Report by:Julie Rodman
What a superb turn out for the Out of the Saddle road race today on the small Thurcroft course, this was in memory of Pete Hinchcliffe a local road rider who died suddenly three years ago. The family came out to support the event and award the trophy at the HQ afterwards. A lovely little tribute was said on the line about Pete to the riders by Ian Davenport and the riders responded with applause.
The sun shone and with hardly any wind around it made for a great day of racing.
The small course is deceptively hard with short drags over disused railway bridges and narrow lanes to give the riders some challenges.
Fifty three riders started the race and as the laps progressed no one was allowed to break away just he odd rider clipping off the front at 10 seconds. As the race approached 13 laps to go nearly half way through the event. Four riders managed to break clear as the turned left on the main road and up over the railway bridge, Ben Last Clay Cross RT, Simon Fidler Dave Hinde RT, Harry Shackleton Team Elite and John Rigby. Champion systems. These four managed to work well together to establish a gap of 37 seconds at one point. However there were some big hitters who had missed the break so with eight laps to go these riders were reeled in to the peloton. One consolation was the prime on lap 14 won by Simon Fidler.
The next move from promoting club Out of the Saddle Rt came from the experienced rider Steve Ellis who soon established a gap of eleven seconds from the bunch. This was to stay that way for the next three laps with lone riders trying to bridge the gap. Steve did manage to pick up the last prime of the day with 7 laps to go.
As Steve was brought back in to the field eight other riders made their move including Nathan Wilson, who had won the first prime of the day after lap 7. One notable rider in the break was the Dutch entrant on the line Coen Rijpma, who was cheered on by his helpers Tim Rawson and his dad complete with supporting flag.
This was to be part of the winning move the only other minor problem was a crash involving two riders and a fair few caught up in it on the decent at the back of the course, despite off road riding Andy Richardson VS Cycles and Josh Cole Bike Box Alan came off worse, we wish them a speedy recovery.
The sprint to the line was a dual between Callum Ferguson, Halesowen ACC and Coen Rijpma Hanzerenners RT. with Callum taking the win by a bike length and also the junior prize as well.
Taking the sprint for third place was Nathan Wilson, Wilson’s Wheels from Nick Jepson, Beeston RC.
It was a wonderfully marshalled event, excellently controlled by two superb NEG out riders riders and quick result at the finish due to Ian Davenport and his team. Excellent promotion by the relatively new but growing club Out Of The Saddle CC, a credit to all their team of helpers.
The prizes were presented by the teams founder Russell Downing and Pete Hinchcliffe’s family at the headquarters. A wonderfully days racing in tribute to a wonderful rider, the club did his family proud.
Results
1. Callum Ferguson. Halesowen ACC (Junior)
2. Coen Rijpma Hanzerenners RT
3. Nathan Wilson. Wilson Whs
4. Nick Jepson. Beeston RC
5. Tony Workman. Lancs RC
6. Andy Eagers. Derby Mercury CC
7. Phil Giles. Beeston RC
8. Michael Harrison 4 Star Racing
9. Chris Last. Clay Cross RT
10. Chris Thompson. VS Cycles
11. Andy Orrell Turner. VS Cycles
12. Giles Pidcock. Chevin Cycles
13. Simon Fidler. Dave Hinde RT
14. Alex Dalton. Squadra RT
15. Steve Ellis. Out of the Saddle RT
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Craig Zadoroznyj Photography 