San Fairy Ann Criteriums #1
Saturday 21st February, Eastway Cycle Circuit, London

PHOTO GALLERY

It was a mixed day of action in the first in the series of criteriums promoted by the San Fairy Ann Cycle club. In the Category 3/4/Women/Junior event it was a splendid win for the manager of Eastway James Cocker (pictured right) but then there was a somber end to the days racing when a crash with around 10 laps to go in the Elite event, meant the race had to be stopped as they waited in the freezing conditions for an amubulance to arrive to take the injuried rider to hosiptal after he hit his face on the ground, suffering from short term memory loss.

Thanks to John at www.LondonCycleSport.com for results. To learn more about Eastway and other London races, see the LondonCycleSport website.

CATEGORY 3/4/WOMEN/JUNIORS
Attacking a long way from home, Eastway Cycle Circuit manager James Cocker was very pleased afterwards saying it was quite windy on the circuit and tough at the back where they had a headwind as the descended the hill along the canal.

"I was feeling strong all the way through, and when they sprinted for the prime, I was just sitting there, waiting and went on that lap because I knew they would all be knackered. I don't think anyone saw me go and I settled in pretty quick."

Asked how came to have such good form because riding away from a 3/4 field as large as that does take a bit of doing, he replied "I have been doing a bit around here (Eastway) and riding cyclo cross just for training to keep my top end going". His aim is now to go for his first category licence this eason.

Left: GB Rider Vicki Pincombe. Another top ride came from bronze medallist in last years British Womens Road Race championship, Vicki Pincombe. Riding in the race with her partner as she had the week before at Hillingdon, Vicki finished well up in the race and was always visible near the front and when it split, she had plenty in reserve to go with it.

"I'm happier when I'm on the front" said the rider who will be leaving the UK on the 7th of March and after a couple of warmup races, will be racing the Womens Classic Primera Rosa on the same roads as Milan San Remo with all the atmosphere of that event which will follow the womens event on the same day.

"With 1 lap to go and I saw the group had split, and I did do quite a bit on the front coming around and I was pleased with that."

Vicki did though admit she needs more group racing as having just come to the sport from Duathlon, riding in groups of 60 riders plus isn't something she is that used to. "The first few laps we did round here, I wanted to give up but then once you get into, it isn't too bad.""

Asked how her start with the Great Britain team is going, she said, "I am certainly able to get a lot more advice from people. Going away with the girls before Christmas helped me a lot and I knew what my goals are. I know what I have got to do and I think I'm going pretty well at the moment." Good luck to Vicki in Italy in March.

 1. James Cocker       Finsbury Park CC
 2. Giles Wingate      Principia RT
 3. Ryan Smith         Dataphonics
 4. Carl McDonagh      Brixton Cycles
 5. Keith Brown        Southborough
 6. Neil Muir          Victoria CC
 7. Alex Atkins        Evans Cycles
 8. Vicki Pincombe     Team Milton Keynes
 9. Pat Hayes          PCA Orbea
10. George Olive       North Road

Prime 1: James Cocker
Prime 2: Neil Muir 

ELITE/1/2/3
The race which was abandoned with still around 10 laps to go, was dominated by Paul Mill (Edwards) and Gary Baker (AngliaSport/Condor). At the start, an early break was the basis for a much larger group to form as riders came across one by one and the peloton split behind. But it wasn't long before the leaders were down to just two, Paul Mill -- who was looking very strong and agressive -- and Gary Baker.

Before the race, Gary confessed to not having done much during the winter except gym work but his form seemed pretty good as both him and Mill continued to put time into the chasers lap by lap.

Behind in the small chase group, young Mike Merralls (AngliaSport) was also doing a lot of attacking and twice went away alone to try and join his team captain.

Each time he was brought back by the chasers and then word came back to the start that a rider had fallen at the hairpin at the end of the front straight and could not be moved. So out came the black flag and the race was stopped and eventually abandoned with the win awarded to Paul Mill from Gary Baker.

 1. Paul Mill             Edwardss 1.36.02.0
 2. Gary Baker            AngliaSport/Condor  st
 3. Sean Gallagher        Tri & Run @ 40 secs
 4. Mike Merralls         Anglia Sport "
 5. Rob Wright            Shaftesbury CC "
 6. Stephen Skuse         Kingsnorth RT "
 7. Bill Butterworth      Twickenham CC "
 8. Adrian Ealles         San Fairy Ann CC @ 1 lap
 9. Ben Powell            VC Deal "
10. Aaron McCaffrey       Alpha RC "
11. Chris McMamara        Team Synergy
12. Paul Foreman          Alpha RC 

YOUTH

Under 16s
1 Andrew Griffiths Lee Valley Youth CC 26.34.9
2 Alex Wise Weland Valley CC Under 27.15.7
3 Owen Davies Team Keyne Trek 27.15.9
4 Luke Marlow Weland Valley CC 27.17.7

Under 14s
1. Alex Aldham Breary   Ciclos Uno/PCA
2. Mark Rossi           Lea Valley Youth CC
3. Joe Perrett          Lea Valley Youth CC
4. Dominic Schills      Interbike RT
5. John Price           Lea Valley Youth CC
6. Joe Nash             Lea Valley Youth CC

Under 12s
 1. Dan Layton         Team Darenth 17.07.3
 2. Oliver Rossi       Lea Valley Youth CC 17.08.2
 3. Daniel Jackson     Lea Valley Youth CC 17.44.3
 4. Dale Jackson       Lea Valley Youth CC 18.12.4
 5. Austin Laing       Team Darenth 20.22.6
 6. Josh Parkin        Victoria CC 20.29.8
 7. Tommy Parker       Lea Valley Youth CC 21.12.3
 8. Sean Dunlea        Lea Valley Youth CC 23.14.7
 9. Liam Layton        Team Darenth 23.14.8
10 Joe Right                        23.14.9