Shimano Lazer West Midlands Cyclo-Cross League – Round 8
Sunday 1 November 2026 | Himley Hall | Promoted by Wolverhampton Wheelers
The Shimano Lazer West Midlands Cyclo-Cross League continued its 2026 season with Round 8 at Himley Hall, where Wolverhampton Wheelers served up another excellent day’s racing on a challenging course that tested riders of all ages.
For many competitors, the journey to Himley was through thick, murky fog, but those arriving at the venue were greeted by a welcome transformation. The sun was shining, the skies were bright and, once again, the League enjoyed remarkably good racing weather for the time of year.
It was certainly no easy day in the saddle. A substantial climb demanded repeated efforts, while the grassland and the molehills provided a different sort of challenge, making rhythm and momentum difficult to maintain.
For the promoting club, it was a particularly satisfying occasion. Wolverhampton Wheelers have more than 50 riders registered with the League across the age categories, and their strength in depth was evident throughout the day, with some excellent performances from the youngest competitors through to the senior and veteran ranks.
Wolverhampton youngsters lead the way
The host club’s youngest riders certainly gave their supporters plenty to cheer about.
In the Under 8 race, Noah Pardoe led home a Wolverhampton Wheelers one-two, edging teammate Hugo Higgins by just 1.1 seconds after six laps. Xavier Giddings of Lichfield City CC completed the boys’ podium, with Wolverhampton’s Alfie Higgins fourth and Ollie Hanson fifth.
There was further success for the hosts as Esme Wilson took the Under 8 girls’ honours.
The Under 6 categories saw Ted Fuller of Worcester St John’s CC and Amelia Knapska of Stratford CC take the respective boys’ and girls’ victories.
The Under 10 boys produced another tremendous contest, with Harri Phillips of Towy Riders taking victory by just half a second from Wolverhampton’s Jacob Pardoe. Quinn Holdstock of Worcester St John’s CC was only another 0.9 seconds behind in third, making it a particularly exciting finish.
Towy Riders enjoyed a double celebration as Maddison Davies claimed the Under 10 girls’ victory, while Wolverhampton’s Lara Stephens finished third in the girls’ category.
In the Under 12 boys’ race, Stratford CC’s Lucas Shephard took the win, but Wolverhampton Wheelers were again right in the thick of the action as Flynn Higgins finished a strong second, just nine seconds behind the winner. Ethan Parkes of Halesowen A&CC completed the podium.
Persephone Emuss of Lichfield City CC was the Under 12 girls’ winner, ahead of Charlotte Furniss of Newport Shropshire CC.
With so many Wolverhampton youngsters competing, including several families represented across the age groups, it was an encouraging demonstration of the club’s commitment to developing the next generation of cyclo-cross riders.
Channings continues his winning form
The Youth races brought another impressive performance from Gabriel Channings of Gannets CC, who claimed the Youth A boys’ victory and overall race honours.
Channings completed seven laps in 33 minutes 24 seconds, finishing ahead of Lucas McCann of Chase Racing, with Oliver Howard of Halesowen A&CC taking third in Youth A.
In the Youth B boys’ category, Gregory Latuszynski of Solihull CC continued his strong season with another victory.
Among the girls, Jessica Askey of Stafford Road Club took the Youth A honours, while Mea Moore of Welland Valley CC headed the Youth B category.
The promoting club again fielded a healthy contingent, with Charlie Beech and Toby Byard representing Wolverhampton in Youth A, while Harriet Cosnett secured fifth in the Youth B girls’ category.
Moore wins a close Veterans’ battle
One of the day’s closest contests came in the Veteran 50 race, where James Moore of Welland Valley CC produced an excellent ride to take victory.
James Moore in winning form again
Moore completed nine laps in 44 minutes 49 seconds, finishing just 8.4 seconds ahead of Darren Atkins of Team Mi Racing Townsend Vehicle Hire.
Atkins, a familiar winner in the League, had to settle for second on this occasion, with teammate Nick Whitley completing the podium.
Philip Roach of MI Racing Townsend Vehicle Hire took the Veteran 60 honours ahead of Harvey Levann of Pedal Power Loughborough and Kevin Payton of Stourbridge CC.
V60 Winner Phil Roach
In the Veteran 70 category, Keith Richards of Mid Shropshire Wheelers returned to the top step of the podium, ahead of Tony Carter and Peter Mooney of Rugby Velo Club.
Wolverhampton Wheelers were also well represented in the veteran field, with Steven White leading their Veteran 50 finishers, followed by James Stephens, Garry Bolton and Stephen Kloda.
Ford sets the pace in the Women’s race
Scarlett Ford was the fastest rider in the combined Women’s race, taking the Junior victory and overall honours after seven laps in 37 minutes 20 seconds.
Scarlett Ford in winning form again
Celia Doyle finished second overall to claim the Veteran 40 victory, while Genny Billington was third overall and the leading Senior woman.
Isla Rowntree of Stourbridge CC took the Veteran 50 honours, with Frances Williams heading the Veteran 60 category.
The women’s racing once again demonstrated the breadth of competition within the League, with strong performances across the junior, senior and veteran categories.
Corder takes the honours as Morris and Wyllie battle to the line
The final race of the day produced another commanding performance from Spencer Corder of Rotor Race Team, who took overall victory and the Under 23 honours.
Spencer Corder leads from the gun.
Corder completed 11 laps in 51 minutes 55 seconds, finishing just over a minute clear of the chasing riders.
Behind him, the battle for the Senior honours could hardly have been closer.
Simon Wyllie crossed the line in 52 minutes 58.7 seconds, with Bridgnorth CC’s Sam Morris, fresh from his breakthrough victory at Round 7 at Top Barn, finishing just three-tenths of a second behind in 52 minutes 59.0 seconds.
Morris has been one of the standout performers in recent rounds, and his victory at Worcester followed by another superb ride at Himley Hall underlines his excellent form. On this occasion, however, Wyllie held on to take the Senior honours by the narrowest of margins.
Adam Lewis of APS Pro Cycling completed the Senior podium.
The other category winners included Iestyn Rowlands of Hafren CC in the Juniors and Mark Crompton of BWCC in the Veteran 40 race.
For the host club, Tom Oxley delivered another notable result with third place in the Junior category, while Sebastian Bacon was Wolverhampton’s leading Senior finisher.
A successful day for Wolverhampton Wheelers
With more than 50 riders signed up for the League, Wolverhampton Wheelers are making a substantial contribution to cyclo-cross in the West Midlands.
Their performances at Himley Hall reflected that commitment, from Noah Pardoe and Esme Wilson’s Under 8 victories to the podium places secured by Hugo Higgins, Jacob Pardoe, Flynn Higgins and Tom Oxley.
Just as importantly, the number of riders representing the club throughout the age categories demonstrated the strength of its grassroots activity and the family atmosphere that makes the League so successful.
The Shimano Lazer WMCCL extends its thanks to Wolverhampton Wheelers, their officials, marshals and volunteers for organising another enjoyable round at Himley Hall.
With the autumn sunshine continuing to favour the League, riders could once again enjoy fast and competitive racing, although the long climb and those troublesome molehills ensured that nobody had an easy ride.
Round 8 may have been blessed with sunshine, but there was certainly no shortage of hard work on the hills of Himley Hall!
Thanks to Mike Adams for his excellent images.