Bromsgrove Olympic CC Junior Road Race

 

Sunday 9th April 2006; Bromsgrove Olympic CC; Alcester
Reynolds/ Michelin Junior Road Race Series;

report and photos by Richard Robotham for British Cycling

PhotoGallery: >>>> Go There | Photo Gallery 2

 

Steven Burke Triumphs in Wintery Conditions

 

 

Above: Steven Burke beats his teammate Mark McNally to the line to win round 2 of the Renolds/Michelin Junior Road Race series. PhotoGallery: >>>> Go There

On a short, technical and undulating course that wasn't expected to pose any problems for the Junior Riders, the second round of the National Series for Under 19's was run over five laps of a 14km circuit. At the start, the cold but sunny spring morning held the promise of a good days racing with a quality field of Juniors ready to race. The conditions to come though could not have been predicted and during the kilometre neutralisation, just as the red and white flag dropped to signal race on, the heavens opened as the riders made their way up the first climb of the day. The riders were bombarded with hail, sleet and snow as they battled not just each other but the elements as well.

At the end of the first lap, a break of four riders had a small lead of less than 30 seconds, but the prevailing conditions were a factor in Olympic Development rider Alex Dowsett (Glendene CC/Bike Trax) crashing. As the wintery conditions continued for another lap, a break of eleven riders formed and managed to build a significant gap of over the main peloton. The break of 11 consisted of three Le Coq Sportif Riders, two from Merlin Development, two Kinesis UK riders and individuals from Glendene CC/Bike Trax, Newcastle RC, Crawley CC and www.agiskover.com. The commissaires later commented on how well this group of riders worked together with each of them taking equal turns at the front to maintain the fast pace and helping to increase their lead over the peloton.

 

 

Above: It may be spring but there were plenty of April showers in the West Midlands to test the mettle of the Junior riders. 

Despite the blue skies returning, the leaders gap increased appreciably each lap, rising to well over four minutes at the start of the last lap. This was regardless of the continuous efforts made by the members of Glendene CC/Bike Trax whose hard work at the front of the peloton came to nothing and it was a the leading group of 11 that sprinted it out up the slight uphill finishing straight. After being beaten on the second stage of the Junior National Series Stage race last weekend in Wales, Le Coq Sportif?s Steven Burke made no mistake this time as he triumphed over his team-mate Mark McNally by less than a wheel.

Afterwards, Steven commented that he enjoyed the race and was not put off by the weather conditions at the start of the event, stating he was determined to continue in the break whatever the elements through at him. Steven further added that he liked the course adding it suited him coming from a background in track racing.

The earlier event for 3/4/W category Riders was won by Gavin Pourpart of the newly form Echelon Cycles Team over Wyre Forest?s David Barnes. However the Event was marred by a motorist who decided to plough into the break containing the winner. The driver caused severe damage to 2 bikes but fortunately only cuts and bruises to the riders Chris Taylor of Stourbridge CC and Gareth Williams of Climb On Bikes RT.

 

 

Above: The Glendene CC riders did their best to bring the break back but the leaders held firm and stayed away until the end.

 

Podium finish: 2nd, Mark McNally, Steven Burke (1st) and Jonathon McEvoy (3rd)

 

Photo Galleries:

Richard Robotham: >>>> Go There

Gavin Percy: >>>> Go There

 

RESULT
1. Steven Burke, Le Coq Sportif  1.37.40
2. Mark McNally, Le Coq Sportif  same time
3. Jonathon McEvoy, Kineses UK same time
4. Jonathon Bellis, Glendene CC/Bike Trax same time
5. Andrew Magnier, Newcastle RC 1.37.41
6. Simon Holt, Merlin Development same time
7. Matt Green, Crawley CC same time
8. Sam Webster, Kineses UK same time
9. Alex Wise, www.agiskover.com same time
10. Adam Bonser, Le Coq Sportif  1.37.42
11. Rhys Lloyd, Merlin Development 1.37.44
12. Peter Kennaugh, Glendene CC/Bike Trax 1.42.23
13. Luke Rowe, Glendene CC/Bike Trax 1.42.24
14. Luke Marlow, Welland Valley CC same time
15. Warren Flynn, Obri Coaching RT same time
16. Adam Blythe, Pinarello RT 1.42.25
17. Ben Stockdale, Evesham & Dist. Whlrs same time
18. Mathew Greaves, Bronte Wheelers same time
19. Dave Sinclair, i-team.co.uk 1.42.26
20. Jake Elston, CC Ashwell same time
21. Tom Copeland, Fit-For same time
22. Edward Griffin, Somer Vally CC same time
23. Josh Varty, Wheelbase Ronhill same time
24. Christopher Dales, Wolverhampton Wheeler same time
25. Oliver Graham, Wyre Forest CRC same time
26. Alex Ainsley, Cleveland Wheelers 1.42.27
27. Steven Guymer, Sport City Velo same time
28. David Williams, Private Members same time
29. Tim Morris, Newcastle RC same time
30. Osian Meilyr, CC Cardiff 1.42.28
31. Ryan Smith, Sport City Velo same time
32. Jason Crombie, Merlin Development same time
33. Scott Thwaites, Merlin Development same time
34. Jack Hibberd, MJS Racing 1.42.29
35. Darren Tiffin, Merlin Development 1.42.34
36. Matt Rowe, Glendene CC/Bike Trax 1.42.37
37. Andrew Griffiths, Glendene CC/Bike Trax same time
38. Paul Horton,Wolverhampton Wheeler 1.42.38
39. Tom Smart, VC Deal 1.42.39
40. James Boyman, www.agiskover.com 1.42.40
41. Russell Hampton, Glendene CC/Bike Trax 1.42.50
42. Jayson Weale, Medway VC 1.51.50

 

 

National Series Overall
1. Steven Burke, Le Coq Sportif - Dolan - SIS, 189
2. Mark McNally, Le Coq Sportif - Dolan - SIS, 184
3. Jonathan McEvoy, Kinesis UK, 152
4. Andrew Griffiths, Glendene CC / Bike Trax, 131
5. Alex Dowsett, Glendene CC / Bike Trax, 118
6. Matthew Rowe, Glendene CC / Bike Trax, 98
7. Peter Kennaugh, Glendene CC / Bike Trax, 71
8. Adam Bonser, Le Coq Sportif - Dolan - SIS, 68
9. Jonathan Bellis, Glendene CC / Bike Trax, 66
10. Luke Rowe, Glendene CC / Bike Trax, 64
11. Andrew Magnier, Newcastle RC, 58
12. Alistair Carr, Wolverhampton Wheelers, 55
13. Simon Holt, Merlin Development Squad, 51
14. Matthew Green, Crawley CC, 45
15. Sam Webster, Kinesis UK, 39
16. Alex Wise, www.agiskoviner.com, 36
17. Steven Adams, Sherwood CC, 35
18. Tom Diggle, Kuota Biemme, 33
19. Luke Marlow, Welland Valley CC, 27
20. Rhys Lloyd, Merlin Development Squad, 25
21. David Williams, Unattached, 22
Kevin Barclay, Merlin Development Squad, 22
23. Warren Flynn, Obricoaching Racing Team, 21
24. Harry Penn, Interbike RT, 13
25. Billy Joe Whenman, Marin UK, 12
26. Adam Blythe, Unattached, 10
27. Tom Last, Evans CRT 9,
28. Ben Stockdale, Evesham & Dist Wheelers, 8
29. David Sinclair, i-team.co.uk, 7
30. Mathew Greaves, Bronte Wheelers, 6
31. Tom Copeland, Fit-For, 3
32. Jake Elston, CC Ashwell, 2