Sotonia Winchester Crit Races report, 20 July
Phew! Well, with 140 riders taking part including 44 juniors aged 8 and up, I think we can safely say that Sotonia's first crit race event at the great little Winchester Park & Ride circuit was a MASSIVE success! Huge thanks go to Penny Cossburn and Phil Connell who kept the constant flow of competitors rolling and to the commissaries Mick Metcalf, Simon Hall and Andy Corkill doing stirling work to process results quickly - a hard but rewarding days work by everyone involved.
It was a hot and sweltering day in Winchester with another big Sotonia turnout of seven riders in the 4th cat race. From what I could see of the action from the sign on, Phil Wilks went straight to the front with Jon Wren and pulled the lead group clear - a sign of things to come as Phil was clearly enjoying himself and seemed to drive the pace for much of the race. The final lap saw the second group get lapped on the finish line to give the judges a headache. But when the dust settled, Dan Edwards emerged with second place and Phil was rewarded for his hard work with 3rd place. Provisional results have Ben Scott-Munden a very smart 4th after some astute tactical riding by the youngster, Paul Ransom 13th, Dave Deady 15th and Ed Wu 17th. Jon Wren after a strong start was forced to retire, still feeling his injuries from the last race.
The third cat race had an even bigger field of 33 and included newly promoted James Peckham. James followed Phil's lead by driving the early action from the front. After several laps, James found himself gapped from the lead group of 11 and a second chase group of five was formed. James continued to do the lions share of the work to bridge the gap and his gutsy riding was rewarded when he made contact again with 3 laps to go. Inevitably, the pace rocketed with 2 laps to go and Andy Picket of VC Venta took a flyer, holding off the bunch to take the win. James rolled in around 13th place - a fine result for his first 3rd cat race.
The womens race, had an impressive turnout of 14 riders and was won by Megan Chard, with Ruby Chappell second and Sophie Jo Wylie-Morris in third.
The main event of the E/1/2/3 was a fast but cagey affair with club member, Brook Elgie, riding for Hansfords, animating the bunch in the early stages with some strong riding. A few late break attempts were made but it came down to the final lap with the victory going to Matt Clark of London Dynamo, Brook finishing a creditable 11th in a top quality field.
Next up is the VC Venta road race next Sunday (27th) for Tim Dawkins, James Peckham and Jez Hart. Onwards and upwards Sotonia - this club is going places!
Full results: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/106688/Sotonia-Criterium#results
Graham Robins' awesome race pics can be found here
Results - Sotonia Summer Road Race, 6 July
Full Results
[table]
Pos,Name,Club
1,Steven Roach,BC Private Member
2,Edward Sutton,Wightlink LCM Systems Cycle RT
3,Rowan Horner,VC St Raphael
4,Adam Capes,Finchley Racing Team
5,Ben Carty,Felt-Colbornes-Hargroves RT
6,James Davey,Mid Devon CC
7,James Ellmore,Mid Shropshire Wheelers
8,Cameron Austin,Look Mum No Hands!
9 ,Nigel Williams,Python Racing Team
10 ,Toby Parnell,Cambridge CC
11 ,Robert Ward,Felt-Colbornes-Hargroves RT
12 ,Andy Brown,Glasgow Cycle Team
13 ,Kris Jasper,Falco Racing
14 ,Hugh Knudsen,Team Tor 2000
15 ,James Archibald,G.S. Henley
16 ,Ewan Tuohy,Catford CC Equipe/Banks
17 ,Gavin Francis,London Dynamo
18 ,Charlie Leech,Southampton University RC
19 ,Nick Spencer-Vellacott,CC London
20 ,Hugo Crabb,Tri UK
21 ,Simon Ker,Bath Cycling Club
22 ,Brook Elgie,Peter Hansford Racing
23 ,Chris Hutchings,Velo Club Venta
24 ,Carl Silver,Bournemouth Jubilee Whls
25 ,James Peckham,Sotonia CC
26 ,Grant Smith,Crest Cycling Club
27 ,Douglas Tandy,Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club
28,James Leach,Imperial Racing Team
29,Chris Courage,Bournemouth Jubilee Whls
30,Thomas Key,Southampton University RC
31,Mark Valentine,Poole Wheelers CC
32,Henry Nelson,Southampton University RC
33,Ian Hayden @ 1 lap, Wightlink LCM Systems Cycle RT
34,Tim Butt @ 1 lap,Banbury Star CC
35,Timothy Dawkins @ 1 lap,Sotonia CC
36,Scott Michaels @ 1 lap,Southampton University RC
37,Paul Ransom @ 1 lap,Sotonia CC
38,Javier Arias Gonzalez @ 1 lap,Kingston Wheelers CC
[/table]
Behind The Bikeshed Summer Series 5 - Thruxton, 1 July
Another cracking summer evening down at Thruxton, with Will Weynberg again flying the flag for Sotonia that saw the 3/4 race set off at quite a steady pace unlike previous races, but things soon speeded up a few laps in. There were a handful of attacks from the bunch but none of these held much promise and all were reeled in within a few minutes.
