On Sunday, November 24, Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT member, Oli Nolan, travelled to Dalton Barracks, near Abingdon in Oxfordshire, for the ninth round of the Wessex Cyclocross season, which also incorporated the South Regional Championships.

With the arrival of Storm Bert, much of the course had turned into a rutted mess, with a few paved sections offering a little respite from the mud.

Starting on the second row of the grid, Oli got off to a decent start, running just outside the top 10.

As the race progressed, he managed to pick off several riders. Maximising speed but remaining in contention was the order of the day, as the torrential rain had washed away surface gravel and grass on parts of the course, revealing sharp rocks that caused punctures for many riders. Oli crossed the line in eighth overall and seventh Southern rider. He said: “I am happy with a top 10 on a tough course with tricky conditions, especially after a break from racing. I have also earned good points towards my overall league position.”