2nd overall for Nick Craig at 2014 Three Peaks
This past weekend saw the SCOTT Team race in the Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross race. Here’s the report from Team Rider Nick Craig on how it went.
Well the novelty wears off driving late Saturday night I can’t believe the effect this race has on me, 17 times over 30 years and I still get excited.
With perfect weather conditions forecast it’s going to be a great race, on the start list are all the usual suspects and a few new riders, 6 times winner Tim Gould out of retirement now in vet 50, also Christian Heule recently retired World Cup Cyclo cross racer who placed top 10 in the world elite championships. Also for his 1st attempt Oli Beckinsale 4 times Olympian from BW cycles. And our very own super rep Keith Murray who is as addicted to this event as me.
Rob Jebb Hope Tech then 10 times winner is as ever the favourite and 15mins before the start a Hope Hot air balloon does a fly by. “Nice marketing touch”
Over the 1st peak Jebb has a narrower margin than usual I’m with young Joe Moses and Ian Taylor not far behind. Half way down Inglebourgh Taylor comes past me like a rocket taking the 20 year old Moses with him I decide to take a slower approach trying not to flat as we hit the road I’m 1 mind down on them and 2.30 on Jebb.
I can’t decide whether to wait for Lewis Craven as he is only 15 seconds behind it would be good to have company on the long road section. I have a TORQ Gel and let Lewis close in but as he gets on my wheel he then faded so I push on alone.
As I get onto the second peak, Whernside, I catch Taylor but Moses is flying along after Jebb, sure enough on the descent Taylor makes contact with me but as we hit the road I’m 10m clear of him.
I decide to press on and gap him before the final accent; Moses is at 1 min Jebb at 3mins. Onto the final peak, Pen-Y-Ghent my favourite and most rideable section. I close in on Moses who is now fading and go after Jebb. On the descent I’m in full flight, I see Keith smiling away, we high 5 before I go on to pursue Jebb.
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