It was the final lap before the decisive moves were made - up the penultimate climb there was a dangerous looking escape that Will was able to counter before sitting on and being reeled back, only for a trio to counter over the top and gain a 10 second advantage that they held on to all the way into the final hill ascent. It was at this point that another stinging attack was launched by William Harper of Dulwich Paragon which Will was again able to counter and hold onto all the way into the sprint. Coming into the final straight there were about five riders with a small gap over the field and Will managed to sprint into second place behind the winner, Daniel Mcquillan of Tri UK.
This result boosted Will's already increasing lead in the series overall rankings. Will who started the year as a new fourth cat rider, is now heading impressively towards second cat status in current form - chapeau!
Next up, the focus turns to this Sunday and the Sotonia Road Race at Owslebury which will no doubt provide a worthy test for the seven Sotonia riders scheduled to ride it - good luck to all!
Thruxton results here
Sotonia Family Fun Ride, 29 June 2014
Fine weather today and a fine turnout for the latest Sotonia Family Fun ride. 18 riders in total with 10 kids and some impressive riding by the youngsters - some of whom had bearly been on a bike until recently. Certificates of achievement were duly awarded by Phil to the proud (and somewhat ice cream wearing) winners Libby, George and Finley!
The next family ride is early August so watch this space!
Velo Club Venta Summer Crit 1, 29 June
Another race another Sotonia win - saying that is never going to get boring! Congratulations to Tim Dawkins who won the 4th cat race today at Winchester and 3rd cat promotion - lapping most of the field on his way to an impressive win.
Tim soon got away and the only rider to get close to him was Oliver Leach (UCLU CC) who was at one point 22 seconds behind with a further eight riders 10 seconds behind him. James Peckham bagged another podium spot in third, Ben Scott-Munden 8th and Paul Ransom in his second race finishing around 20th in the bunch.
Great work guys!
Graham Robins' report: here
Behind The Bikeshed Summer Series 5 - Thruxton, 24 June
It was yet another sunny evening at Thruxton for the fifth round of the Behind The Bikeshed Summer Series. This week saw a diminished number of Sotonia riders in the 3/4 cat race, just Will Weynberg in fact, but still a healthy field of 65 riders lining up for the nine lap race.
The race got off to a furious first three laps with attack after attack trying to slip away from the field. Will tried his hand to get away in an early break but the wind and the large field size made this near on impossible especially when everyone had fresh legs.
Throughout the race there were attacks from ones and twos but with limited success. Nobody gained any great margin and it looked increasingly likely that the race was going to end in a sprint finish.
In the final lap Will moved himself up into the top 15 riders and advanced even further up the field up the final hill and coming out of the final chicane was in a perfect position to launch a strong sprint. He came past the five riders ahead of him and surged for the line to take the victory by over a bike length.
That's two race wins and three top fives for Will this year already who is flying right now! Hopefully we will get some similar results at the Winchester Park & Ride on Sunday, and a few more in the team for Thruxton next week.
