McCauley Grabs Circuit Series Finale

 

TravelWise Cycle Races
Elite Circuit Race Series
Warwick, 16th September 2007
Report & Images: Richard Robotham

Podium 1st - McCauley 2nd - House 3rd Elliott

 

The historic town centre of Warwick was the setting for the final race in the Elite Circuit Race Series which was sponsored by TravelWise for which many of the riders had traveled down from Glasgow following the end of the Tour of Britain to compete in this last event.

McCauley and Elliott keep the pace high in the early laps

 

A fast pace was set from the beginning, Russell Downing led the race at the end of the first lap but crashed into the barrier as he negotiated the tight bend at the start of the second lap.

 

The race settled and held together lapping at a consistent pace for a further 5 laps until a crash on the back of the course bought down 10 riders including the BC National Circuit Race Champion James McCallum who continued with a large gash in his leg.

McCallum clearly suffering following the crash

 

This crash was the catalyst for a group of riders to break away which included Malcom Elliott (Pinarello RT), Gordon McCauley (Plowman Craven Evans Cycles RT), Warrick Spence (Cyclefit Serotta), Kristian House (Navigator Insurance) and Dave Collins (SIS - Trek).

McCauley out in front

 

The five leaders remained ahead of the field which had now splintered into three groups over the course, and with 27 minutes of racing elapsed the leaders were now in sight of the back of the field. It took a further two laps for the leaders to make contact with and drive through the main field.

 

The three riders in the chasing group Tony Gibb (Plowman Craven Evans Cycles RT) team mate Simon Gaywood and Jon Mozley (Merlin Racing Team) pushed hard working together to catch the leaders but first had to get past the bunch at the back of the field which also contained the only other rider Simon Holt (Recycling.co.uk) not to have been lapped by the leaders. Holt was working hard at the front of the bunch to stay in touch with the leaders.

House & Elliott break clear to start chasing down McCauley

 

With 50 minutes gone Gordon McCauley took his opportunity and jumped away from the leaders as they climbed the hill to the finish line, gaining a 5 second advantage over the rest of the leading group. With the hour fast approaching all the lapped riders were withdrawn from the race leaving only the 11 remaining unlapped riders.

 

McCauley was now 7 seconds ahead with 5 laps to go to his four nearest rivals and a minute ahead of the remaining six riders.

 

As the lap board dropped to 4 laps to go McCauley caught Gibb, Gaywood, Freeman, Mozley and Holt, and kept going and increased his lead to 12 seconds.

McCauley takes a narrow 3 second victory

 

With 2 laps to go and McCauley out front, Kristian House and Malcolm Elliott stepped up the pace and pulled away from Warrick Spence and Dave Collins. At the bell McCauley, was just ahead of the now lapped riders and the gap to Elliot and House was coming down fast. But McCauley held his nerve and waited for team mate Simon Gaywood to come over the line together.

Elite Men's Result:

1st Gordon McCauley - Plowman Craven Evans Cycles 1:06:33
2nd Kristian House - Navigator Insurance 1:06:36
3rd Malcolm Elliott - Pinarello RT 1:06:36
4th Warwick Spence - Cyclefit Serotta 1:06:37
5th Dave Collins (SIS - Trek) 1:06:37
6th Martin Freeman - Alpha RC Team Corley Cycles 1:06:37

The overall series result looks as though it's gone to Gordon McCauley with 336 points - subject to confirmation

Women's Race

National Circuit champion Lizzie Armistead lines up for the race

 

The 2006 National Champion, Liz Armistead (Global Racing) dominated the Womens Circuit race from the start by taking the lead during the first lap by breaking away in convincing style. She then remained ahead of the field tapping out lap after lap and picking off the back markers one by one.

Femke Van Schelven led the chase

The race fragmented into small groups from the beginning. Femke Van Schelven (WV Barropoort) led a small group of six riders, Katie Colclough (Fat Birds CC), Alexandra Greenfield (Pinarello RT), Hannah Mayho (Team Chance), Alice Monger-Godfrey (Glendene CC) and Annie Last (Team Chance) in the chase to catch Armistead who had by half way a half lap advantage.

Armistead breaks free

Lapping the back markers once more, Armistead in full control of the race powered across the line way ahead of her nearest rival Femke Van Schelven and Katie Colclough both at one minute and 18sec behind. The remainder of the field where calculated at 4 minute down on Armistead.

Women's Result:

1st Liz Armistead - Global Racing 39:11
2nd Femke Van Schelken - WV Barrhopoort 40:29
3rd Katie Colclough - Fat Birds Cycling Club 40:30
4th Alexandra Greenfield - Pinarello Racing Team 43:12
5th Hannah Mayho - Team Chance 43:12
6th Annie Last - Team Chance 43:12
7th Alice Monger-Godfrey - Glendene CC 43:12
8th Katie Fearne Hough - Go Sport Spex RT 43:12

Warwick's Town Centre races are not just about Elite competition - with a full range of races for everyone, including unicyclists, it's one of the best day's out on the calendar