By Tomas Nilsson
Rob Jebb (Wheelbase) won the 46th annual Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross in North Yorkshire this weekend in record breaking style. Not only did he post the fastest winner,s time ever, 2:52:22, but it also was his seventh consecutive win in this special 38 mile cyclo-cross event. No less than 421 riders finished, also a record.
Jebb is actually a pell runner who rides cyclo-cross in the winter. Considered a Three Peaks specialist, he has developed into a full breed cyclo-cross racer with participations in the last two World Championships. Heather Dawe (JD Cycles) took the women's crown ahead of Sara Symington.
Magnus Darvell, acknowledged mountain biker and road pro with the Latvian Rietumu Bank Riga team won the first leg of the Swedish cyclo-cross series in Skövde ahead of Alexander Wetterhall. The latter took the lead but suffered a crash and mechanical problems, and Daarvell was far ahead. Third was Johnny Rulle of Mariestad.
This season there will be ten 'cross races in Sweden plus the Swedish Championships in Mölndal on November 29. News for the season is that there will be more classes since the interest in cyclo-cross has risen rapidly. This fall there will be Prestige classes for men and women for those who wish to compete against the elite. For those with more humble ambitions, but still on 'cross bikes, there are Men Senior and Men Veteran (30+).
There will also be a Sports class for men and women wanting to try the 'cross format on any type of bike. Most events will also have races for youth.
The Swedish Cross calendar 2008:
September 28: Focus Crossen, Skövde
October 11: Gruvcrossen, Norberg
October 12: Almby CX, Almby
October 18: De Hel Crosskoers van Bosön, Lidingö
October 19: TelgeCrossen, Södetälje
October 25: Åstorps CK CX, Åstorp
November 2: Borlänge CX, Borlänge
November 22: CX-cup, Huskvarna
November 29: National Championships, Möldal
November 30: Merida CX Grand Prix, Mölndal
