10 and battling hard in a small group throughout the race. On the final 2 laps I pressed to take 9th place and 2 UCI points, which was my season goal.”
-Matt Ellis-
For full results, please see the below link:
national trophy round 4
sam morris - 12th
Sunday 21st November 2021
The 4th round of the National Trophy was based in Sunderland and it was only Sam who made the trip to this race. After an excellent Round 2, and a promising Round 3 that was hindered by a mechanical, Sam was out to fight for a top 10 result.
Another relatively dry course led to a faster course where Sam was able to use his criterium racing strengths to good use, again coming through the field from his grid position, to finish 12th place, one better than Round 2 and his best ever Trophy result.
''Another good outing managing my best trophy finish of 12th, again showing promise of a top 10 finish. I had an ok start and found myself in a good group which which slowly dropped in numbers through the race. Nice to get muddy racing in again and with seconds of a top 10 .''
-Sam Morris-
For full results, please see the below link:
european cylocross champs
toby barnes - 17th
Saturday 6th November 2021
The 2021 European Cyclocross Championships took place in Col du Vam (Holland), where Toby was once again representing Great Britain in the U23 race. With a 13th place in the 2020 edition, Toby was looking to improve on this, but with the return of the Belgian contingent (Missed the 2020 edition due to Covid) this was always going to be a tough goal.
On a taxing course, finishing on a cobbled climb, Toby was able to build on his 2020 results with a 17th place. Whilst not beating his previous result, Toby was 9th non-Belgian in the race, a stat to be proud of given Belgian's dominance in this discipline.
''Super tough course for the European champs, plenty of climbing! Got caught in a crash at the start so was right at the back of the field but managed to get back up to 17th after chasing all race.''
-Toby Barnes-
For full results, please see the below link:
scottish national cx champs
pete matthews - 4th
Sunday 14th November 2021
In his now home location of Scotland, Pete took to the start of the Scottish CX Champs. After a long chase from the back of the grid, Pete was able to move through the field with relative ease, completing fastest laps on his way to 4th place.
“Coming into a championship race off the back of a season disrupted by injury, we agreed there was no pressure to get a result. I was surprisingly gridded last row - normally I’d have lost my head at this point, but I kept the mindset I went in with and just went about passing as many people as I could, moving up to 4th on the last lap, a ride I could be very proud of. I’ll be back for revenge next year though that’s for sure!”
-Pete Matthews-
''It's been a tough period for Pete, with house moves, illness and a long term back injury so it was good to see him get the chance to compete at the front of a Championship event. There's certainly more in Pete's engine when he gets the opportunity to fully display it and I've no doubt he'll be on the podium of the Scottish Champs in the years to follow.''
-Phill Maddocks-
-Head Coach-
For full results, please see the below link:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/250169/2021-Scottish-Cyclo-Cross-Championships
national trophy round 2
toby barnes - 2nd
sam morris - 13th
matt ellis - 27th
Sunday 10th October 2021
The sun was shining for the second round of the 2021/22 National Cyclocross Trophy as our riders headed up to Westmoorland Showground to compete.
A fast course with little mud would result in few bike changes and bring a technical challenge to the riders with plenty of twisty corners along with long stretches of straight sections.
A chaotic start to the race saw Toby take an early lead, breaking away from the front group before being joined by Joseph Blackmore. These two would duel to the end, crossing the line together for a photo finish that was awarded to Joseph.
Further back, Sam was having a very measured and gutsy ride. Latching onto the wheel of the back starting Oli Stockwell (GB Senior Academy), Sam was able to come through the field, from outside the top 30, to finish 13th, his join best ever Trophy result.
''It wasn't quite the result we were looking for at the front of the field, but given recent disturbances to Toby's training it was still a solid ride and a good hit out before heading out to Germany and Belgium for the winter Cross season. It was really pleasing to see the effort laid out by Sam, having a plan pre race and following it to the letter, giving him the opportunity to get his best ever result.''
-Phill Maddocks-
-Head Coach-
For full results, please see the below link: