Club Road Race - Sun 13th July 08

North Road Summer Road Race, Whitwell - Sunday 13th July 2009

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North Road Cycling Club’s 125 kilometre Summer Road Race proved a bit draw for those from far afield – but it was not to be for the rider closest to home.

The Eastern Road Race League event boasted a full field of 60 riders – with riders turned away from the start – from clubs across the region with Simon Checkley taking the saddle as North Road’s representative. He was up against a strong contingent of 11 elite riders and last year’s winner Andy Lyons, from Herongate Cycling Club.

The race, which set off from Whitwell, took in Codicote, Langley, the climb to St. Pauls Warden, back to Whitwell. It started at a very fast pace with a breakaway group of about 10 riders taking a 30 second lead.

The race continued very fast with lots of breaks, at one stage forming a three minute gap. It ended with a two-man sprint, David McLean (Herongate) just beating Grant Bayton (Sports Beans) to win in a time of three hours eight minutes. Last year’s winner Lyons took third. A good day for Terry Corley Cycles, Tom Kirk, took the first prime, Richard Cartland, the second, and the third prime went to Matthew Higgens. Despite a good ride from Simon, he quit from the race after the fifth lap.

Results (Top 10 places): David Mclean (Herongate), Grant Bayton (Sports Beans), at 3 hrs 8 mins, Andy Lyons (Herongate), Richard Cartland (Terry Corley Cycles), Joe Perrett (Glendene), Wouter Sybrandy (Sigma Sport), Russell Hampton (100% ME), Matthew Higgins (Terry Corley Cycles), Martin Smith (AW Cycles), Gareth Hewitt (KFS).

Thanks must go to organiser Frank Rawlins, his daughters Ella and Grace, his wife Fiona Shena Lancaster for refreshments, June Lacey at the desk, the drivers, judges and the marshalls. If we did not have these people the event would not go ahead.