Cyclo Cross

Darren Haynes courtesy of Lydden Hill Race Circuit

Darren Haynes headed east once again for Round 4 of the East Kent Cyclo Cross League on Sunday 19th December.  The event promoted by VC Deal was held at Lydden Hill Race Circuit between Dover and Canterbury.

In the race for men over 50 Darren made a rocket start more in keeping with the rally cross cars that frequent this track.  He was briefly up to second place, but once off the tarmac and on to grass and mud made slippery by chilly December mist he literally started slipping back.

Despite a late pre-race change of wheels to tyres supposedly more suited to the conditions Darren found himself racing the usual suspects and in 13th place at the conclusion of the first lap.

A three-way tussle ensued which saw him lose another place the next time around down to 15th by the end of lap 3.  He could taste the mud being thrown up by the wheel in front as the bell rang for the final lap and fought his way past to claim 14th place from 41 finishers by the chequered flag.