NCRA Handicaps
Saturday 5 April 2008
Images: Sarah Brooke
Regular Midlands photographer Sarah Brooke has sent us a fine selection of pics from the last of this spring's NCRA Handicap races. A couple of samples can be viewed below - for the rest, hit the gallery button above. We've also got the Cycling Bargains team's press release from the event.
Cycling bargains press release
06th april 2008
Dyson crashes out of yellow
In the final round of the Northants Cycle Racing Association Spring Road Race Series Carl Dyson (23) from Syston, Leicestershire, riding for www.cyclingbargains.com racing team started the day in the series leader's yellow jersey with 5 point advantage over Brett Harwood and Malcolm Smith.
The 40mile event at Great Gidding was conducted in freezing temperatures, often through hail and rain storms and on narrow muddy lanes. With just 16miles covered Dyson was brought down when two other riders in front of him touched wheels. Team mates Scott Choucino and Jon Crookes quickly got Dyson back on his bike as he chased to rejoin the other race leaders.
The excellent time trial skills of Dyson (former junior national time trial winner) meant he was able to rejoin the leading riders within 6 miles of his crash but the effort took a lot out of him as the attacks started to come in the last 5 miles of the race. Dyson finished in a credible 8th place behind race winner Matt Barette but this was not enough to hold onto overall leadership as Brett Harwood came home in second place. Dyson finished 2nd overall in the series.
Last year's series winner and fellow team mate in www.cyclingbargains.com racing team, Mike Cowland said, There is an element of luck in the early season events. Brett crashed out of the series last year and it's good to see him enjoying better luck this year. Its credit to Carl for the strength of rider he is to be able to crash, rejoin the race leaders and still come home in 8th place.
Team manager of www.cyclingbargains.com racing team, Rod Freeman said, Conditions were awful today and we are delighted Carl was able to finish in the points but this was a sad way for him to loose yellow in a crash. He has already retained his 2nd cat license this year in just 5 weeks of racing and is well on his way to 1st cat. Carl is a strong rider and he will be back training in the week ready for bigger events later this month.
