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Ludgershall Circuit Races 25/02/2012

2012-02-26T09:14:00.001-08:00

While local testers were in action for the first time at the Poole Wheelers Inter club Time Trial roadies have already been at it for a few weeks. The MOD test circuit at Ludgershall, Wiltshire, has seen some exciting racing in the last few weeks, Dave & Jordan Wade (Poole Wheelers) have been regulars at the winter series, after a difficult start Jordan has shown a huge improvement and confidence is high.

Dave Gilham (Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood)& daughter Ellie (VC ST Raphael/Waite’s Contracts) have also been out to Ludgershall. Ellie is quickly learning her road craft and managed to stay out of trouble in an incident packed race. Dave Gilham writes… Ellie Gilham(VC ST Raphael/Waite’s Contracts) rode the penultimate round of the Ludgershall winter series this morning in some very wet and slippery conditions. The women’s event was combined with the 4th cats and run simultaneously, about 30 riders in total. Ellie rode within the first 10 places for the entire race marking her main rival and club mate Adel Tyson-Bloor which proved a wise decision as around half distance a rider slipped on the far corner and brought down half the bunch, resulting in one serious injury. ( Lee Rayfield(Swindon RC) broke his collar bone) After the restart Ellie re-established herself near the front and finally took 2nd place in the women’s event.

Dave Wade writes…. yesterday Jordan went to Ludgershall and raced in the Cat 3. He had a good race, it was quite quick and he got himself in a good position to score points but on the last bend before the finish straight, there was a crash which upset the flow of the race. The race finished in two half’s with Jordan in the middle with 11th place. Immediately after this race Jordan went with the E/1/2 and I just expected him to go with the flow at the back and after a few laps come in but no, he was like a man possessed. He got himself settled and then became part of a group of five chasing down two breakaway riders (Felt & Colbourne). I know I am his Dad but I must say I was quite impressed especially as he had just finished a Cat 3 race. You can visibly see him getting stronger as the weeks go by. With two laps of this race to go the pack were all together and then the big guns came to the fore and sprinted in. Jordan came in with them about 12th I think which was a good effort.
Another local rider impressed me yesterday and that was Richard Horton ( BJW). He was in a breakaway of two in the cat 3 race and gave a great account of himself versus a chap called Nick Noble from VC Bristol. Noble has been winning all the Cat 3 Races this year but knew he was in for a race against Richard such so that Noble refused to go to the front to give Richard a break sitting on his tail for the last three laps. Unfortunately Richard was pipped on the line in a very fast exciting sprint. Richard also raced the E/1/2 but I’m not sure what happened with him towards the end.

There was a big crash in the Cat 4 race. One chap got carted off in an ambulance and several others hurt. A local rider in that race was Ellie Gilham who was always on the front or thereabouts but she did not get involved in the finish sprint. Don’t blame her, she is so tiny and the blokes in Cat 4 are like animals and very wayward on the finishing lap, its not for her to get crushed in that battle.

Anyway is was a lovely day yesterday, some great racing. Jordan has gone out again today, he is off to do the CTT Ride for the Pies 80 Miles. No stopping him now. He is gearing up for his first Road Race, The Tom Hawkins RR, promoted by Exeter Wheelers on 11th March.
Both Dave Wade & Dave Gilham raced at Ludgershall but no reports are availlable.
Matt Mildon (PCSC) won the youth event and rode the Poole Wh time trial the following morning.
Results.
E/1/2/3:

1st Tom Smith Felt Colbornes RT
2nd George Harper Felt Colbornes RT
3rd Tim Elverson Pedal Heaven RT
4th Justin Hoy Felt Colbornes RT
5th Lee Smith Felt Colbornes RT
6th Robert McCarthy Pedal Heaven RT
7th Nick Allen Pedal Heaven RT
8th Paul Derrick Strada Cycles
9th Jordan Wade Poole Wheelers
10th Chris Wood Wyndymilla / UK Youth
11th Mark Ottaway Wyndymilla UK Youth
12th John Russell Strada Cycles
13th James Wilson supernovacycles.co.uk
14th Phillip Reynolds Peter Hansford Racing
15th David Barnaville Felt Colbornes RT
16th David Hutchinson VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts /Hewitt Cycles
17th Rupert Beale Beeline Cycles RT
18th Stuart Thompson Andover Wheelers
19th Doug Baldock In Gear-Quickvit
20th Paul Carson Performance Cycles RT
21st Will Robbins Cardiff JIF
22nd David Young Fareham Wheelers CC
23rd Mark Barfied MJS Racing
24th Harry Strudley AW Cycles
25th Jamie Streather VC St Raphael
26th Alex Harding Andover Wheelers
27th Gavin Ryan London Dynamo
28th James Ebdon Wightlink Cycles RT
29th Nicholas Beale Beeline Cycles RT
30th Michael Scott Peter Hansford Racing
31st Patrick Martin Wyndymilla / UK Youth
32nd Daniel Stephens Sotonia CC
33rd Simon Brooks VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts /Hewitt Cycles
34th Lee Mead Wyndymilla UK Youth
35th Ian Legg Primera Speclaized
36th John Wager Felt Colbornes RT

Third cat:

1st Nick Noble Bristol Road Club
2nd Richard Horton Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers CC
3rd Joseph Crolla AW Cycles
4th Leigh-Roy MacFarlane Cycleworks.co.uk
5th Tim Benham Wyndymilla UK Youth
6th Michael Kiss BC PM
7th Andy McKay Zappi Cycling Club
8th Paul Jones Army Cycling Union
9th Deacon Cutterham Army Cycling Union
10th Iain Bullar Gannett CC
11th Jordan Wade Poole Wheelers
12th Will Nicklin Kingston Wheelers CC
13th Murray Quiney Southdown Velo
14th Luke Williams Gannet CC
15th Nigel Pratt Andover Wheelers
16th David Hooper MJS Racing
17th Christopher Fletcher Team Axiom
18th James Cotty Cannondale Racing Team
19th Rob Carter BC pm - South
20th Frazier Carr AW Cycles
21st Hugh Knusden University of Bristol CC
22nd Warren Jesse BC PM- south East
23rd David Gilham Bournemouth Arrow CC/Hotel Colli
24th Malcolm Dixon Severn RC
25th Michael Greaves Gannett CC
26th Richard Williamson Gannet CC
27th Chris Hutchings BC PM - South
28th Callum Cross Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club

Fourth Cat:
1st Pierre Thomas Bath University CC
2nd Benjamin Hall Bristol RC
3rd Philip Wadge BC PM
4th Terence Smith Andover Wheelers
5th Mark Bleakley Bath University CC
6th Darren Edwards Bath CC
7th Kieran Holdstock Worcester St Johns
8th Nicholas Cooper Andover Wheelers
9th Robert Clowes BCPM
10th Gary Hill BC PM
11th Ben Chuilon BC PM
12th Dave Dawkins Team Axiom
13th Ben Boardman New Forest CC
14th Alain Ritchie Kyklos/Edco Race Team
15th Gerald McDermott Gasnnett CC
16th Tony Solon Cadence RT
17th Felix Young Bath University
18th Kevin Jones BC PM
19th Simon Meadwell (Bournemouth Jubilee
20th Jared Linden University of Bristol CC
21st James Chant Gillingham and District Wheelers
22nd Lee King Beeline Cycles
23rd David Hobbs Corinium CC
24th Darren Gardner Cadence RT
25th Jonathan Hodgson BC PM
26th Martin Merryweather Swallowfield Velo Club
27th Sam Barker Wightlink Cycles RT
28th Chris Downham BC PM
29th Paul Boardman Barrow Central Wheelers
30th Jack Elton-Walters Wightlink Cycles RT

Women:
1st Adel Tyson Bloor VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts /Hewitt Cycles
2nd Ellie Gilham VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts /Hewitt Cycles
3rd Nikki Wheeler Team Wiggle

Youth:
1st Matthew MILDON Poole Cycle Speedway Club
2nd Tristan ROBBINS Cardiff JIF
3rd Hugo WALTERS New Forest Cycling Club
4th Joe DONOHUE Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club
5th Rob BOLWELL VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts /Hewitt Cycles
6th Jed WEBBER Andover Wheelers
7th Cameron THOMPSON Andover Wheelers
8th Ashley HUTCHISON VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts /Hewitt Cycles
9th Etienne GEORGI Giant CC / Halo Films
10th Shaun CARTER Gloucester City Cycling Club
11th Jamie HUTCHINSON i-team Cyclist's Club
12th Chris BRETTELL Bristol Cycling Development Squad
13th Katie METALLI Bristol Cycling Development Squad
14th Brendan DREWETT Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club
15th Ryan WHITE 1st Chard Wheelers
16th William CROFTS Bristol Cycling Development Squad
17th Emily HALL Andover Wheelers

Poole Wheelers 27km TT

2012-02-26T07:00:00.009-08:00

Pat Dunn (cc Weymouth) opened his account for the season, with a clear win in the Poole Wheelers 27km TT. Run on the Gallows Hill-Worgret Heath circuit, the event was the first of 6 in an Inter-club hardriders competition. Dunn,with 38.06 was nearly a minute clear of second placed man, Steve Birtwistle (PW) 39.04.

Promising Junior, Harrison Fielding (PW) has spent the winter riding the track at Calshot and has plenty of speed in the legs. His time of 39.24 was good enough for third place, edging out teammate Leighton Girling by just 1 second.

