British Cycling

SERRL Benenden 23rd March 2/3/4/J/W

The second event of the year for the SERRL was held on the Benenden / Sandhurst over 6 laps, a total distance of 102km. The race set off at a fast pace on the first descent of the course. At the first flick of a hill however, it was Baker - Arctic Shorter Rochford RT who opened the first attack with a half lap lone break.

Eventually pulled in on the drag to Rolvenden the race settled down until the same flick on the second lap, when a second break of three riders formed, Hill - Arctic RT, Lynch - Gemini and Fawcett - London Phoenix. The three were eventually joined on the third lap by two more riders and despite both Gemini and De Laune being present the chasing bunch eventually pulled back the breakaway which only gained a 50 second lead due to the stiff headwind on the long open section of the course leading to the A28.

However, it was not over yet as again another attack occurred on the flick, again producing a three man break and again including Hill joined this time by Lucas - Sydenham Wheelers and Newnham - Halfords Bikehut.

This final break of the day grew over the penultimate lap to 9 riders. However, with no De Laune or Gemini riders present it was chased down entering the final lap. The front of the field now contained approximately twenty riders, but all were saving energy for the final run in to Benenden. It was Jez Towner - Kingsnorth International Wheelers, who stirred things up on the last drag to Rolvenden, but the group in a long string stayed together untill Pearson - Gemini made a break for the line to take a lone victory.

Behind, after much jockeying for positions, it was Ian Field - San Fairy Ann, who attempted a long 600 metre assault for the line only to die in last 100 metres being swamped by the bunch. James Lett - De Laune took the sprint for second place with Mark Winton - LWCC taking third.

Benenden SERRL 23rd March 03

 1. Pearson Neil      Gemini B. C.
 2. Lett James        De Laune C. C.
 3. WINTON Mark       LWCC
 4. Lynch Jeff        Gemini B. C.
 5. NEWNHAM John      Halfords Bikehut
 6. Hollosi Chaz      Gemini B. C.
 7. STODDART Alistair Interbike R. T.
 8. Banfield Garry    San Fairy Ann C. C.
 9. Field Ian         San Fairy Ann C. C.
10. Lucas Matthew     Sydenham Wheelers
11. Hill Mark         Arctic-Shorter Rochford R T
12. Welsh Nick        G.S. Invicta
13. Porter Craig      De Laune C. C.
14. Craig Mike        V. C. de Londres
15. Simmonds Mark     Gravesend C. C.

March 2003 Racing Results