Roach takes Sotonia Summer Road Race, 6th July
Graham Robins reports: Steven Roach was first to initiate the decisive move of the day and he finished it off after seven and a half laps of the un-relenting Owslebury course.
The 60 mile course was based on the village of Owslebury near to Winchester. The morning started under a cloud cover but the sun soon came out and the temperature began to climb making the race just that little more difficult.
Once the race had completed most of the first lap Toby Parnell (Cambridge CC) eased away from the bunch and soon he had a 20secs lead but the bunch weren’t having any of it and he was pegged back. There had been a crash on the opening lap bringing down three riders and this must have produced the disruption in the race in the early exchanges.
The next significant move of the race saw Simon Ker (Bath CC) attack the bunch and soon he was well clear and building himself a big lead of over a minute, but there were two chasers and they were soon to get across the gap to make this a three man leading group.
At the start of the fourth lap we had three leaders with a gap of 39secs, they were Simon Ker, Rowan Horner (VC St Raphael) and Steven Roach and these three leaders were working hard together and soon the time back to the bunch went up to one minute.
The three leaders held their time gap as they rode through the finish line at the bell but now they have been joined by Edward Sutton (Wightlink LCM Systems) who had ridden off the front of the bunch to catch the leaders. These four continued round the last lap until Simon had run his race and soon he was collected by the bunch.
Steven Roach had time to sit up and enjoy his win although Edward was right on his wheel, but just not close enough and Rowan was there to take third. The bunch had thought they had caught all the chasers and once the leaders had crossed the line the remainder of the bunch opened out a sprint thinking they were leading, but to no avail.
Provisional Result
1 Steven Roach BCPM2hrs 37mins 28secs
2 Edward Sutton Wightlink LCM Systems @ST
3 Rowan Horner VC St Raphael @2secs
4 Adam Capes Finchley RT @14secs
5 Ben Carty Felt Colbornes Hargroves RT @22secs
6 James Davey Mid Devon CC @ST
7 James Ellmore Mid Shropshire Wheelers @ST
8 Cameron Austin Look Mum No Hands @24secs
9 Nigel Williams Python Racing Team @ST
10 Toby Parnell Cambridge CC @26secs
Race video highlights here
Blazing Saddles's Ford takes Sotonia Open 10
Michael Ford of Blazing Saddles Cycles was a clear winner in the Sotonia 10 on the P140 course, taking in the Stockbridge to Romsey road.
Ford posted one of the fastest ever times on the course, his 21-56 seeing him finish well clear of Simon Berogna (VC St. Raphael) in 22.25 and Simon Healey of Andover Wheelers who finished third in 22.49. Sotonia's own Angela Burnikell was fastest of the lady riders in a fine 25.50.
Conditions were dry and warm but breezy with riders getting little help on the return leg after a push out to the Romsey turn, making Ford's winning time all the more creditable.
Event pics courtesy of Nigel Aiken can be found here.
Connell freewheeling king!
Phil Connell emerged as a top freewheeler in the club's freewheeling competition held on Tuesday June 3rd.
Just 6 hardy competitors, assisted by holder up Julian Wherrett, turned out on a wet and unseasonally cool evening to contest the fun event on the decline from Winterslow to West Tytherley.
After a tight contest Connell came through to win by a few yards. Afterwards the competitors retired to the handily placed Black Horse pub, where a fire was burning, to discuss the event over a drink (or two!).
National Champion entertains at Annual Dinner
The club held its Annual Dinner and Prize Presentation last weekend at Ampfield Golf Club near Romsey. Guest of honour for the evening was former National 12 hour and 24 hour time trial champion Eamonn Deane from Bournemouth.
Before presenting the prizes to the club’s trophy winners, Eamonn gave an entertaining speech covering some of his exploits on the bike and as an international triathlete. He got his audience involved in his speech through plenty of interaction in the manner of the popular comedian, Al Murray, the pub landlord!
Amongst the big prize winners of the evening were Stuart Martingale from Nursling who was crowned club champion again, and Colin Yeates who was champion at 10 miles as well as producing the best 12 hour ride of the year. Jon Dudley won the season long points competition for men and Wendy Knowlton won the ladies award in the same competition.
Following a vote of members at the club’s annual general meeting Jez Hart collected the trophy for Clubperson of the Year, acknowledging his efforts in producing this great new website and in organising road racing for the club.
The club now starts the forthcoming cycling season in very good shape with 250 members in membership but is also welcoming new riders, especially on their Sunday club runs from North Baddesley.