The Gallows Hill circuit has a little of everything, country lanes, wider main roads, a few lumps and a long drag up to the chequered board that never seems to come. Thirty three riders signed on and the the bright sunshine and ever so gentle breeze had thoughts turning to spring.
Provisional Result
1, P DUNN (CCW) 38.06
2, S BIRTWISTLE (PW) 39.04
3,H FIELDING (PW) 39.24
4,L GIRLING (PW) 39.25
5,C LAWSON (CCW) 39.57
6,I DIAPER (BJW) 40.14
7,D LEWIS (PW) 40.27
8,G TUSKIN (PW) 40.43
9,B RIGLAR (CCW) 40.53
10,C ROWE (BJW) 41.00
11, P WILSON (BA) 41.02

12,M BALDOCK (PW) 41.38
13,M ALDRIDGE (PW) 41.48
14,T ICKE(PW) 42.06
15,N BEST(BJW) 42.08
16,J THACKER(VCSTR) 42.16
17, J CHAPMAN(CWW) 42.44
18,,P EVANS (BJW) 42.55

19,S PINK(CCW) 43.01
20,M COURAGE(BJW) 43.17
21,W KEEBLE (PW) 44.25
22,M MILDON(PW) 45.05

23,T BELBIN(PW) 45.39
24,J FOSTER (CCW) 45.52
25,N PINCH(PW) 45.53
26,M MERRITT(CCW) 45.54
27,A PRESTON(CCW) 46.58

28, R INNET (PW) 47.53
29, A JACKSON(CCW) 48.37
30,P BOWEN(PW) 52.39
31,B WAKELY(WRC) 55.25
32,R GOULD (PW) 56.30

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers Club Events 2012

2012-02-25T06:15:00.001-08:00

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers invite members and non-members alike to their club events.The Race of Truth is sport at it's purest and many top British riders have started their careers at the local "club 10".

(click to enlarge)
Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers were formed in 1935, the jubilee year of King George V. The club participate in all aspects of cycling, from road,track,cross,MTB and of course time trials as well as tourist trials & Randonees. (link on right)

UK-BIKING Moreton Race Series 2012

2012-02-24T04:24:00.006-08:00

UK-Biking Moreton Race Series 2012
UK-Biking is very excited to announce they will be running the 7th instalment of the Moreton evening Kermesse races for 2012.

Run under TLI rules, the 12 race series, running from 10th May to 26th July, will be known as the UK-Biking Moreton Race Series and will continue to run on Thursday evenings.

Races will last 1 hour + 1 lap, with riders setting off in ability related groups, to encourage exciting racing.

UK-Biking has developed a new section on their website, providing the latest news, information and results for the series.

A new feature being looked at for this year is the Moreton Midsummer Championships, held on 21st June. This special race will be a longer format, to celebrate the longest day of the year. The race will carry additional points and an award ceremony will take place afterwards. Further details on this will be published on the Moreton website nearer the start of the series.

Richard Lang from UK-Biking says:

"Myself, Steve Dring and the rest of the UK-Biking crew are very much looking forward organising the Moreton Race Series in 2012. Pete (Washington) has worked so hard over the previous 6 years to keep the series running smoothly and we hope we can do somewhere near as good a job!

The success of Moreton always depends on people turning up to race and the help of riders, friends and family with marshalling and chearing on.

We are going to keep the format pretty much the same as previous years but also try and introduce some new features such as the Moreton Midsummer Champs and the new website facilities. We are also going to do a freindly club league table on the website for a bit of fun."

Also new for 2012, points will be awarded to all riders who attend a race, to recognize consistency throughout the series.

Companies that are interested in sponsoring prizes or supporting the series in general should get in touch with UK-Biking through their website.

You can visit http://www.uk-biking.net/moreton (link at top) for further information. Please help spread the word about the UK-Biking Moreton Race Series. The more the merrier!

Local Riders,Local Races

2012-02-23T23:58:00.003-08:00

Ellie Gilham (VC ST Raphael) enjoyed a great start to the season, winning her first race as a junior. Riding at the Mountbatten circuit in Portsmouth, Gilham had escaped with Nikki Wheeler (Wiggle), with just over a lap remaining she jumped Wheeler and quickly got a gap of 6 bike lengths. The Wiggle rider fought hard and closed the gap down the back straight but with 200m to go Ellie kicked again and opened the gap to take her first win in her first race as a junior. Sixteen year old Ferndown-based Gilham has moved up from the youth ranks and switched from Bournemouth Arrow to the VC St Raphael/Waite’s Contracts women’s racing team. The bitterly cold training camp she had been on in Bristol had obviously worked, the two day camp was also a chance for Ellie to get to know her new team. A tough winter training programme involving a mixture of long road rides, turbo & gym work has really brought the youngster on. This coupled with studying for 4 A Levels at Ferndown 6th form means Ellie has a very busy schedule. “I will be racing pretty much every weekend now up till my first objective of the year, the Cheshire Classic in April. ( She could well come up against Great Britain's new Junior World Champion, Lucy Garner). Looking further ahead there is the women’s road race series, the National road champs in May and the Track championships in August”. She says.

Gilham loves track racing, she first rode Calshot aged 9 and has been hooked ever since. Victoria Pendleton & Lizzie Armistead provide the inspiration; “My favourite events are the points & scratch races and I am really looking forward to the track league in Bournemouth this summer”. Having said that, Gilham is also eagerly anticipating her first season on the road and racing over the longer distances. She feels it will play to her endurance strengths and at just 49Kgs she enjoys the hills! There will be harder races ahead for Gilham but that, of course, is part of the attraction, a win is a win and no doubt there will be more to come.

Meanwhile, veteran roadman/sprinter, Steve Moss (Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood) took the honours in the overflow 3rd category race at the Portsmouth venue. Moss has been around a long time and raced on the Continent in the early eighties. A stack of miles through the winter and crafty racing nous make Moss a favourite for most early season “Bunch Gallops”. Also in action at the outdoor track were Dave & Jordan Wade (Poole Wheelers) Hugo Walters (New Forest CC) and a first outing for the new Primera-Specialized team with Ian Legg, Jay Eastwood & Will Stephenson. Legg and Stephenson are both entered in the Severn Bridge road race on 4th March. Winner of the elite race was Gregg Mansell (UK Youth), Son of the former Formula 1 World Champion, Nigel Mansell. Gregg gave the UK Youth squad their second win of the season after Chris Opie’s success in the Perfs Pedal race.

Ten Minutes of Hell, subterranean speed.
Dorset Photo-Journalist Phil Gale reports......
New Forest-based Julia Shaw made the long journey to Liverpool on Sunday to take part in a new and different event. Organised by Liverpool bike shop Vita Cycles, in conjunction with Mersey Travel, the Ten Minutes of Hell saw riders do an out-and-back time trial through the Queensway Road Mersey tunnel. Normally a toll tunnel, open to cars, it was closed for the event so that riders could enjoy the fast descent followed by a long drag when riding through in either direction.

A total of 60 riders took part in the 7 kilometre event going off at 2 minute intervals. As the afternoon passed the “hitters” were sent off, with National Time Trial Champion and Team Sky rider Alex Dowsett the final rider to take on Hell in the tunnel.

He clocked the fastest time of the day taking the first place prize of £1000 pounds as well as a spot £500 prize and £3000 Tag Heuer SLR watch for the fastest split. Shaw won the women’s event also winning £1000 for her efforts as well as a Swift Carbon bike frame; she had a time which put her as one of the ten fastest riders of the day.
Shaw “This was my first event of the year so it was a real lung opener. Not knowing how to pace myself, I went off flat out and then hung on. What an incredible event, riding in a tunnel on closed roads with prizes equal to the men was definitely worth the trip.”
Doswett “That was horrible! I went off harder than planned and just hung on. I would ride this again any day just to hear the sound of the disc wheels echoing in the tunnel. Plus with a couple more races with prizes like this I could retire for the season!”

RESULTS, Top 10
1. Alex Dowsett Team Sky 08:28 (Halfway split) 04:08
2. Ryan Mullen Planet X 09:12 (Halfway split) 04:20
3. James Ratcliffe Fred Williams Cycles 09:13 (Halfway split) 04:30
4. Andrew Wilkinson Port Sunlight Wheelers 09:16 (Halfway split) 04:33
5. Ken Buckley Reading Cycling Club 09:20 (Halfway split) 04:35
6. Liam Stones Team Corley Cycles Blue 09:28 (Halfway split) 04:41
7. James Coleman Witham Wheelers CC 09:35 (Halfway split) 04:45
8. Stuart Wells Scunthorpe Poly CC 09:59 (Halfway split) 04:53
9. Julia Shaw Drag2Zero 09:59 (Halfway split) 04:56
10. Roy Sumner Port Sunlight Wheelers 10:03 (Halfway split) 05:01

Thanks to Sportful, Swift Carbon, DHW Enterprises and Mersey Travel for their assistance with Vita Cycles, without whom this event would not have happened.

Raymond Brown Track Cycling League
Bournemouth Cycling Centre has announced their plans for the summer track league. Sponsored by the track builders, Raymond Brown and run by Bournemouth Arrow CC, the league will run every Tuesday at 18.30, from 1st May to 31st July. Events will include sprint, scratch, elimination and point’s races, racing will be split into A&B groups, to ensure competition at all levels. All riders must hold BCC accreditation and pre-register to be allocated a number which they will keep for the series. Race entry fee on the day will be £10 for seniors/youth and £3 for youth.

2012 Track Cycling League Team

Key to the success of Bournemouth’s first Track Cycling League is the organisational Team.

Drawing valued assistance from local Clubs, Organisations and Individuals the Arrow are delighted to have on board;

Alan McRae - Overall Programme

Graham Hurst – Youth Programme

Jackie Storey – Entry and Signing on Administration

Steve Staniland – Competition Equipment Set up

Dave Maclean – Track Security and Rider Safety

Gerry Gray – Track Centre Race Officials and support Team

Gerry Gray – Results and League Tables Administration

Roger Papp – Facility Operation and Rider Accreditation

All these volunteers will require additional assistance every Tuesday evening so anyone able to join the rota of their helpers should contact the above or info@bournemouth.cc (Link on Right)

The time trial season gets underway this weekend with the Poole Wheelers/Wessex RC 27km event. Held on the sporting Gallows Hill-Moreton circuit, the race is the first of six in an inter club series. Entry is on the line with the first rider off at 10:00.

A few images from the UCI Track World Cup at the London Olympic Veodrome.

BATH 100 SUNDAY 1ST APRIL 2012

From Tracy Edwards, Community Fund Raising Manager for Action Medical Research

“Starting from Bath Racecourse the Bath 100 offers a great opportunity to put your winter training to the test, with some lung busting hills and breath-taking descents.
The Bath 100 offers a choice of a 100 mile or 100 km through scenic Somerset & Wiltshire and is perfect for anyone who wants to set themselves a real challenge. The ride passes through many famous landmarks including Stourhead, King Alfreds Tower, Bratton, Westbury White Horse & Lacock.
The Bath 100 is fully supported with great route signs, marshalls, bike mechanics, back-up vehicles, regular refreshment stops, a fantastic lunch stop & chip timing. (Link on right for more info)

On the 06th March as the schools all ride and scoot in as part of The Big Pedal 2012,(link on right) local Sustrans officer, Jason Falconer, is planning an epic ride on the track.
Jason will ride 84 miles.
This equals 134 Kilometres / 537 laps and Jason reckons it will take him 4 and half hours starting at 9.30 a.m.
I am sure he will appreciate your support if you are in the area!

Inter Club Time Trial Series

2012-02-22T01:40:00.002-08:00

The local time trial season gets underway in Dorset this weekend with the Poole Wheelers/Wessex RC 27km event on Sunday 26th. Entry is on the line with the first rider off at 10:00. Held on the Gallows Hill-Moreton circuit, the race is the first of six in an inter club series,with all of the events held on sporting courses. Points will be allocated in the same way as the popular end of season hill climbs. Participating clubs are Poole Whs, Bournemouth Jubilee Whs, CC Weymouth and Wessex RC. Of course these events are not limited to just these clubs and all are welcome. The idea is to add a bit of interest to these testing, early season club events and hopefully increase entries. Paul Hughes of Poole Wheelers describes the courses:
Sun 26th Feb 10:00. Poole Whs 27 km Gallows Hill-Moreton Circuit P433. A rolling course that starts at Gallows Hill then goes via Clouds Hill, B3390, Moreton, Wool, Worgret and finally along the 7km drag up Puddletown Road to the finish at Gallows Hill.
Sun 4th Mar 10:00. Poole Whs 15 miles Purbeck Hilly Circuit. A rolling start and finish with Whiteways Hill in the middle. Start in Holme Lane near the Springfield Hotel then via West Holme, East Lulworth, climb Whiteways Hill, descend Steeple, Church Knowle, Corfe Castle, Wareham bypass to finish in West Lane near the Springfield Hotel.

Sat 10th Mar 15:00. Bournemouth Jubilee Whs 20 miles Furzehill Circuit P472A (2 laps). An undulating course that starts at Furzehill and goes via Pig Oak, Horton, Horton Inn and B3078 to finish at Furzehill.
Sun 11th Mar 09:00 Poole Whs 15 miles Wareham-Gallows Hill Circuit P414. This is the same testing circuit that was used for the 2011 Rudy Project. Start at Wareham Station then past Silent Woman pub to Lane End then via Gallows Hill, Wool and Wareham bypass to finish at Wareham Station.
Sat 24th Mar 10:00 CC Weymouth 22 miles Moreton-Gallows Hill Circuit P436 (2 laps). This is the same course (but different start) proposed by Poole Whs for the CTT National Circuit Championships in 2013. A sporting course with a 2 mile drag up Gallows Hill from Wool. Start at Moreton, then via East Burton, Wool, Gallows Hill, Clouds Hill and B3390 to finish at Moreton.
Sun 25th Mar 09:00 Poole Whs 28 miles Round the Harbour P461. This is the revised edition of the old classic open event that used to start at Sandbanks and finish on the ferry approach at Studland. Due to traffic lights in the town and at Sandford, the new course starts at the Creekmoor Park and Ride and goes via Bakers Arms, A35, Woodbury, past the Silent Woman pub, Wareham Bypass, Corfe Castle, B3351 past the Purbeck Golf Club and through Studland to finish on the ferry approach. Note that transport will be provided to take kit from the start across to the finish.

Local Riders,Local Races

2012-02-17T01:11:00.002-08:00

Darren Kenny OBE, retained his 1 KM time trial title on day 3 at the world championships in Los Angeles. Verwood- based Kenny clocked 1:12.496 in his four lap effort, more than a second faster than David Nicholas (Australia). Great Britain team mate Shaun McKeown also made the podium, picking up the bronze medal. Kenny had bounced back well after the disappointment of losing his 3km pursuit title to Nicholas on day 2. The multiple world & Paralympic champion had been caught by the Australian in the final ride and had to settle for silver. Another Silver followed in the team sprint final as Kenny, along with Sarah Storey and Jody Cundy lost out to the Chinese trio. Meanwhile Barney Storey had to settle for silver for the second consecutive year in the tandem kilo. Storey and visually impaired stoker Neil Fachie came agonisingly close to gold, finishing just 0.0099 seconds behind teammates Anthony Kappes & Craig MacLean. Storey and Fachie were on course for a final showdown with their GB rivals after beating Canada in the quarter finals. However the Corfe Mullen rider was taken ill and had to withdraw from the semi-final with the Netherlands. Kappes & Maclean went on to win the title comfortably beating the Dutch pairing 2-0.Once again GB topped the medal table but it had been a challenging week for the whole squad. The jet lag from the long flight hung around longer than expected. Shaun McKeown spent most of one night in the hospital after suffering an allergic reaction to something he ate.

Rising star, Mark Colbournes father had passed away on the opening day of the championships. His gold medal winning ride in the C1 pursuit was fuelled by emotion. Barney Storeys illness and subsequent withdrawal from the tandem sprint undoubtedly cost him & Neil Fachie a medal. Instead of riding against the Netherlands in the semi-final, Storey was forced to return to the team hotel. “That’s bike racing” was his disappointed response. Perhaps this had been on Sarah Storeys mind as the sprint team surrendered their world title to the Chinese.

Photo,Kelkel
Lead Coach Chris Furber offered no excuses however and remains positive, Furber told “E D” “I’m satisfied with the performance at the Worlds, to be in gold or silver medal position in 14 events puts us in a great place for the games. The next month is about reviewing performance and formulating detailed plans for the run-in to London." After a few days rest for the squad thoughts will turn to the road. An endurance camp in Majorca in March will be followed by world cup events in Italy and Spain. The track events at the Paralympic games will be held in the Velodrome at the Olympic park, while the road events will take place at Brands Hatch.

Perfs Pedal Race

Chris Opie (Team UK Youth) won the season opening, Perfs Pedal race on Portsdown Hill. The race went ahead, although reduced from 5 laps to four, after the VC ST Raphael organising team had worked hard to clear ice from the course.

Team UK Youth had controlled the race from the start, strength in numbers and a race plan ensured no one was allowed to escape the bunch.Doug Dewey(Terra Footwear-Bicycle line)lead a small group clear on the final climb before Opie attacked to take a comfortable win.

Perfs Pedal images courtesy of www.velouk.net
Top Ten
1 Chris OPIE Team UK Youth
2 Marcin BIALOBLOCKI Node4 Giordana
3 Jonathan McEVOY Endura Racing
4 David McGOWAN Team UK Youth
5 Erick ROWSELL Endura Racing
6 Jon DIBBEN Hargroves Cycles-Specialized-Trant-Next-Elliott's
7 Freddy JOHANSSON Team UK Youth
8 Ben SIMMONS Team Wiggle
9 Yanto BARKER Team UK Youth
10 Douglas DEWEY Terra Footwear- Bicycle Line

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 100 mile Reliability Trial

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheeler, Mike Walsh, organiser of the clubs hugely successful reliability trial series reports on the 100 mile event. The four tourist trials across the winter months have proved very popular.
"54 riders started, 27 on the 100 in 8 and also 27 on the 100 km. 24 finished the 100 in 8 and 26 the 100 km.

A fantastic finish ratio. The fastest group finished in just over 6 hours whereas there was a couple on the 100 km who returned just before 4 p.m. Although a cold start to the day the roads were dry and any water draining from the fields could be identified and thus the ice patches avoided. The weather became less cold through the day and the riders experienced minimal wind. All riders seemed happy upon their return and tucked into the tea and cakes provided under the guidance of Aimée Barber. (Other helpers were Dave Langley, Mike and Jo Gordon, Reg Haskins, Aimée, Matt, Sue [Barber family], Jacky and Clive). I had a large glass of wine in the evening."

