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Preview: Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Round 3 - Mallory Park

Event Date: Sunday 14th November 2010 | From: Peter Mooney, Event Organiser
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On Sunday, November 14, Rugby Velo are once again promoting the Mallory Park International Cyclo-Cross, round 3 of the Britsh Cycling National Trophy for Cyclo-Cross. Racing kicks off with the first race for Veterans starting at 11:02 after observing two minutes silence for Remembrance Sunday. The Elite Men’s race starts at 2.30pm.

As is usual at Mallory Park, there are new features on the course to keep the riders on their toes. This year sees the introduction of a 'step' based on the one at the Ruddervoorde Superprestige event to compliment the short sharp climbs, descents and adverse camber corners Mallory is noted for. For the first time for several years, a set of planks will also be included.

The two riders who made Ipswich such a thrilling race, series leader Paul Oldham (left) and Liam Killeen (centre)  are both on the starting list for Mallory Park.

The Elite race winner for the last two years, Frenchman Nicolas Bazin returns. After his 12th place finish at last year’s World Championship, it was thought that he would be too expensive to contract this year but he enjoys the Mallory Park course so much, agreement was reached for him to compete. Four Belgians complete the International contingent. Kris Lapere who placed 3rd and 6th in the first two National Trophy rounds and Kenny Geluykens 6th and 4th in the same races, are joined by first timers Kevin Cant and Under 23 rider Kristof Kop.

With Paul Oldham, Liam Killeen and Jody Crawforth all finishing in front of the foreign challengers in the first two rounds, the chances of a British win at Mallory must be the best since Roger Hammond won several years ago. The Under 23 category race run within the Elite event, is probably the tightest race to call with only 10 points separating the first four riders in the overall position.

French woman, Perrine Philippe, adds an international flavour to the Women's race where she will be racing against series leader Corrine Hall and Great Britain’s up and coming young ladies. The Junior Men’s race should also be worth a close watch with the riders who rode the previous weekends European Championship pitted against the riders who rode so well against the seniors in the same weekends Inter-Areas Championship.

The Veterans start proceedings on the day with the main challenge to unbeaten Darren Atkins probably coming from his club mate and Mallory Park specialist Phil Roach with Matthew Denby and Chris Young never far from the front. The over 50 veterans start one minute later and Steve Davies looks unbeatable at the moment but Dave McMullen and Ian Wright will not give up trying until passing the finish line.

The Youth races will as always be hard fought and with the Mallory Park course being one of the most technical and hard courses used for the National Trophy series, whoever wins in each of the four Youth categories will have had a tough race. Over 90% of the course is visible from the start/finish area making Mallory Park one of the most popular courses in the country. Details of places to stay and directions can be found on the Mallory Park website.

Event sponsors
As well as racing for the substantial prize list, the winners will also be presented with handsome engraved trophies supplied by Shore Design and to replace the energy used, High 5 have donated products from their range of energy drinks and bars. Help with transport once again is provided by Townsend Vehicle Hire. Further support for the event is provided by local cycle shops Hinckley Cycle Centre and South Wigston Cycle Centre.

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