Vernon Wins Again

The Two Counties Norman Southall Memorial Road Race Sponsored by Zip-Vit: Sports Nutrition, Supplements and Vitamins

Bridgnorth, Sunday 19th April 2009

Report: Robin Kyte | Images Andy Whitehouse

A full field of 80 riders left the picturesque Shropshire town of Bridgnorth on a cool spring morning to contest the The Two Counties - Norman Southall Memorial Road Race. The race was neutralised out of the town including the climb of the famous 'Hermitage' Hill which, was welcome news for some!

The racing was soon on in earnest over the first of 3 laps: the race took in 3 significant climbs each lap and totalled 85km. The three hills, which stike fear into the hearts of many are Hilton Bank, Stableford and finally the steeper Bromley Bank. At the end of the first lap Andy Robinson of Concorde-Bridgetown Cycles and Phil Barlow led as they pushed hard up Bromley bank, causing several riders to lose contact at the rear of the field.

The second lap saw several attempts to break up the field with groups of up to six riders forging a small lead. The last and most purposeful was a threesome of Graham Birch Brereton Wheelers, Jeff Vernon Birkenhead North End and Andy Young of Derby Mercury. The bunch and particularly riders from the promoting club, Wolverhampton Wheelers C.C., recognised this as a serious move and worked hard to nullify their advantage before the start of the final lap. Jason Perry - Jif lead up the penultimate climb of Bromley bank with one circuit left.

In a fine display of power riding Jeff Vernon (pictured above)  of Birkenhead North End (a winner the previous week) forced a 47 second lead as he headed for home with 8 miles to go. The bunch chased but only sporadically, many expecting Vernon to be reeled in on Bromley bank. However, it was not to be and Vernon had 20 seconds in hand by the line allowing him to celebrate a well deserved victory in fine style. The bunch was lead in by the fast finishing Simon Ward of the Epic-Viner R.T. himself a winner at Yoxall two weeks earlier.

The race was ran off without accident or incident finishing in beautiful spring sunshine and was a credit to the organiser Ian Potts and the Wolverhampton Wheelers.

Result:

1. Jeff Vernon - Birkenhead North End 2 hrs 9min 22 sec.
2. Simon Ward - Epic-Viner R.T. @ 20 sec.
3. Ian Packer - V.C. Montpellier Same Time.
4. Andrew Prince - Lyme Racing Club
5. James Thompson - Sheffield R. C.
6. Lewis Cowley - Plan B Racing
7. Jack Hill - Leigh Premier
8. Craig Ansell - Wolverhampton Wheelers C. C.
9. Paul Chubb - Epic-Viner R.T.
10. Matt Eastwood - York Cycleworks.