Hundreds brave cold for Newport's new cycling race
Almost 200 riders braved the snow and freezing temperatures for a new cycling race in Shropshire.
A field of 180 competitors took part in what is believed to be the first ever cyclo-cross event in the town at Newport Rugby Club's Forton Road ground.
Newport Cycling Club organised the competition because of demand from its booming membership, which has almost doubled in the last two years from 60 to 110.
Cyclo-cross races see competitors completing laps around a track at high speeds while negotiating obstacles including ramps and inclines.
The event was part of the Waldrons Solicitors Cyclo-cross West Midlands League.
Newport CC chairman Nick Jeggo said: "It was the first time we had done this ,so it was a bit daunting. But we have had some fantastic comments back saying we must do it again and I think we will."
Jeggo praised club members for their hard work getting the course set up despite the conditions. Wrekin Sport's Karen Summers finished second in the women's race and first in the Lady veterans category.
Summers crossed the line in 35 minutes three seconds, but was just edged out in the women's race by Hannah Payton. Emma Birtles of Lichfield City CC took third.
In the men's race, Tom Payton came first followed by Stephen Knight and Philip Hinch.
Notable local finishers were Newport CC's Harry and Archie Elsdon, who took third and fourth place respectively in the under-8 boys' race, while Sam Tomlinson from Mid Shropshire Wheelers came fifth.
Newport's Will Goodyear came 16th in the under-10s race, with club-mate Edward Adams 15th in the under-12s.
Andrew Tamplin from Base2Racecycles won the senior 30 plus category, while Wrekin Sport's Ian Watts came fifth in the veterans 50 plus race.
Club-mate John Byatt finished ninth, Dave Mellor from Mid Shropshire Wheelers was 11th and Newport's Tim Nelson came 13th, with Mel Griffiths from Mid Shropshire Wheelers just behind in 14th.
Teddy Smerckx came third in the veterans 40 plus race followed by Newport trio Sam Gay (ninth), Mark Stocks (10th) and Paul Crone (11th).
Wrekin Sport's Mark Griffiths came second in the veterans 45 plus category, while Mid-Shropshire Wheelers' Ewan Mellor came second in the under-16s race.
His team-mates Devon Round, Adam Aitken and Martin Whyatt came sixth, seventh and 16th respectively in the under-14s.
