Tristan Rawlence and Anja McDonald continued their dominance of the Cyclo-cross Nelson championships winning the second round of the six-race series held at the Nelson Speedway grounds near Richmond on Sunday.
The Nelson cycling couple won the first round held at Branford Park two weeks ago and backed that up with another emphatic win on Sunday. Tristan showed superior fitness and bike handling skills that included some fast dismounts to carry his bike over steps and barriers to win the men’s race while Anja was equally impressive in the open women’s section.
Riders had to complete as many laps of the 2.5km circuit that included half a lap of the speedway track as they could in 45 minutes plus one additional lap. The course included two sections of steps, two barriers and a series of tight, off-camber corners.
“It was a fast, flowing and technical track and they made it look easy,” race organiser Brian Grant says. “They are a real power couple.”
Finn Fisher-Black (under-17 boys), Cameron Ford (under-19 boys), Brent Akroyd (Vet 1 men) Andy Reid (Vet 2 men), Chris James (Vet 3 men), Andrew Scott (60+ men) and Niamh Fisher-Black (under-17 girls) were the age group winners.
Earlier in the day, Chris Sharland and Penny Hufflett won the open race featuring mountainbikes held over 35 minutes. Henry Jaine (under-19 boys), Seamus Ryan (Vet 1 men), Wayne Pool (vet 2 men) and Penny’s daughter Rebecca (under-17 girls) won their age groups.
The third round of the series will be held at Rabbit Island on June 14.
