Cycling
THE first massed start cycling races in County Durham to be controlled by marshals without road closures have been hailed a success.
The event, organised by Teesdale CRC, took place on a 5.25 mile circuit starting and finishing at the Marwood Social Centre, Kininvie.
Some 20 cyclists took part in the women’s race and 64 competed for the men’s title.
While this kind of event has been held elsewhere in the country, it was a first for the county.
Teesdale CRC’s Andy Cosgrove, regional events officer for British Cycling, said: “It went really well. There were no issues and Durham Police seemed very happy, although we need to have an indepth discussion with them.
“All the riders and officials loved it, thought the course was great and commented on how safe it was.”
Mr Cosgrove said all involved were hoping that this becomes a permanent event on the Teesdale CRC road race calendar.
In the women’s five-lap race, competitors soon split, with the leading ten riders pulling away up the first climb.
This lead group was gradually reduced to five riders over the next four laps, with the series of summits up the Moor Road to Kinninvie proving particularly hard into a rising headwind.
Junior rider Alana Prior, from Darlington, won a five rider sprint up the rise passed the finish line.
Second was Mary Wilkinson, from Skipton, who rides for the leading Yorkshire women’s team.
In third place was Amy Graham, from Nottingham, although she competes for the leading North East women’s team.
The 64 riders in the men’s race then rolled out and despite numerous attacks and small breakaway groups forming during the eight lap race, none was able to make their advantage stick.
The continuous attacks and fast pace reduced the 64 to 47 riders battling for position up the Moor Road on the last lap, knowing they had to be at the front coming around the final left hand corner at Kinninvie.
There was a full-on bunch sprint at more than 40mph, which saw Ross Walton win by two bike lengths from Andy Auld and Damon Divine, who were separated by a tyre’s width after several reviews of the finish line cameras.
Leading junior rider James Morris came a creditable fourth.
“The accredited marshals all acquitted themselves very well, and learnt a lot from the two races. All are looking forward to more events,” added Mr Cosgrove.
“Teesdale CRC again showed that even though we are a small local club, we can organise excellent events to be proud of.”
The club thanked Peter Stubbs and Marwood Social Centre for all of their support and help.
ON Sunday, four club members travelled to Bishopton to compete in Adept Cycling’s 23 mile TT on a sporting course.
In warm but good conditions, Russ Richardson recorded an impressive 56.16mins for eighth position overall and first V60.
Other times were Dan Small 57.09, Louise Hamilton 1.05.27 and Amanda Waller 1.15.00, still feeling the effects of last weekends 50 mile Lakeland run.
Bob Murdoch travelled to Thorneyford Farm, in Northumberland, to compete in a summer cyclocross event. The course was dry and bumpy making it tough on the arms as well as the legs. Bob finished 16th overall and first V60. The regular CXNE winter league starts in September and runs until January.
If anybody would like more information about cyclocross contact Bob.
