ERRL Essex Roads CC Road Race. 3/4 Cat

East Hanningfield. Sunday. 24th April. 2016.

On an unseasonably cold day Mike Heptonstall Michael Atkinson and Hugo Evans were on the start line for this 70km race on the undulating and technical course in the twisting lanes of south east Essex. With most of the 70 starters being 3rd cats a fast pace was expected,unfortunately for Mike he lost contact with the main bunch on a fast difficult descent just after being held up by a fallen rider. 

   

With an attritional race depleting the field to around 30 riders and the final climb up to the finish line approaching Michael found himself detached from the lead group,meanwhile Hugo was handily placed at the sharp turn onto the finishing hill and although the narrow lane meant overtaking other riders became difficult he managed to gain enough places to record his first points as a 3rd cat with a 9th place finish.