Derby Mercury

Darley Moor is Jekyll & Hyde course ; if it is dry it would be really fast but unfortunately it is never dry when run in November. Being pancake flat, any rain just lies on the surface and turns the grassy sections to a quagmire in places. The skill lies in ëreadingí the best line and knowing when to dismount and run rather than struggling through the mud on the bike.

Dave Banks must have the knack as he improved on last weekís strong performance in an excellent 15th††† place. Pete Turner glided through the mud to finish 22nd just ahead of Matt Crouch in 25th & Lee Blades in 29th.† Lee had to dash off to play at Derbyís Christmas lightís extravaganza ( see thread on the forum).

Other DMRC finishers were :-
68 John Holmes
72 Hilary Johnson
79 Dave Luscombe

The Ladies prize was won by Annie Last ( Zepnat) warming up for Sundayís National Trophy† and there was a surprise appearance from Olympic road racer Sharon Laws ( Halfords) in what I understand was her first ever cyclocross race.