Rod Kelson wins LVRC Dunton (PHOTOS)
Mon 01 Sep 2008
LVRC Dunton - Sunday 31st August
The ever popular LVRC racing series returned to the ‘Field of Dreams’ at Dunton for its final 2008 incarnation before racing begins at the new facility at Hog’s Hill. Five North Roaders where on the start line - John McDowall, Richard Somerset, Chris Glithero, Rod Kelson and Simon Best all hoping to build on the club’s success the week before. With less of a dominate head wind on the back straight the pace of the race was at a consistently higher speed than in previous weeks.
Chris worked hard through the event, ensuring he moved up the bunch, to remain part of the action as the pressure increased on the deceptive climb on the circuit. All the other North Road rider’s where active at various times during the race, either closing gaps to attempted break-aways, or jumping across to be part of them. Both Simon and Rod won a prime each, of the three in total on offer.
No one really succeeded in opening a meaningful gap and the race slowed a little in the final five laps as everyone prepared for the inevitable bunch sprint.
With John on the front on the approaching final series of bends he attempted to jump away from the front and opened a small gap. As some rider’s came across to John’s wheel Richard launched a perfectly timed sneak attack (© Nick Harris 2008) and gained a sizable lead coming into the 320 meter final straight. It looked for all the world like a well deserved Badger victory, but as the bunch came up to him in the final mad dash for the line, Rod weaved his way through the bunch, and having picked a good wheel to follow sprinted superbly to just pip his team mate by half a wheel.
Richard could be heard congratulating his team mate for some expert sprinting with some traditional colloquial Anglo Saxon! Both Simon and Chris finished in the main entrails of a thinned bunch, with John just off the back having sat up during the final sprint.
Another good week for the North Road securing first and second place and two out of three primes. The next LVRC event will be held at the new Hogs Hill circuit on Sunday 7th of September
