A strong finish at the penultimate race of the season saw Stuart Jones taking 3rd spot behind Darren Barclay and National Cross Champion Jody Crawford, at round 15 of the Mosquito Bikes London Cross League (click play on the video above and turn the volume up to see the battle as it played out).

Fledgling Phoenix rider Andrew Newham also put in a great performance to finish within the top 50 on this really tough and muddy course, with Stuart Lockyear out of the running with a nasty chest infection (get well soon Stewart).

Thanks to http://londoncyclesport.com/ for the pictures

Stuart Jones flew the flag for London Phoenix this weekend at the final round of the Cyclo Cross National Trophy. It was a super tough event, with British Cycling describing it as “the toughest yet”.

Stuart, who finished just out of the top 20 said:

“The Derby course was all on grass and was really muddy. You slipped up the hills, down them and round the corners. Traction was in short supply and it was a choice of either pedalling quite slowly up the hills or running.”

“Being lapped by [National Champion - ed] Jody Crawforth and a few other ‘top hitters’ gave me a good chance to see them in action, and they are on another planet! Jody just powered his way up the hills and through the mud as if it was smooth tarmac! He went on to win the race and take the National Trophy so its been a great season for him.”

Probably the most consistent rider in the hotly contested London Cyclo Cross League, Stuart will be battling for a win at this Sunday’s Herne Hill event.

Thanks to Larry Hickmott of BC for the photos, and full coverage of the final available here

London Phoenix fielded 7 riders at round six of the Hog Hill Winter Series, with Jonathen Tobin, Andy Nash, Ken Iino and Gary Lingard competeing in the first race of the day, and Matthew Harper, Liz Rice and Abigail Armstrong running in the combined 3/4s Women’s race that followed. We got great results in both races.

Gary impressed from the start in the 4th Cat race, accelerating away from the pack on the Hoggenberg and leading a three man break for most of the race. He ended up finishing 3rd, well ahead of the rest of the field who had clearly given up in their attempts to catch the leaders. Not bad for a novice…

In the combined 3/4s and Women’s race, Abi and Liz fought hard and got a great 3rd and 5th respectively (more here soon). Matthew Harper was unfortunate to suffer a mechanical on the line, which threw him from the start and ended his chances of competing effectively. More photos of the race available here.

Special mention goes to former guest London Phoenix rider David Barnes (pictured on the bike below). David led from the start and put in a stunning solo performance to smash the field and collect his 2nd Cat licence in some style!

Liz braved the sub-zero conditions to ride in the women’s race at Redbridge Cycle Circuit on Saturday – see more in Matt’s report here

Not many of us can claim to have raced in anger with the pros, but Stuart Jones did just that this weekend when he bagged a fantastic 17th spot at the National Cyclocross Championships, just 14 places behind 3rd placed man Roger Hammond. Stuart, currently running 2nd in the London Cyclocross League, said:

“It was an awesome course. Quite fast, and very unforgiving. There was hardly anywhere to rest plus there were a few tough run ups (plus a set of concrete stairs) so it really pushed you to the edge. I got caught by the leaders on the finishing straight which was great timing as I am not sure I had another lap in me! Jody Crawforth won which was a great result for him – he seemed pretty confident at dinner on Saturday night.”

Stuart’s result is even more exceptional when you consider this is his first season riding a cross bike. Next year he’ll have to have a go on his fixed mtb and really show the pros what he can do.

Photos courtesy of Larry Hickmott (larryhickmott@britishcycling.org.uk)

Frozen water bottles were a good indicator of the conditions at Hog Hill on Saturday and only 22 shivering riders stood at the start line of the 4th Cat race with hands in arm pits eager to get pedaling.

I was a bit nervous of the corners given the temperature but the whole course had been salted and then swept and once we’d all got round the first lap safely my confidence in the surface grew. For once there were no solo breaks and other than the odd rider dropping off the back, the group stayed together for the whole race. My tactics before the race were to sit around 3rd to 5th in the group and save everything for the finish (In my last race I’d been at the front of the group far too often and was frustrated to slip back to eighth in the group sprint).

Cycling Weekly printed a guide to the course in the latest issue and it was amusing to see everyone trying to follow their advice and make their jump at the top of the hill. Much easier said than done as the hill is a real killer.

I stuck to my plan and held back conserving energy, pleased to see no successful break formed, then on the final lap went early, perhaps too early, before the start of the big climb. I knew I was in 3rd place half way up the hill and I also knew that the seven points awarded for 3rd would be enough to get my 3rd cat license. That was more than enough motivation for me to keep going and hold for the line.

Joining me on the day was Liz, who did well to take 6th in the women’s race (and thanks to Phil for the pictures).

It became apparent in the 3/4 race that the corners weren’t quite as safe as I’d thought as there were two crashes on the first corner. One of which must have been particularly nasty judging by the state of a Rapha Condor chap, who I recognised as a previous winner of the 4th cat race, who rolled back to the pits with shredded kit, a bloody face and red stuff all over his Colnago. I heard later that he had broken his nose.

I’m allowing myself to feel a bit chuffed this week as I know that next Saturday I will most likely get my backside whipped by the more experienced 3rds. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Matthew Harper

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