Little Lucy makes big impact (From Craven Herald)

Barnoldswick youngster makes big impact in national championships

2:12pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport

Little Lucy Horrocks made a big impact in the National Cyclo-Cross Championship at Bradford’s Peel Park on Saturday.

The diminuative 12-year-old earned the admiration of fellow competitors and spectators alike as she battled her way to the silver medal in the girls under-14 race.

The West Craven High Technology College pupil was the youngest rider in the race, but proved to be one of the gutsiest.

Riding for the Barnoldswick-based Hope Technology Team, she came second behind Welsh rider Jessica Roberts who powered to victory by 2mins and 47 seconds.

Leading the remainder of the field home was Lucy who was a surprise package for many of her opponents as she does not compete in the National Trophy Series.

Battler Lucy wasn’t big enough to carry her bike up the muddy inclines and had to push it instead.

It said much for her character and determination that she didn’t let it trouble her.

Bradley’s Ed McParland cut a disappointed figure after last Sunday’s junior men’s race.

The 18-year-old GT Racing UK rider could only finish 12th, 4min 08sec behind winner Grant Ferguson, and said: “It was a difficult race and I have been hampered by a back injury.

“I am now looking forward to the mountain bike season, which starts in March with the BC National Cross-Country Series at Sherwood Pines Forest Park.”

Cononley’s Ian Taylor (Craven Energy) was fifth in the veterans’ race at 1min 48sec, and was in a quality top five at the end of the first lap, alongside eventual winner Nick Craig, National Trophy series winner Darren Atkins, Chris Rathbone and holder Jim Bryan.

Craig attacked at the banking towards the end of the second lap, leaving Atkins and Mike Simpson, who had moved up well, to battle for the medals.

By the end of lap three, Craig led by 20 seconds, with Atkins and Simpson building a steady lead over Taylor, who was soon joined by Rathbone and Bryan.

Craig, Atkins and Simpson took the medals, with Bryan finishing fourth, eight seconds in front of Taylor. Richard Ballantine (Craven Energy) was 91st at one lap.

In the boys’ under-14s, Bradley’s Jamie Ridehalgh (Airedale Chemical RT) was ninth at 4min 03sec.