Evesham Vale Road Race

Sunday 15th March 2009; Warwickshire

By Richard Robotham

A full field of riders assembled in the Worcestershire village of Inkberrow for the 70 km Evesham Vale Road Race promoted by Evesham & District Wheelers Cycling Club. The race of three and three quarter laps held no surprises for the riders and after a short neutralised section from the HQ, the race started off at a moderate pace, allowing  a small breakaway of six riders to go clear.

Matthew Gee (Lichfield City Cycling Club), Lewis Cowley (PlanB-RT), Matthew Ullmer (Evesham &DW), Alister Clay (Halesowen A&CC), Gary Gee (Lichfield City Cycling Club) and Tom Stockdale (MJS Racing) got away on the second lap only to be caught on the long descent to the pretty Inkberrow Village.

Perry Bowater (CC Giro) Matthew Gee (Lichfield City Cycling Club) and Jason Meyer (Stourbridge Velo) took full advantage of the tight road through the village to sprint off the front of the field and increased their lead to nearly 40 seconds but with the main field strung out along the descent to the sharp Flyford Flavell hairpin turn, the bunch were soon at their heels and caught the three riders as they ascended the finish hill.

The main field never let any of the smaller attacks off the front get too far ahead, and any breaks that had the legs to pull away were soon closed down. With the main field still together at the bell, the race picked up pace, one lone rider tried and failed to jump from the bunch, the riders started to jostle for prime positions within the main field in the hopes of springing surprise attacks.

But as the main field came into the last turn, two riders were clear of the bunch -- the eventual winner Richard Prebble (CandiTV-Pinarello RT) and Luke Moseley (Climb on Bikes). As they powered up the finish hill, Richard Prebble was clearly the strong of the two riders and took the win convincingly.  The bunch sprinted en mass to the line finishing 30 seconds behind the leaders.

Results 15th March 2009

1st Richard Prebble Candi TV Pinarello RT
2nd Luke Moseley Climb On Bikes
3rd Giles Pidcock Epic Cycles Viner RT
4th Matt Blythe Newport Shropshire CC
5th John Fitzpatrick Abergavenny Road Club
6th Ewen Mcdonald Epic Cycles Viner RT
7th Simon Ward Epic Cycles Viner RT
8th Dan Bill Team Echelon Spiuk
9th Robert Smail Mid Devon CC
10th Matt Bailey Halesowen & Athletic CC

1st 4th cat Graham Lee Epic Cycles Viner RT

1st Junior Ewen Mcdonald Epic Cycles Viner RT