Racing Club Omega has a packed calendar of circuit & track events in the south in 2012. Next Sunday (19th) is the start of the Mountbatten Circuits at the Mountbatten Centre at North End in Portsmouth.
Starting at 10am, there are races for Category 4/Women/category 3 and finally a race for Elite 1/2 category riders.
The 4th category race is on for 10am followed by the women’s race and category 3 event at 11.30. The E/1/2 race is at 1pm.
DIRECTIONS:
Follow M275 direction Continental Ferry Port. Take slip direction North End, at RAB take first slip up Twyford Avenue to mini RAB, Follow route,’Out of City’ up Northern Parade, where left at signpost Cannons Sports Club / Alexandra Bowls. Follow road down to back of the Mountbatten Centre. Cycle Track is out the back. PLEASE NOTE THE SPEED RESTRICTIONS ON THE M275
OTHER EVENTS 2012
Sunday 11th March 2012
OMEGA PORTSMOUTH CIRCUITS CD: 14/03/11 Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth
YOUTH U16/U14/U12/U10/U8 3.00 5.00 Var 0945
REGIONAL C+ 4 / J4 8.00 10.00 40 km 1030
REGIONAL A WOMEN 8.00 10.00 40 km 1030
REGIONAL B 3 / J3 8.00 10.00 56 km 1130
NATIONAL B E / 1 / 2 8.00 10.00 56 km 1300

Sunday 18th March 2012
OMEGA THRUXTON CIRCUITS CD: 05/03/11 Thruxton Motor Circuit, Andover
YOUTH U16/U14/U12/U10/U8 3.00 5.00 Var 0930

REGIONAL C+ 4 / J4 10.00 15.00 40 km 1015
REGIONAL A WOMEN 10.00 15.00 40 km 1015
REGIONAL B 3 / J3 10.00 15.00 56 km 1130
NATIONAL B E / 1 / 2 10.00 15.00 56 km 1300
Sunday 25th March 2012
OMEGA THRUXTON CIRCUITS CD: 12/03/11 Thruxton Motor Circuit, Andover
YOUTH U16/U14/U12/U10/U8 3.00 5.00 Var 0930
REGIONAL C+ 4 / J4 10.00 15.00 40 km 1015
REGIONAL A WOMEN 10.00 15.00 40 km 1015
REGIONAL B 3 / J3 10.00 15.00 56 km 1130
NATIONAL B E / 1 / 2 10.00 15.00 56 km 1300
Wednesdays 4th 11th 18th 25th April 2nd MAY 2012

RAY MARTIN MEMORIAL 150 DISTANCE LEAGUE Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth
CD: 23/03/11 for the series price of YOUTH 15.00 SENIORS E/1/2/3/4/W/J 32.00

Per meeting

YOUTH U16/U14/U12/U10/U8 4.00 4.00 Var 1815

REGIONAL B 3/4/J/W 8.00 10.00 40 mins+ 1845

NATIONAL B E/1/2/3 8.00 10.00 50 mins+ 1945
Saturday 7th April 2012

PORTSMOUTH EASTER CIRCUITS Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth
REGIONAL C+ 4 / J4 £8.00 (£10.00) 40 mins 0900
REGIONAL A WOMEN £8.00 (£10.00) 50 mins 1000
REGIONAL B 3 / J3 £8.00 (£10.00) 50 mins 1000
NATIONAL B E / 1 / 2 / J1 / J2 £8.00 (£10.00) 1 hour 1100
PORTSMOUTH EASTER OPEN MEET inc THE NEW KINGSBURY CUP & A ROUND OF THE BC HARD TRACK ENDURANCE LEAGUE

Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth
TRACK SM / W / J 10.00 15.00 1300

TRACK U16 / U14 /U12 Fixed 5.00 8.00

U12/U10/U8 Free wheel 5.00 8.00
Wednesday 16th May – 19th September 2012

PORTSMOUTH CIRCUITS Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth

YOUTH U16/U14/U12/U10/U8 4.00 4.00 Var 1815

REGIONAL B 3/4/J/W 10.00 10.00 52 km 1845

NATIONAL B E/1/2/3 10.00 10.00 52 km 1930
Sunday 20th May 2012
SOUTH REGION BC ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS Upavon
OPEN TO SOUTH REGION RIDERS ONLY
NATIONAL B E/1/2/3 130 km+ £15.00 (£20.00 ) 1030
REGIONAL A JUNIORS ONLY 80 km+ £15.00 (£20.00 ) 1040
REGIONAL A WOMEN ONLY 80 km+ £15.00 (£20.00 ) 1040
REGIONAL B 4/ over 40 3rd cats 80 km+ £15.00 (£20.00 ) 1040
Saturday 23rd JUNE 2012

BRITISH SCHOOLS CYCLING ASSOCIATION

NATIONAL HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIPS Inc Southern Regional Championships CD: 09/04/12 Ditcham Park School, Petersfield
U8 / U10 / U12 / U14 / U16 / O16 NATIONAL 6.00 tbc

No entry on the day NATIONAL & REGIONAL 8.00

Sunday 24th JUNE 2012

BRITISH SCHOOLS CYCLING ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL HARD TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS Inc Southern Regional Championships CD: 09/04/12 Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth
U8 / U10 / U12 / U14 / U16 / O16 NATIONAL 6.00 1100

No entry on the day NATIONAL & REGIONAL 8.00

U8 / U10 / U12 use a free wheel machine U14 / U16 / O16 used a fixed wheel machine
Sunday 10th June 2012

SUSIES YOUTH TRACK MEETING inc Youth Omniums ~ Southern Area Heat CD: 05/04/10 Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth
TRACK U16 / U14 / U12 8.00 10.00 1000

YOUTH U10 / U8 5.00 8.00

Saturday 18th June 2011
OMEGA STAGE RACE: (TT & CIRCUITS) Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth REGIONAL C+ 4 / J4 £10.00 (£15.00) 0900

REGIONAL A WOMEN £10.00 (£15.00) 0945
REGIONAL B 3 / J3 £10.00 (£15.00) 1030
NATIONAL B E / 1 / 2 / J1 / J2 £10.00 (£15.00) 1100
YOUTH CIRCUITS Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth

YOUTH U16/U14/U12/U10/U8 £3.00 (£5.00) Var 1200
Sunday 15th JULY 2012
SOUTH OPEN CIRCUITS- open to non south region riders only Thruxton
REGIONAL B 3/4/J/W 40 mins+ 3 laps £10.00 (£15.00) 0900
REGIONAL A E/1/2 50 mins+ 3 laps £10.00 (£15.00) 1040
YOUTH U10 / U8 Var £3.00 (£5.00) 1115
YOUTH U16 / U14 / U12 Var £3.00 (£5.00) 1130

SOUTH REGION BC ROAD CIRCUIT CHAMPIONSHIPS Thruxton
OPEN TO SOUTH REGION RIDERS ONLY
YOUTH U10 / U8 Var £3.00 (£5.00) 1115
YOUTH U16 / U14 / U12 Var £3.00 (£5.00) 1130

REGIONAL A JUNIORS ONLY 40 mins+ 3 laps £10.00 (£15.00) 1200
REGIONAL A WOMEN ONLY 40 mins+ 3 laps £10.00 (£15.00) 1200

REGIONAL B 4/ over 40 3rd cats 40 mins+ 3 laps £10.00 (£15.00) 1200

NATIONAL B E/1/2/3 80 mins+ 3 laps £10.00 (£15.00) 1300

ALL ENTRIES TO: Mrs Susan KNIGHT 21 Bedhampton Road North End PORTSMOUTH
PO2 7JX 023 9264 2226
Thruxton’s/Open Track/ Sat Portsmouth’s Cheques to: Racing Club Omega

Wednesdays nights at Portsmouth Track Cheques to: Portsmouth Cycle Track League

Daniel Lloyd (Team I G Markets-Sigma Sport) is currently commentating on the Tour of the Algarve for Eurosport. The I G Markets-Sigma team will be officially launched in London today before heading out to Tuscany for some warm weather training. As well as racing, Lloyd revealed on Eurosport that he will be working at the Giro d'Italia in a commentary role for the channel.

Bournemouth Track League 2012

2012-02-14T07:23:00.003-08:00

The Bournemouth Arrow Cycling Club and Raymond Brown are proud to announce the 2012 Track Cycling League.

Held at the Bournemouth Cycling Centre every Tuesday from April 17th 6.30pm, the events include Sprint, Scratch, Elimination, Points Races and the racing is open to British Cycling licence holders Elite/1/2/3/4 and Youth; each to be split into A and B Groups to ensure competition at all levels.
All riders must hold Bournemouth CC Accreditation and must pre-register and be allocated a race number which they will keep for the series. Race entry fee on the day – £10 Seniors/Juniors – £3 Youth.
League Calendar
17th and 24th April – Coach led race preparation/Fast Track Accreditation if necessary.
1st May to 31st July – Track League Competition

Championships Calendar
14th to 21st Aug – Track Championships for League Riders
Further Information: http://www.bournemouth.cc/

Open sessions arranged at BCC for 2012

Every Tuesday – Track Cycling League
Time – 18:30 to 20:30

Every Wednesday – Intermediate Training
Time – 18:30 to 20:30
Dates - Starting 18th April to 29th August.
Intermediate Track Sessions open to all experienced riders, in addition to those who have started the “Standard Accreditation” process and have reached minimum Stage 2. These intermediate sessions will enable you to complete the accreditation process in addition to riding drills with other competent track riders.
Each session will be pitched at a level just below full competition, and provide an opportunity for skills and fitness progressive development for all riders who have already achieved basic track competence.

