Road Racing

Reading CC – LVRC Road Races 6^th Sept - Race Reports (as seen each time past the finish line)

A warm, dry and sunny day greeted the 55 riders at the Stoke Row circuit near Henley on Thames. As ever the tough course was to take its toll, and with several punctures, and one unfortunate crash early in the second race, there were 14 non finishers.

Race 1 – A/B/C = Ages 40-54 - 7 laps (56m) 
 
An early breakaway on lap 2 involving John Alderman and Martin Hulbert quickly gained 30 seconds and required some heavy effort to chase down but by the end of lap 3 the field was back together. A classic counter-attack by Chris Beales and Martin O’Grady found the bunch unable to respond and a lead of a minute was quickly established on the next lap. By the bell, Martin O’Grady was out front on his own and despite a sustained chase, came home 20 seconds ahead of the main chase group, with the remains of the field coming in two minutes down. 

Lap times (in minutes) measured on the lead rider, were 21,21,20,20,21,21 

Race 2 – D/E/F/G = Ages 55-70+ - 6 laps (48m) 
 
The four G-cat (ie. 70+) riders set off with a 5-minute head start, and received an unexpected 2-minute boost when the main field was slowed by a crash on the first downhill section - Norman Bright sustaining a broken shoulder. On the second lap, a break began to form around riders Bill Butterworth, Tony Woodcock and eventual winner Dave McMullen. By the third lap, the gaps had opened to +30 secs, and the G-cat riders were being hauled back at around 2 minutes per lap. By the fourth lap they had been reeled in by the breakaways, now a minute up on the field. At the bell McMullen and Woodcock had dropped all companions and had a comfortable 2 minute lead which they held to the finish line, where McMullen out sprinted Woodcock in the uphill finish. 

Lap times (in minutes), measured on lead rider, were 22,21,22,21,22 and the G's lapped at 24 mins until caught.

Many thanks to everyone who helped out to make the event a success. Results are below: