Olympian Jody Crawforth saw off former national champion Nick Craig to claim the men’s title at the Rollapaluza Knog Muddy Hell at the Herne Hill Velodrome.
The duo were well ahead of the field and used the opportunity to get air on the tabletop (Crawforth) and ride the wall (Craig) before Crawforth attacked on the last lap to take a clear win.
“[That was] one of the best ‘cross races I’ve ridden, this is how ‘cross should be,” said Craig.
More than 300 racers gathered at Herne Hill, with the under-12 riders kicking off the night’s racing on a course designed by Phil Glowinski and the team of Rollapaluza volunteers, which included the “TZG” wall-ride, an enormous scaffold bridge, tabletop and the 40cm high Knog double-hurdles.
As the light faded the under-14 and under-16s took to the full course which included drop-offs, single track, berm, hill climb and a lengthened sandpit.
By the time the GoCross / Novice race started compulsory lights were needed to pick a route through the back end of the course before dipping back into the floodlit spectator arena, with the cheers of the crowds challenging riders with demands for ‘Big Air’.
The vets, women and juniors raced together and this is when the spectators really began to witness the speed of experts in the discipline as well as showboating from the best bike handlers with Anna G being the only female all-night to clear the tabletop.
Mick Bell took the vets race, with Claire Beaumont of Condor cycles winning the ladies and Alec Briggs of Arctic Premier RT claiming the junior title.
The fancy dress competition was won by the Stig, who also raced on the Rollapaluza roller-racing rigs in the bar tent, but never revealed his identity…