Every Thursday – Standard Accreditation
Time – 18:30 to 20:30
Dates - Starting 3rd May to 28th June.
These sessions are aimed at beginners and novices and will teach you the basic skills and techniques to enable you to ride confidently on the track.

Accreditation is essential if you wish to ride other Intermediate and Competition training sessions listed above.

Kenny retains World Title

2012-02-11T22:46:00.000-08:00

Darren Kenny retained his Kilo TT world title on day 3 of the world Championships. Kenny’s time of 1.12.496 was too fast for silver medallist, David Nicholas (Australia). Kenny’s team mate, Shaun McKeon grabbed the bronze medal with 1.14.347. Kenny bounced back well after the disappointment of losing his pursuit title to Nicholas on day 2.

Meanwhile, Barney Storey had to settle for silver for the second consecutive year in the Tandem Kilo. Storey and stoker, Neil Fachie came agonisingly close to gold, finishing just 0.099s behind Anthony Kappes and Craig MacLean. Both the Dorset athletes will be in action on the final day of the championships, Kenny in the team sprint, with Sarah Storey & Jody Cundy. Storey goes in the tandem sprint and if all goes to plan, should face Maclean & Kappes in the final.

Jody Cundy
Photos by kind permission of Christina Kelkel

Storey Storms to Gold!

2012-02-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

Sarah Storey won gold in the 500m Time Trial on the opening day of the World Championships in Los Angeles. Recording 37.371, Storey's victory was never in doubt.The world champion spoke as she cooled down on the rollers "Really happy to win the 500m,it's always a bit tense when the world record holder rides!(China's Ju Fang Zhou) I have won this event 3 years on the trot now which is a surprise for a diesel like me!!"

Silver & bronze went to the American's Greta Neimanas and Jennifer Schulbe. Shortly after Sarah's lap of honour, tandem pair Helen Scott & Aileen McGlynn took silver in the 3,000m pursuit, giving second best to the Irish pairing, Frances Meehan & Catherine Walsh. The girls had gone 3.38 in qualifying but faded to 3.42 in the final. Helen "Scottie" Scott said " I could feel it in my legs as soon as we left the gate" They ride the 1km time trial on Friday and will hope to turn silver into gold.

Fiona Duncan & Lora Turnham had to settle for fourth place after a gutsy ride that was not quite good enough. Day 2 promises to be exciting with all of the British squad in action, apart from Storey who has a day off. She rides again on Saturday in the pursuit and again on Sunday in the Team Sprint.

G B Para-Cycling Squad ready to go to work!!

2012-02-09T07:02:00.000-08:00

The home Depot Centre complex is built on the sight of the 1984 Olympic Velodrome. As you would expect for the USA, the training facilities are impressive. The main Stadium is surrounded by football pitches, basketball courts and palm trees and as the song says “it never rains in southern California”. David Beckham and his L A Galaxy teammates have been training at the venue. Trying to watch, however, is frowned upon by the tight security.

The G B riders all seem pleased with the track, saying it is faster than expected. Having flown in last Saturday, they have shaken off the jet-lag and now want to get on with the competition. The three training sessions the squad have had on the track have gone well and now the talking stops.

Day 1 will see Sarah Storey defending her 500m Time Trial title and Helen Scott & Aileen Mcglynn(above) and Fiona Duncan & Lora Turnham in the 3,000m Tandem Pursuit.

Great Britain Para-Cycling team warm up for 2012

2012-02-08T22:07:00.000-08:00

Great Britain Para-Cycling team warm up for the 2012 world track championships in Los Angeles!

The World track championships start on Thursday 9th Feb and the British squad took advantage of a final chance to ride the boards.

World Titles and rainbow jersey's are in the squads sights!

The Championships run till Sunday and Great Britain were looking very sharp in training!

Local Riders,Local Races

2012-02-07T16:06:00.000-08:00

The road racing season gets underway this weekend (ice permitting) with the 47th Perfs Pedal race. As usual this traditional season opener has attracted a top class field including last year’s winner, Ben Stockdale. Team UK Youth, the squad backed by former F1 world champion Nigel Mansell have a strong team including former Tour de France rider, Magnus Backstedt.

Local hopes for the £150 first prize lie with Richard Horton (BJW). Horton has been training hard over the winter and is in good form. The 18 year old from Winton is not just good on two wheels; he recently won the Poole Park 5km run.

The 46 mile race starts at 11:00am from Southwick in Hampshire and includes 6 climbs of Portsdown Hill, above Portsmouth.

Jordan Wade, (Poole Wheelers) continues to impress at the Ludgershall winter road race series. Wade snatched third place in the latest round on the tank testing Army circuit in Wiltshire. Backing up his second place of the previous week, 17 year old Wade is handily placed in the 8 race series.
( This Saturdays race has been called off due to snow)

Darren Kenny will defend his three Para-cycling world titles in Los Angeles this weekend. Verwood based Kenny will ride in the Kilo, the individual pursuit and the team sprint.

Tandem Pilot, Barney Storey from Corfe Mullen is also in the USA and will ride in the 1 kilometre TT and the sprint with visually impaired stoker, Neil Fachie.

Do you fancy trying out your race legs? Bob Jolliffe sends an invite..... If you do, multi-talented veteran all-rounder Glenn Longland has laid on a pair of open 10-mile time trials on the Kings Somborne to Romsey road on Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4 to mark the 40th anniversary of his first race. Glenn, who started with Crabwood CC and went on to form Antelope Racing Team, has done it all, and well: cyclo-cross, road racing, track racing and time trialling, at which he excelled, taking the 12-hour competition records in 1983, 1986 and 1991 when he became the first rider to beat 300 miles with a day-long tally of 300.08 miles. He was also National 12-hour Champion in 1978, 1984-6 and 1989; 100-mile champ in 1984 and 50-mile title-holder in 1986 and 1987. He also won the British Best All-Rounder competition in 1986 and again in 1991.And he can still turn in some cracking times against the watch, even on his hack bike complete with pannier rack. Glenn is promoting a solo 10 on the P140, which starts at Compton just south of King’s Somborne and turns at the Greatbridge mini-roundabout at Romsey (take care here) starting at 3pm on the Saturday, and on Sunday is staging a two-up team time trial on the same course with the first pair due to set off south at 9.02am. Entries are £8 per rider for both events. Send them to Glenn Longland at 32 Testlands Avenue, Nursling, Southampton SO16 0XG by February 21. New-style Cycling Time Trials entry forms can be downloaded from the CTT website. New Forest CC’s first club time trial is the traditional pipe-opener on the Holmsley-A35-Burley-Holmsley 10-mile circuit the following Sunday. Event HQ is Goatspen car park and the first rider will be away at 9.31am. The second in the series, over 12.8 miles, will take place seven days later..

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers popular series of reliability trials concludes with the 100 mile ride on Sunday. The series has been running for many years and numbers are on the increase, nearly 200 turned out for the 50 mile event in November,. Non-members are welcome and the £5 entry fee includes associate membership of BJW. Start and finish is at Merley Community Centre. Parking facilities and refreshments are available. First riders off at 08:30.

NEW CYCLING ACCIDENT DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED
We have seen an increase in the number of client’s who have been injured on their bike’s. As a result, we have now developed a cycling accident specialist department within the Personal Injury Department dedicated to the needs of injured cyclists.
The Head of the Personal Injury Department, David McWilliam is a keen cyclist and triathlete. He spends many hours a week training and recognises the dangers caused by Britain’s roads and other road users when out on his bicycle. He and his team have links with many local bike shops and can assist with getting a bike repaired or replaced.
In view of the ever increasing cost of fuel, more and more people are using their bicycles as their main form of transport not just for leisure purposes. Riding a bicycle makes you particularly vulnerable to injury from even the most minor of accidents. Approximately 230 cyclists are killed or seriously injured every month on Britain’s roads. Many more suffer less serious injuries but over 16,000 cyclists are suffering injuries in Britain’s roads every year.
Many accidents involve collisions with HGV’s and the Government are now looking at legislation to require hauliers to fit the 450,000 lorries in Britain with sensors and emergency braking systems to help prevent accidents with cyclists when in vehicles’ blind spots.
If you have been injured in a cycling accident, you may be able to claim personal injury compensation. Ellis Jones can act on a No Win, No Fee basis and you will receive 100% of the damages.
Contact us now for a free assessment of your case on 01202 525333 or email david.mcwilliam@ellisjones.co.uk

Kids on the Track

2012-02-01T03:56:00.000-08:00

Kids? Do you want to ride your bike more often? There is a series of traffic-free cycle coaching sessions this spring at the Bournemouth Cycling Centre. Sessions last two hours and cost £5 per rider and are for children aged between 8 and 14 years old of all abilities. The session leaders will be Richard Eastham, Jason Falconer and Graham Hurst. All are qualified and accredited British Cycling coaches. The Bournemouth Cycling Centre is the cycle track at Slades Farm, Bournemouth, nearest post code BH10 4EP. All sessions are in the mornings from 10h00 until 12h00 • Saturday 25th February 2012• Saturday 3rd March 2012• Saturday 10th March 2012• Saturday 17th March 2012• Saturday 24th March 2012• Saturday 31st March 2012

RICHARD EASTHAM | + 44 (0) 7816 299 909 | richardeastham@hotmail.com

Local Riders, Local Races

2012-02-01T02:28:00.000-08:00

Photo,David Wade
Jordan Wade (Poole Wheelers) had to settle for second place in round 3 of the Ludgershall winter road race series. Wade lost out by a tyre’s width after leading the sprint out at the Wiltshire venue and comes after his 4th place the previous week. The seventeen year old has bounced back after a difficult start to the year. Racing on the purpose built circuit at Hillingdon in West London, Wade crashed in his first two outings of the season. His confidence was dented but he has stuck at it and the results are starting to come. Wareham-based Wade is a bit of an all-rounder, riding Cyclo-cross, mountain biking and time trials.

He started road racing as a first year junior last season (2011) and quickly got his third category licence. A regular at the Moreton series, Wade is quickly gaining experience and with that experience will come confidence. The legs are strong, just ask team mate Gary Dighton. The former Olympian trains with Jordan: " If Jordan is on your wheel, you just can't get rid of him". Every Tuesday morning Wade is up at 5am, 35 miles on the mountain bike in Wareham forest, you start to get an idea where the strenght comes from. It was so cold this week the water in his bidon froze! "Now thats keen bordering on madness" says Jordans father Dave. Dad goes on to say "He certainly has some talent there, it's just extracting it and like all lads his age, he takes no notice of his dad!!" Jordan Wade will enjoy this season on the bike. Along with Ludgershall,Thruxton and the Mountbatten circuit races he will ride the Junior tour of Bristol in April as well as the Etape du Tour. He may be distracted a little by maths, physics and geography A-Levels, a place at university to study engineering is the goal. After those two crashes it would have been easy for Wade to pack it in. He did'nt, he got back on his bike and got on with it, that resilience and determination is just as important as talent!

The Great Britain team was struck by illness at the World Cyclo-Cross Championships in Belgium last weekend. Luke Gray escaped the sickness bug but had enough problems, Rob Gray kept a diary:

Day 1 Wednesday 25th - Luke meets the GB Team in the evening at the Hotel in De Panne.

Day 2 Thursday 26th - First practise day. Luke, riding on file tread tyres slides out on some mud on a corner into the course barriers and injured the top of his leg. Later lots of ice helps to bring the swelling down.

Day 3 Friday 27th- Last practise day. two of the Juniors fall ill then more start to follow. Junior Hugo Robinson is moved into Luke's room.
My wife Jeanne, Luke's girl friend Lisa, and myself arrived on the supporters coach and stay in a hotel only 100 yards from the GB Team Hotel. We met up with the limping Luke that night.
Later that night Luke's woken to find, Hugo's fallen ill. Luke said poor Hugo woke him up 10 times in the night to be sick.
Day 4 Saturday 28th- First race day of the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships at Koksijde in on the Belgium coast, half hour's drive from Dunkirk. Only 1 Junior Joe Moses makes the race, the other two were ill with what they think was food poisoning.
At 3pm the under 23 race starts without the sick Steve James. Luke struggles in the energy sapping deep sandy sections from the start in what is a power course not suited to him. We saw the pain on his face as he struggled with his leg in the many running sections.
GB U23 rider Kenta Gallagher finishes in 30th, he fell ill later that night. Jack Clarkson was pulled at 1 lap to go and finished in 40th and as far as we no remained well. Luke came in at 52nd and was pulled with 3 laps to go. Understandably wasn't pleased, but I did remind him that after all that 52nd in the UCI World Championship race doesn't sound too bad. He also said that the huge cheering crowds were quite deafening in places but was glad of all the many Brits that had made the trip to support him and the rest of the GB squad.

By now several of the GB Team Staff, coaches and mechanics had fallen ill.

Day 5 Sunday 29th- Race day two. The crowds swell to an amazing 62,000 today. GB's Gabby Day didn't start. Luke said she left the house for home, were Luke and she stays in the week with a bad chest infection. Also Annie Last was a non starter she two was out due to the sickness.
National Women's Champ Helen Wyman leads from the start but fades, but Brit Nicky Harris is the star of the GB Team who finishes a fantastic 6th.
Lunch time was spent in the huge aircraft hanger (read beer tent) for much needed beer, frites and waffles. This was packed with about 2000 fans with much flag waving, outrageous fancy dress, drunkenness, and singing along to loud music. The atmosphere was fantastic.

Race-2, the Elite race started at 3pm, without GB's Jody Crawforth who failed to make the trip due to an illness. Then after 2 laps GB's Paul Oldham pulls out of the race. Not sure why but he was really struggling. Ian Field the new National Champion was off the pace and finished in 36th place.

Day 6 Monday 30th- Luke drove back to Oudenaarde, he has a couple more weeks of racing to finish the season with a GVA race and a Superprestige race before he returns home on the 12th Feb.
We returned to GB via a shopping spree for some Belgium beer.
Robert.

Daniel Lloyd will be riding for British Team, I G–Sigma Sports this season. Lloyd has spent 8 years as a professional rider but was facing retirement after failing to secure a contract for 2012. The former Tour de France rider will be racing in the UK and on the continent. The Sigma team have also signed up for the Tour of the Battenkill, the toughest one day race in the USA.The race website www.tourofthebattenkill.com has this to say:
America's largest one-day Pro/Am cycling race. Racers compete over 64 miles of rolling terrain on both dirt and paved roads as they travel through the world famous Battenkill Valley. Set in early spring, the race starts and finishes in the scenic village of Cambridge, New York and courses through covered bridges, family farms, and rural villages along the many challenging backcountry roads that traverse Southern Washington County, New York.

photo,www.tourofthebattenkill.com

Monday night road race coaching session with Chester Hill. The road season is just around the corner so why not sharpen up your road craft!!
At the Mountbatten Leisure centre (track).
19:45 for 20:00 start, finish at 21:00
The sessions will role on probably unitl the start of the athletics season
For Senior and Junior riders.
£5 a rider

The sessions will have a technical & tactical flavour, and include coaching a range of the below examples

Technical examples
Bunch etiquette
Sprint lead outs
Maintaining a position near the front of a group
Taking laps out for technical problem
Putting on and taking off a gillet / cape
Feeding at speed
Lunging the bike at the finish line
Taking a bottle / musette from a helper
distributing items between teammates
Sitting on/in
Clipping in at the start of a race
Group riding - Thru and off

Tactical related to:
Initiating attacks
Responding to attacks
Sprinting
Breakaway riding
Bunch riding
Blocking
Team strategies
The tactical elements will be delivered using a coaching technique called coach led racing, which is akin to exploratory learning for bike racers.
Mountbatten Leisure Centre
Portsmouth, United Kingdom

At 100 miles, the Wiggle Jurassic Classic Epic gives riders the chance to experience a challenging route cycling along the stunning Jurassic Coast World Heritage coastline from Exmouth.
This circular route will take you along the coast, through Budleigh Salterton, Otterton, Beer, Seaton and Lyme Regis before heading inland at Charmouth.
Here you ride through stunning countryside via Axminster, Honiton and Woodbury Common before descending back into Exmouth for the finish.
There are some challenging climbs to test you along the way; Salcombe Hill is one to watch out for!

www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

"Local Riders,Local Races" is just about the only place still offering 20% at Primera Sports. Treat yourself ahead of the race season! You may not have the legs but you can always have the kit!!

Perfs Pedal Race 2012

2012-01-31T14:16:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles & London: GB Para-Cycling Squad ready to Perform

2012-01-30T09:05:00.000-08:00

The Great Britain Para-Cycling squad will fly out to Los Angeles this weekend for the World Track Championships. The Championships at the Home Depot Centre Velodrome in Carson are the final chance for the team to score qualification points for the London Paralympic games. Great Britain will also be looking for a repeat of last year’s track worlds in Montichiarri, Italy. The British Para-Cyclists topped the medal table in 2011, winning 9 gold 8 silver and 1 bronze. A mix of road miles and intensive track work, both at Manchester and Newport should see the team in good form.

Tandem pilot Barney Storey will ride with Neil Fachie in the Kilo and the match sprint. A competition that could well see them face Craig Mclean & Anthony Kappes in the final. Storey has been around the block and knows what is required in Los Angeles. "Preparation is going really well, we are starting to produce some really fast times in training and looking to taper off shortly before travelling to L A. It’s all about short high intense efforts over the next couple of days for me, dropping my familiar longer road rides. I’m looking forward to racing now!
"After the champs we really have to wait and see what our chances of selection for the (London Paralympic) Games. Then we will look at building a base of road miles before a similar track training period from July onwards." said Storey

Barney’s wife Sarah has a trophy cabinet bursting with medals but she is focussed and driven and like Barney, is looking forward to the challenges ahead, "So with less than 1 week until we fly to California, the training is a good balance between hard, fast intervals on the track and the speed work needed for the shorter efforts of man 2 in the Team Sprint and the Individual 500m.
I'm really looking forward to racing in LA and trying to defend my World titles in the 500m Time trial and Individual pursuit, plus with the added bonus of the Mixed Team Sprint."
"Once the track worlds are finished I'll be having a short break then straight into the road season. I am just finalising the details for the coming road season, which will give me a fantastic base for the Games in London."

Hard work will produce results but sport at the highest level requires more than just honest labour. Like most professional teams, the GB Para-cycling squad analyse all aspects of their training and racing. English Institute of Sport performance analyst, Kevin Gill, will video all of the squad’s sessions for the coaching team. From his position in the “cheap seats” Gill will have measured every millimetre and angle of the track and can supply instant data to the coaches at track side. “I try not to get too involved with the athletes in order to avoid bias. This hopefully allows me to provide a more neutral viewpoint. Obviously I have my own opinions about a performance; however unless the coach requests my opinion, the aim of my feedback is simply to serve as an objective tool for the coach” Gill says. Performance analysis is applicable to most sports, although currently concentrating on track cycling, Kevin has worked in football and canoe slalom. Data gathered by Gill in Los Angeles will be used to review performance in the days and weeks after the Championships. The London Paralympic games are only a few months away and the Great Britain squad are continually looking to improve.

The 2012 championships have been extended to four days, Thursday to Sunday. The expanded programme will include the Women’s tandem Sprint and mixed & men’s scratch races.

2012 UCI Paracycling Track World Championships
9-12 February 2012
Home Depot Velodrome, Los Angeles
Day 1 - 9 February 2012
Women - B - 3km pursuit, Men - B - 4km pursuit, Women - C1 - 500m TT, Women - C2 - 500m TT, Women - C3 - 500m TT, Women - C4 - 500m TT, Women - C5 - 500m TT.
Day 2 - 10 February 2012
Men - C1 - 3km pursuit, Men - C2 - 3km pursuit, Men - C3 - 3km pursuit, Men - C4 - 4km pursuit, Men - C5 - 4km pursuit, Women - B - 1km TT, Men - B - 1km TT.
Day 3 - 11 February 2012
Women - C1 - 3km pursuit, Women - C2 - 3km pursuit, Women - C3 - 3km pursuit, Women - C4 - 3km pursuit, Women - C5 - 3km pursuit, Men - C1 - 1km TT, Men - C2 - 1km TT, Men - C3 - 1km TT, Men - C4 - 1km TT, Men - C5 - 1km TT.
Day 4 - 12 February 2012
Women - B - Sprints, Men - B - Sprints, Mixed - Team sprint, Women - Mixed - Scratch race, Men - Mixed - Scratch race

Great Britain Team, Los Angeles 2012
Jon-Allan Butterworth (C5) - Kilo, Pursuit
Mark Colbourne (C1) - Kilo, Pursuit
Jody Cundy (C4) - Kilo, Pursuit
Neil Fachie (B/Vi), piloted by Barney Storey - Kilo, Sprint
Anthony Kappes (B/Vi), piloted by Craig McLean - Kilo, Sprint
Darren Kenny (C3) - Kilo, Pursuit
Aileen McGlynn (B/Vi), piloted by Helen Scott - Kilo, Pursuit, Sprint
Shaun McKeon (C3) - Kilo, Pursuit
Sarah Storey (C5) - 500TT, Pursuit
Lora Turnham (B/Vi), piloted by Fiona Duncan - Kilo, Pursuit

Helmet-cam images courtesy of Kevin Gill

Bear Cross "Hardriders" Sunday Ride,

2012-01-29T07:29:00.000-08:00

Nine riders at a cold and misty Bear Cross this morning, the choice of an off-road ride had appealed to a few regulars. The usual route out of Wimborne, the Cowgrove and Langton Long, we could do it with our eyes closed. Climbing through a residential area of Blandford was different as was the lane across to Stourpaine. The A 350 is busy but it was not long before the turn to Child Okeford and on to Shillingstone and Okeford Fitzpaine. We were in the shadow of Bulbarrow Hill, not that there were any shadows today, nor was the summit visible. One of the highest hills in Dorset, there must be 8 or 9 ways up Bulbarrow, which one would we take? Belchalwell, Ibberton and thankfully Wooland were not on todays “parcours”. The road through Hazelbury Bryan and Wonston led us to Stoke Wake; it’s a beast of a climb and the damp, frigid air made it harder. The descent was cold. Winterborne Houghton, Winterborne Stickland, Winterborne Clenston, Winterborne Whitechurch, Winterborne Kingston, Winterborne Muston & Winterborne Tomson took us to Red Post. The road was grippy but a different name was a blessed relief! The usual lanes through West & East Morden promised Lytchett Hill but we turned left at Dullar Lane for a change. The large CTC group were labouring on the long drag up to the A31. We said good morning as we sailed by, they probably thought we were showing off, we probably were. Across the main road to Sturminster Marshall and we were back on the Cowgrove. Wimborne Minster was busy as was the final few miles home. 4 hours 4mins and it was still cold!

Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood Look to the Future

2012-01-27T11:13:00.000-08:00

Press Release

At the recent AGM, the Club’s plans for this Olympic year were agreed. The Club now has 7 qualified coaches and one of our aims is to make the fullest use of that valuable resource for our members.
This year sees the Club make a dramatic step up in race and event organisation through the summer. Top of the “new promotions” list is the weekly Track Cycling League to run over 19 weeks every Tuesday from April at the Bournemouth Cycling Centre.
This will be complemented by Wednesday evening Intermediate Track Sessions at Bournemouth Cycling Centre open to all local accredited riders who are looking for a challenging track session. Each session will be pitched at a level just below full competition, and provide an opportunity for skills and fitness progressive development for all local riders who have already achieved basic track competence.
Thursdays will see the traditional Club 10 mile TTs at Ringwood which have proved so popular over the years.

Finally Friday sees the Club Track night, open to members only, where specific skills and fitness will be developed including Derny sessions for that vital top end work. In a development from its traditional Go Ride Cycling Skills sessions for kids, the first hour of the Club Track Night will be focussed on Junior Development for young riders over the age of 11.

The Arrow’s Club Development Officer Alan McRae says,”This Programme covering 4 activities every week in the summer, 3 of which are open to other cyclists, is a massive undertaking by the Club. We recognise that running the Track League will not be possible without practical assistance of members from other cycling clubs for which we are very grateful. For the rest, it is our own coaches and officials who will make this exciting Programme possible. If there has ever been a time to provide such a boost to our own members and the rest of the local cycling community, then 2012 is surely it.”

Local Riders,Local Races

2012-01-26T13:01:00.000-08:00

Dan Lewis (RAF) won the final round of the Wessex league Cyclo-Cross series at the Thruxton Motor racing circuit.Lewis ended his season strongly, having won the Gloucester City Cross event the week before. New Forest –based Mike Cotty (Wheelbase/Cannondale) has already wrapped up the overall title and opted not to race the last event.

Luke Gray will be riding for Great Britain at this weekends World Cyclo-Cross Championships. Gray, from Broadstone has been selected for the under 23 team along with Kenta Gallagher,Jack Clarkson,& new national U23 champion, Steve James (Hargroves Cycles). Koksidje in Belgium is the venue for this years championships and the deep sand on the circuit will ensure the strongest triumph!

Daniel Lloyd will be back racing in the UK this season after signing a deal with Team I G-Sigma Sport. " I know most of the team, they are all good guys and a bunch of great sponsors to work with too, IG-Sigma will be a great fit for me" tweeted Lloyd. After Garmin-Cervelo decided not to renew Lloyd's contract, the 3 time Grand Tour finisher was facing early retirement.

Former Garmin-Cervelo teammate Roger Hammond is also out of contract and faces an uncertain future.Hammond specialised in Cyclo-Cross, winning the World Junior Title in 1992. After turning professional in 2000 with Collstrop he has enjoyed a successful road career. Twice a British road race champion, two stage wins in the tour of Britain and 2nd at Gent-Wevelgem, Hammond hit the headlines in 2004, finishing 3rd at Paris-Roubaix.

Exert from the first, Friends of Bournemouth Cycling Centre(BCC) Meeting

....."A weekly Track League to be run each Tuesday evening commencing 17th April to end of August and A Saturday kid’s club start date and details to be advised.In addition BCC also plan to extend use of the site to include Cyclocross events which would certainly maximise use during winter months. BCC were keen to advise that no development is possible without volunteers being willing to offer their time and expertise, essential to ensure the day to day operation of the facility. This includes those who can support the administration and control of regular events. Of course nothing at all is possible without promoters, organisations and clubs booking sessions so BCC can get riders on the track and make use of their fantastic facility.
The Centre is one of the few facilities dedicated to cycling in the country and organised by cyclists for cyclists. It is BCCs aim to retain that position. Should you be able to assist please contact info@bournemouth.cc......."

CTT Handbook 2012 is now on sale! Available from CTT HQ. (link at top of page)

Closed Road Sportif on the Isle of Wight!! Is this the future of road racing in the south?

Several riders have had their Boxing Day 10 entries returned in the post marked “Not Known at this Address” It seems, perhaps the postman delivered them to the wrong address. There may well have been more entries gone astray. Only 13 entries had been received by the closing date and the New Forest CC took the decision to cancel this long running festive event! The 2012 Boxing Day event is listed in this years CTT Handbook.

Daniel Lloyd signs for Team I G -Sigma Sport

2012-01-26T04:29:00.000-08:00

Daniel Lloyd will be racing for Team IG- Sigma Sport this year. After 8 years in the profesional peloton Lloyd was staring at retirement after Garmin-Cervelo decided not to renew his contract. The team's race programme has yet to be finalised but expect a mix of big domestic races and some Continental racing. He took some time off the bike while considering his options but is now back training hard and loking forward to the coming season. Hugely experienced, Lloyd has raced in Asia, North America and of course Europe. Twice a finisher in the Giro de Italia,the former mountain biker also finished the 2010 Tour De France. A big fan of the "Cobbled Classics, he has ridden the Tour of Flanders, Gent- Wevelgem and the Amstel Gold Race. Speaking on Twitter he said, "I had a lot of ex-pro's encouraging me not to stop. Lots of hard work ahead now" Formerly Sigma Sport-Specialized, the team will continue to use Specialized frames with Campagnolo components.

Team IG Markets – Sigma Sport (UCI Continental)

Wouter Sybrandy
Tom Murray
Simon Richardson
Tom Last
Steve Lampier

Dan Craven
Daniel Lloyd
Simon Gaywood
Jake Hayles
Andrew Griffiths
Pete Hawkins
Steven Burke

Daniel Lloyd

Jens Voigt, ,Fabian Cancellara, Signed Photos!

2012-01-22T03:26:00.000-08:00

Stuart Grace (G A Cycles) has been in touch and has some nice photo’s for sale and its all in a good cause!
“While he was at the recent www.radioshacknissantrek.com team launch Jens Voigt he signed a number of A4 prints of himself and got team-mates Fabian Cancellara and Andy Schleck to do the same with the prints of themselves.
The photos were taken by Robin Wilmot during the Tour de France this year and the previous one; all proceeds will go to the Piam Brown Oncology Ward at the Southampton Hospital.
Cost is £15 plus £2.99 p&p if anyone is interested before they go on e-bay contact me on the details listed below.”

Many thanks.
Stuart Grace
Home 01425 611606
Mob 07949 356413
stuart_singlespeed@hotmail.co.uk

GLENN LONGLAND: 40 YEARS of RACING

2012-01-22T00:34:00.000-08:00

“I started in Cyclo-Cross on October 7th 1970 and rode my first open event in March 1971”
GLENN LONGLAND
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF RACING 1970-2012
CRABWOOD C.C. 6 YEARS
RADFORDS PROFESSSIONAL 3 YEARS
ANTELOPE RACING TEAM 31 YEARS
PROM0TING 36 YEARS

ANTELOPE RACING TEAM
UNDER C.T.T. RULES
Event Secretary Glenn Longland, 32 Testland Avenue, Nursling, Southampton SO16 0XG

Solo `10` Saturday 3rd March 2012 15.00 Start
2-up `10` Sunday 4thMarch 2012 09.00 Start

Entry Fee per Rider £8
Closing Date 21st February 2012
(NO ENTRIES ON LINE, this is not T.L.I.)
H.Q. KINGS SOMBORNE VILLAGE HALL
Course (P140) A3057-Compton-Romsey-Brook
2012 GLENN LONGLAND T.L.I. PROMOTIONS (Year 37)
SATURDAY 21ST APRIL SANDIE RADFORD MEMORIAL ROAD RACE

SATURDAY 25THAUGUST R.U.K.2-UP CHAMPIONSHIP

SATURDAY/SUNDAY 6TH/7TH OCTOBER DOWNTON 2-DAY CLASSIC

Frames for Sale

2012-01-20T07:49:00.000-08:00

I’ve got about 12 new unused aluminium road bike frames, nothing poncy, just various makes like Raleigh, Coyote, Viking, and sizes, no forks or mech hangers, which aren’t much use to me. They are variously marked from storage but not dented. If interested let us know, I live in Brangore, looking for £20-30 each. If not, no worries I’ll stick them on ebay. I also have a lot of new Team UK Youth drinking bottles (couple of quid donation appreciated), and a few sets of Team UK Youth 2011 team bibshorts, LS and SS tops (these are a bit pricey though) Thanks Louis Home no. 01425 674489 or mobile 07818 403114 Mr.R.L. Bonney, Fundraising / Projects Director, 01425 675101 or 07818 403114

Local Riders,Local Races

2012-01-19T23:51:00.000-08:00

Paralympic Champion Darren Kenny, OBE is in hard training for next month’s world championships. Verwood-based Kenny has just spent two weeks at the Newport Velodrome in Wales ahead of the Championships in Los Angeles, California. A mixture of high intensity speed work and pacing behind a motor bike should see Kenny in top form. At last year’s championships in Italy he won three gold medals and will be looking to defend all his titles in the USA. He will start as favourite in the 1km TT and the 3,000m individual pursuit.

The team sprint however will prove a harder ask. A change in the rules means the GB team cannot pick their strongest three riders. Kenny will line up with world & Paralympic champions Jody Cundy and Sarah Storey.
The three were picked after a series of trials at the Welsh cycling centre, Mark Colbourne and Jon-Allan Butterworth were the other riders in contention.
The London Paralympic games are on the horizon and media interest in the squad is intense. BBC Wales, BBC Sport, The Sunday Times Channel 5, Reuters, The Press Association & Cycling Weekly were all in attendance at the squad’s hotel Also heading to the states will be tandem pilot Barney Storey. Now based at the national cycling centre in Manchester, Storey, from Corfe Mullen remains a member of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers. Storey, along with visually impaired stoker, Neil Fachie will compete in the 1KM time trial and the tandem sprint. It promises to be a busy year for the squad and both Kenny and Storey will hope to be selected for the London Paralympic games in August/September.

Roger Papp, operations manager at BCC tells "E D" about the recent meeting to discuss the future use of the Bournemouth Track:

The first meeting of “Friends of BCC” (Bournemouth Cycling Centre) took place at the Hotel Collingwood in Bournemouth on Monday 16 January 2012.

The first meeting was open to everybody which enabled a broad selection of views on the centre to be received.

BCC were very pleased with the attendance, which included local clubs and riders, in addition to organisations and businesses that have made bookings at the centre since it opened.

A broad and detailed selection of information was provided to the meeting, and it was interesting to note there are already 150 riders registered with BCC who have taken advantage of the 117 sessions arranged so far.

From a financial prospective the centre is meeting their target for year one, which from a standing start has been very encouraging.

Bournemouth Borough Council have agreed a progressive ramp up in charges for ground and site maintenance, payable by April of each year, and while their objective is to be “cost neutral”, this still requires a significant and increasing sum to be paid each year to the council.

BCC is run as a not for profit “Ltd” organisation, and to support their development they presented a comprehensive business plan which includes growth in track usage, through Schools, University and Youth groups.

Sessions already booked for 2012 include:
• A weekly Track League to be run each Tuesday evening commencing 17th April to end of August. This is a British Cycling open series.
• A weekly intermediate training session each Wednesday commencing 18th April. This is for BCC licensed riders, or those who have progressed to stage 2 accreditation or above.
• A Saturday kid’s club. Start date and details to be advised.

In addition BCC also plan to extend use of the site to include Cyclocross events which would certainly maximise use during winter months.

The business plan includes a requirement, if funds permit, for a comprehensive website development to enable organisers and riders to enter and pay for sessions and events in advance.

BCC were keen to advise that no development is possible without volunteers being willing and available to offer their time and expertise in all areas essential to ensure the day to day operation of the facility. This of course includes those who can support the administration and control of regular events, but also professional support in all commercial areas essential to maintain and grow any progressive business.

Of course nothing at all is possible without promoters, organisations and clubs booking sessions so BCC can get riders on the track and make use of their fantastic facility.

The Centre is one of the few facilities dedicated to cycling in the country and organised by cyclists for cyclists. It is BCCs aim to retain that position.

The summary slide of their presentation covered the four key areas.

Track Bookings and enquiries – Roger Papp
Coaching – David Gilham
Track League – Alan McRae
Development Plan roll out – Andrew Mayfield

Should you be able to assist with any of these areas, please contact info@bournemouth.cc

For updates to the above events and other general information, please refer to the BCC website http://www.bournemouth.cc/
(link on right)

Luke Gray (Baboco) returned to his Belgium base after last week’s national championships for a world cup race at Lievin in France. The former national under 23 champion has been working with his new Danish coach and is starting to find some consistency.
Gray was the only U23 GB team rider in a select group of 6 GB riders, with Junior Hugo Robinson also in GB kit. The others where, Gabby Day who stays at the same place as Luke in Oudenaarde, Helen Wyman and Nicky Harris along with Elite Ian Field who also live in the same town. There was no GB back up at this race but Stef Wyman was acting manager. Speaking to “E D” Gray said:

“On race day the weather was a cold 0 degrees with most of the course covered in frost. There were some very short sharp steep climbs and a huge flight of steps to run up. Apart from a couple of places where there was some very draggy slow soft grass bits, it was a very fast race.
On the first lap there was a big coming together of bodies and bikes when a couple of riders failed to ride one of the steep banks. Luckily i managed to ride passed the mayhem of riders fighting to untangle their bikes.
I didn't quite have the power and seemed to be lacking top speed but after the race felt fine. I really enjoyed the slippery course as it tested your skill, with the last few downhill twisty bends being my favourite section.”
Danish U23 Champion Kenneth Hanson, who joined the Baboco team this year, crashed out of the race just in front of Luke. He is also the Danish elite Champ and with no GB pit crew, it was his father who was taking care of Grays pits throughout the race.

Photo's by kind permission of Rob Gray

This weekend is the last round of the Cyclo-Cross World Cup series in Hoogerheide, Holland. Luke will once again be riding for the GB team with a full GB support crew and staff on hand to man the pits.

This Sunday see’s the final round of the Wessex League Cyclo-Cross competion. Held at Thruxton motor circuit, entry is on the line, under 12s start at 10:00 with Senior’s at 12:45

Over 80 riders signed on for the third of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 4 winter reliability trials.The 75 mile route took in some of the biggest hills in Dorset. The 100 mile event on February 12th concludes the series and those who have completed all four rides will receive a specially minted medal.