Spencer triumphs again as Stratford cyclists impress at Henley

CYCLING sensation Spencer Corder claimed another victory in the annual cyclo-cross race at Henley-in-Arden on Sunday.

The event acted as the third round of the West Midlands Cyclo-Cross League, with almost 500 riders turning up on the day at Johnson’s coach and bus premises in the town.

Stratford CC had 33 riders take part, ranging from under-sixes to veteran level.

In the under-sixes, Mary Heenan and Reuben Child, both aged just four, finished eight and third respectively.

Stratford fielded eight riders in a strong under-eight section, even though most were still only six years of age.

Tamsin Moss claimed fourth in her race, Reuben Stringfellow third, Finlay Child eighth, Oliver Fahey 13th, Teddy Wright 16th, while Ned Heenan was 18th.

Callum Moss led the way in a competitive under-tens category, claiming 21st, ahead of Sam Abbott (29th) and Morgan Leask (30th).

The club’s best race was in the under-12 section, where Corder took the chequered flag, while team-mate Lewis Tinsley followed him in second place.

Stratford fielded five other boys in the race, with Joe Gregg in 8th, Noah Harvey 19th, Josh Darlow 22nd, Joe Chandler 28th and Ellis Brown 31st.

The corresponding girls’ race saw Harriet Tinsley and Jessica Marcroft perform well to claim eight and tenth respectively.

The under-14 and under-16 race is one of the biggest and again the young Stratford riders fared well on the fast course.

The under-14s saw Tom Charles claim 11th, ahead of Jonathan Masters (21st) and Harvey Jackson (28th). David Herd was 16th in the under-16 race, followed by Conor Murphy in 19th.

The adults’ races saw Iain Tinsley and Danny Murphy take ninth and 35th place respectively in the vet 40 category, while in the biggest race of the day, with 141 riders on the line, Carl Taylor took sixth and Robin Corder 22nd in the vet 50. Tony Jackson was 22nd in the vet 55.

Alison Bagnall, in her first ever cyclo-cross race, was eighth in the ladies’ event.