Sotonia Summer Road Race Start list, July 6 2014
[table]
Name,Club / Team,Cat
Javier Arias Gonzalez,Kingston Whls CC,3rd
Cameron Austin ,Look Mum No Hands!,3rd
Sam Baker,Wightlink LCM Systems Cycle RT,3rd
Ruan Bester,Bath Cycling Club,3rd
Ben Bradley,Southdown Velo,3rd
Andy Brown,Glasgow Cycle Team,2nd - Junior
Adam Capes,Finchley Racing Team,2nd
Ben Carty,Felt-Colbornes-Hargroves RT,2nd
James Cooper,Rock N Road Cycles,2nd
Chris Courage,Bournemouth Jubilee Whls,3rd
Hugo Crabb,Tri UK,3rd
Timothy Dawkins,Sotonia CC,4th
Brendan Drewett,Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club,2nd - Junior
Daniel Edwards,Sotonia CC,4th
Brook Elgie,Peter Hansford Racing,2nd
James Ellmore,Mid Shropshire Wheelers,2nd - Junior
Gavin Francis,London Dynamo,3rd
Thomas Goodyer,Portsmouth North End CC,3rd
Thomas Grigson,Bynea CC,2nd
Ian Hayden,Wightlink LCM Systems Cycle RT,4th
Rowan Horner,VC St Raphael,2nd
Chris Hutchings,Velo Club Venta,3rd
Simon Ker,Bath Cycling Club,3rd
Thomas Key,Peter Hansford Racing,2nd
Frank Kilsby,VC St Raphael,2nd
George Kirkin,Imperial Racing Team,3rd
Hugh Knudsen,Team Tor 2000,2nd
James Leach,Imperial Racing Team,3rd
James Local,London Dynamo,2nd
Ben Macland,VC Meudon,2nd
Mo Mansoori,Twickenham CC,3rd
Scott Michaels,Southampton University RC,4th
Christopher Morrison,Cadence Cycling Performance,2nd
Henry Nelson,Southampton University RC,4th
Toby Parnell,Cambridge CC,2nd
James Peckham,Sotonia CC,4th
Paul Ransom,Sotonia CC,4th - Junior
Harry Ribbons,VC Meudon,2nd
Bob Richardson,Bournemouth Jubilee Whls,3rd
Steven Roach,,2nd
Edward Rowe,Sotonia CC,4th - Junior
Martin Sanders,Wightlink LCM Systems Cycle RT,4th
Gary Sheppard,Bath Cycling Club,2nd
Carl Silver,Bournemouth Jubilee Whls,3rd
Shaun Smart,Southdown Velo,3rd
Grant Smith,Crest Cycling Club,3rd
Trevor Smith,Cotswold Veldrijden,3rd
Edward Sutton,Wightlink LCM Systems Cycle RT,3rd - Junior
Douglas Tandy,Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club,3rd - Junior
Benjamin Timberlake,Bournemouth Arrow CC,4th
Tony Toynton,Southdown Velo,4th
Ewan Tuohy,Catford CC Equipe/Banks,3rd
Mark Valentine,Poole Whls CC,3rd
Robert Ward,Felt-Colbornes-Hargroves RT,2nd
Tim Warner,Blazing Saddles Cycles,3rd
Tim Wiggins,Team Wiggle,2nd
Jonathan Wren,Sotonia CC,4th
James Davey,Mid Devon CC,2nd
James Archibald,G.S. Henley,3rd
Tom Burnley,Thames Velo,3rd
Kris Jasper,Falco Racing,2nd
Charlie Leech,Southampton University RC,2nd
[/table]
Newbury Summer CX race, 19 June 2014
First impressions were that warm, sunny evening weather felt very odd in contrast to the last cross race six whole months ago. A field of 58 lined up for round 3 of this summer series, including four Sotonia riders dusting off the team bus and their cross bikes: Phil Wilks (who finished a fine 11th place last week), Phil Connell, Jon Dudley and Jez Hart, with a updated course from last week that was still pretty brutal. Using most of Goldwell park in Newbury, the fast course snaked its way round the lower grass sections before climbing the hill into a wooded section, then an all too brief, descent full of fast corners and the occasional molehill.
As the dust settled on the usual mental first lap, Jez found himself in 10th position, closely followed by Phil Wilks and Phil Connell. after a couple more frenetic laps, the gap between them seemed to be stretching before Phil C fell off the pace after a spill. Several groups formed and it was a good idea to keep in touch with riders ahead as there was always one behind trying to bridge across. Jez managed to swap positions a few times with his group and eventually finished in 15th place. Phil W next across the line in 20th, followed by Phil C (25th) with Jon, regretting his earlier weights session at the gym in 46th!
UK champ, Steve James of Hargroves Cycles, rocked up at the back of the grid on his mountain bike just before the start and swiftly tore through the field to win.
This is a great event by Banjo Cycles - looking forward to next week!
Pics courtesy of Kinesis.t2
Super cool F1 style live tracker and results here:
http://www.newburysummercx.org.uk/2014/2014-06-19-BanjoCycles_Summe...
