St. Ives CC/Techniflo Road Race 3/4 category

Michael Atkinson and Hugo Evans were on the start line for this 90km race on the Upton circuit situated to the north east of Huntingdon, with an early start a field of 60 riders racing on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far.

With 6 laps scheduled and only two small climbs each lap a fast pace ensued. A breakaway of 6 riders formed after a couple of laps but despite Hugo and Michael forcing the pace ascending Upton Hill the escapees refused to come back.

On the penultimate lap the bunch became disorganised as the gap went out to 2 minutes. Both our riders on the last climb on the last lap decided to stretch the field and avoid the sprint for the minor places, with only 4 riders away, valuable points were on offer but with the finish line at the end of a 1km flat, straight road, Michael and Hugo were swallowed up by the sprinters with Michael finishing in 15th place. With their efforts earlier in the race to chase down the leaders and others unable to help, their speed on the hills proved ultimately fruitless.