The Duncan Murray Wines road races promoted by Welland Valley CC produced top quality racing in all three events on Sunday 25th July.
The first event of the day was for 3rd /4th Category riders and was contested over 80km (4laps) of the Naseby circuit.
With a good standard of riders challenging for the victory the pace on the first lap saw many riders disappear out of the pack as the race ascended the climb in Oxendon and Naseby.
With a nagging side wind on the exposed A508 riders fought to hold their position in the pack as the stronger more aggressive riders attempted to break away.
As the race entered its final lap the over 30 riders had been shelled out the bunch. As the riders entered Haslebeach for the final time a small group had managed to escape the clutches of the bunch.
As the break eased away a couple more riders clipped off the front of the bunch as they could see the break disappear.
At the finish line the officials waited hoping that the final climb would sort out the finishing positions.
First into sight was the duo of Matt Barrett (Raleigh) and AA Brown winner Ryan Ballard (Team Endura). In the sprint for the line local rider Barrett took the victory.
The charge for the final spot on the podium was taken by Junior rider Alex Wallis (Team Sportscover).
Welland Valley’s Tom Sexton finished 10th while Vic Barnett used his experience and fine form to finish 18th
1st Matt Barrett – Raleigh
2nd Ryan Ballard – Team Endura
3rd Alex Wallis – Team Sportscover – 1st Junior
4th Matt Passanger - Loughborough Students
5th Arian Chaplin – Team Zappi’s
6th James Woodier – Leicester Road Club
Round 7 of the Women’s Team Series was also contested over 80km of the rolling circuit.
With over 50 Ladies registered the standard of competition was high. The battle of attrition over the 4 laps would produce a worthy winner.
With strong teams in Team Motorpoint, Rapha Condor and Max Gear RT evident on the front of the bunch, each looking to control the bunch or ensure if a break went they had riders present.
A very similar pattern of racing to earlier event took place as the number of riders was reduced by the nature of the terrain.
On the final climb in the with 1km to go Ali Holland (Max Gear RT) and Kara Chesworth (Rapha Condor) exploded out of the pack and caused havoc behind as the riders fought to find a wheel.
Ali was driving forward with 300m to with Kara sitting directly to behind waiting to pounce. With 50m to go Kara started to come along side Ali and as they both lunged for the line it was the Ali who took the victory by half a wheel from Kara.
Behind the pack was blown to bits as Sarah Byrne (Team Wannabies) took a well deserved 3rd place.
1st - Ali Holland (Max Gear RT)
2nd Kara Chesworth (Rapha Condor)
3rd Sarah Byrne (Team Wannabies)
4th Tamina Oliver (Team Zappi’s)
5th Rohan Battison (Max Gear RT)
6th Ruby Miller (Team Motorpoint) – 1st Junior
A quality field assembled for the Duncan Murray Wines E/1/2/3 event over 140km (7laps).
The Naseby circuit is a good racing circuit with climbs that will test the competitor’s strength and good section of road developing fast sections as riders end up fighting to hold a wheel in the gutter.
The race was started steady before the stronger riders moved to the fore and started driving.
As the race entered the 5th lap a natural selection had formed at the front with Team Sigma’s Matt Stephens & Kit Gilham joined by Rob Sharman (Basso Bikes) and Owain Lovell (Ashfield RC) had managed to forge a gap.
With the four riders working well it was soon apparent that quartet would dominate the final proceedings.
Behind what remained as the bunch had split into two packs.
With Tom Barras (Team Raleigh), Roy Chamberlin (Team Corley Cycles) and Kevin Dawson (Team Sportscover) driving the group that would contest 5th place.
As the race entered the final few kilometers Owain Lovell slipped off the pace as the Sigma duo started to a apply the pressure. With 400 meters to go Stephens was driving hard with Gilham and Sharman following, at the 200 meter mark Gilham started to open up the sprint but it was Sharman who dominated the sprint as the Basso Bikes rider crossed the line with his arms aloft. Gilham was next ahead Stephens.
Lovell crossed the finish line safely in fourth.
Barras (Raleigh) led the next group in for 5th .
It was left to Rob Sharman to have the final word as he took the applause in the prize presentation, he thanked the sponsors, organisers, officials and Welland Valley for a superb days racing.
1st Rob Sharman (Basso Bikes)
2nd Kit Gilham (Sigma Sport)
3rd Matt Stephens (Sigma Sport) – 1st Vet
4th Owain Lovell (Ashfield RC)
5th Tom Barras (Team Raleigh)
Full results
3/4 - http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/15806/Welland-ValleyDuncan-Murray-Wines-Road-Race
Womens - http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/15806/Welland-ValleyDuncan-Murray-Wines-Road-Race
E.1.2.3 - http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/15806/Welland-ValleyDuncan-Murray-Wines-Road-Race