There's even a race video! http://vimeo.com/98710069
More pics: http://photocart.sports-alive.com/index.php?do=photocart&viewGa...
Omega Circuit Crit, Winchester, 15 June
In a field of 26 starters including six Sotonia riders, the 4th cat race saw a fast start on the Park & Ride circuit, with Andrew Pickett and Paul Double of VC Venta going up the road straight away. After three laps the bunch split up and a small chasing group was established, including James Peckham and Tim Dawkins - animating the chase for Sotonia and four other riders. They pulled back Paul Double and shortly after, Tim put in a big attack. He was away for a long time, then as he was pulled back, James played the perfect 1-2 and attacked himself. James was then caught just before the half hour mark.
With three laps to go, instead of waiting for the sprint, James launched another attack, taking second before Tim won the bunch kick for third place. The two other groups behind that contained Ben Scott-Munden (9th), Jonathan Wren (11th), Jez Hart (14th) and Ben Hames in his first ever race (18th).
It was really good to see so many Sotonia racers again. Bring on the next one!
Some great pics by Graham Robins: https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/99077595@N00/sets/72157644777264308/
4th Cat Results
[table]
Pos,Name,Club,Points
1,Andrew Pickett ,Velo Club Venta ,10
2,James Peckham ,Sotonia CC ,8
3,Timothy Dawkins ,Sotonia CC ,7
4,Christian Hatton ,VC St Raphael ,6
5,Ian Hayden ,Wightlink LCM Systems Cycle RT ,5
6,Darren Orchard ,Portsmouth North End CC ,4
7,Paul Double ,Velo Club Venta ,3
8,Steven Williams ,Army Cycling Union ,0
9,Ben Scott-Munden ,Sotonia CC ,1
10,Michael Gallagher ,Uni of Bristol Cycling Club ,1
11,Jonathan Wren ,Sotonia CC ,0
12,Andrew Banks ,Salisbury Road and Mountain CC ,0
13,David Scott ,Behind The Bikeshed ,0
14,Jez Hart ,Sotonia CC ,0
15,Phil Butchers ,New Forest CC ,0
16,Graham Lenton ,New Forest CC ,0
17,Julian Sheppard ,New Forest CC ,0
18,Benjamin Hames ,Sotonia CC ,0
19,Ben Baxter ,VCGH ,0
[/table]
Results – Club 10 Mile TT on P140, 12 June 2014
[table]
Position,Rider,Club,Cat,Time
1,Andy Bryson,Peter Hansford,,23.10
2,Gawain Young,Sotonia CC,Vet,23.30
3,Adrian Jenkins,GA Cycles,Vet,23.48
4,Andy Pickett,VC Venta,Junior,23.48
5,Phil Connell,Sotonia CC,Vet,23.53
6,Jahan Hunter,Sotonia CC,,24.02
7,Paul Double,VC Venta,Junior,24.12
8,Matt MacDonald,Hargroves,,24.15
9,James Peckham,Sotonia CC,,24.32
10,Jamie Franklin,VC Venta,,24.53
11,Jon Legg,Sotonia CC,,24.56
12,Jonathan Eggett,C&T,Vet,25.50
13,Angela Burnikell,Sotonia CC,Lady Vet,25.52
14,Nick Wisby/Jon Radford,Sotonia CC,Vet,25.53
15,Simon Greenway,Sotonia CC,Vet,26.11
16,Rob Tomlinson,Sotonia CC,Vet,26.16
17,Ian Boshier,Southampton Tri,Vet,26.17
18,Ed Rowe,Sotonia CC,Junior,26.52
19,Jez Hart,Sotonia CC,Vet,26.54
20,Richard Burch,Sotonia CC,Vet,27.16
21,Tim Banks,C&T,,27.47
22,Paul Ransom,Sotonia CC,Junior,28.19
23,Ian MacDonald,Hargroves,Vet,28.23
24,Andrew MacDonald,GA Cycles,Vet,29.01
25,Greg Vint,Sotonia CC,Vet,29.35
26,Neil Catchlove,C&T,,29.46
27,Sandy Bell,Sotonia CC,Lady,29.47
28,Julian Gee,Sotonia CC,Vet,30.03
29,Martin Napier,Sotonia CC,Vet,30.31
30,Brian Grierson,Sotonia CC,Vet,33.36
[/table]
Event pics can be viewed here