East Kent Cyclo Cross

Darren Haynes by Nicola Hale

Newly appointed Lewes Wanderers Cycling Club Chairman Darren Haynes went into the fifth and final round of the East Kent Cyclo Cross League in a fine 10th place in the overall standings for men in their fifties.  On a bright, but chilly day at Betteshanger Country Park near Deal Darren lit things up from the start as he rocketed forward to briefly hold 4th place.

By the end of the first of five laps he had slipped back to a strong 8th, but the cold air mixed with the aerobic effort of his initial acceleration then began to hurt his lungs and it became a battle to preserve his position as best he could.

At least the course was largely free of the quagmire conditions that had defined the National Championships the previous Sunday and, while demoted to twelfth place by the end of the second circuit Darren was able to establish a rhythm that maintained that position to the flag.

Final league standings have yet to be confirmed, but with the best four results from five events to count Darren’s best result of the season, three places ahead of the rider previously ninth, should at least have made the long journey worthwhile.