National titles for Backstedt and Carrick-Anderson


Zoe Backstedt and Corran Carrick-Anderson won the under-16 titles at the HSBC UK | National Cyclo-cross Championships in Gravesend, Kent, today.

Backstedt (Storey Racing) – last year’s under-14 title winner – ensured that defending champion Millie Couzens (PH-Mas/Paul Milne Cycles) had to settle for silver, while Cardiff J.I.F’s Ella Maclean-Howell completed the podium.

In the under-16 boys’ race, Carrick-Anderson (Peebles CC) overhauled long-time leader Finlay Pickering (Vive Le Velo) on the final lap to take gold. Pickering claimed silver with Joe Kiely (Welwyn Wheelers CC) winning bronze.

Carrick-Anderson said:“I took myself by surprise! It’s amazing to win – I wasn’t expecting it. I was hopeful after last weekend, but I had no idea what was going to happen. I got a little gap over Fin and managed to keep it until the end. I’m really excited to wear those stripes into next season.”

Josh Tarling (Team Backstedt/Hotchillee) won the Findus Trophy for best under-15, while Max Greensill (Rapid Racer Products) was crowned boys’ under-14 champion, as he finished ahead of silver medallist Oliver Akers (Holmfirth Cycling Club) and Yani Angelo Djelil (Team Darenth) who took bronze.

The equivalent girls’ title was won by Libby Bell of Leicester Forest CC, with Emily Carrick-Anderson (Peebles CC) and Elizabeth McKinnon (Derwentside CC) taking silver and bronze respectively.

Helen Pattinson (Hargroves-Montezuma’s) claimed the first title of the weekend with a dominant performance in the veteran women’s race. She crossed the line first to take the 45-49 category title ahead of Maddi Smith (Bolsover and District Cycling Club) and Lucy Siddle (Allen Valley Velo).

Afterwards, Pattinson said:“I was really nervous – there was quite a lot of expectation on me having won the HSBC UK | National Trophy Series, so that made it really difficult – I didn’t get much sleep last night! It’s great when you get three or four laps in and see your nearest competition on the other side of the course – I knew I still had to go for it on the last lap though, and execute it perfectly.”

Tracey Fletcher (Magspeed Racing) crossed the line fifth overall but as the first rider home in the 50-59 category, in which Miriam Whitehurst (Somer Valley CC) took silver and Nicky Hughes (Specialized Racing) bronze.

Maryka Sennema was the first 40-44 rider home, while Nicola Davies (www.cyclocrossrider.com) claimed the 60+ title.

The men’s veterans races saw wins for Chris Wreghitt (Second Wind) in the 60+ category, Dave McMullen (Cotswold Veldrijden) in the 64-69 race and Denis Smith (Windmill Wheels Cycling Club) in the 70+ category.

Pete Middleton (www.zepnat.com) successfully defended his 50-54 category title, Philip Roache won the 55-59 race and, in the final event of the day, Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing) and Nick Craig (SCOTT Racing) took the 40-44 and 45-49 crowns respectively.