24/25 CX Season in review
As the curtain falls on yet another fantastic season of cyclocross, KJCC coach Matt Foote looks back on the last few months of racing and calls out the various Wheeler achievements.
What a season! From red hot September early races, through the cold and rain-soaked mud fests of January through to the last races in February, Kingston Wheelers, and Kingston Juniors have had a great winter.
With over 50 race starts for club members across the three local leagues, and some great finish positions, notably Declan Egan, Wheelers have given a very good showing all season. KJCC racers also made 50 race starts and an incredible 23 podium finishes, so Kingston was well represented in our regions.
One disappointment was the relatively low number of women Wheelers racing this season, after some great previous years, which seems to be something affecting the wider CX community to a greater or lesser extent. Saying that, congratulations to Laura McMullen, who got a podium place in her debut race in Central League Round 7!
Special mention should go to Chis Montagu, who despite a disrupted race schedule, got some impressive results in the V50s and represented the club at the National Championships held at Cyclopark in February. Also, Marcus Jones, representing Wheelers as a Junior, had a great season, not only coming second place in the overall Junior London and South East rankings, but was awarded ‘Rider of the Week’ for a heroic and gritty effort at Herne Hill in atrocious conditions, running a lap and half shouldering his bike to finish the race.
KWCC also continued to do its bit for the CX racing community, holding Round 7 of the Central League calendar at Bedfont Lakes, in muddy conditions, but with brilliant sunshine. We had a massive turnout of volunteers to marshal and run the event, and thanks go to all of those Wheelers who stepped up on the Saturday and Sunday. As with previous years, the club extends is gratitude to Sonia, Sanaa and Kayleigh at Hounslow Council and the Bedfont Lakes Park Ranger team, who supported our hosting of the race, and to CISCO, and in particular, Paul and the security team (Ashok, Salem and Paul), for opening their car park for racers and keeping us and our vehicles and bikes nice and safe all day. Without this amazing support we could not hold the race every year.
Martyn Topping and Marcus Jones also showed the Wheelers colours at the London League Team Championships, rounding the season off in style.
So, here’s to next season, an equally challenging load of races and conditions, and some more great results, and hopefully, more women racers getting involved.
