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Millard and Hepworth Back to Racing Fitness

Story posted July 12, by Gerry McManus for CyclePremier.com – Metaltek
 
CyclePremier.com – Metaltek riders, James Millard and Richard Hepworth, showed that their form is finally returning this week. Hepworth was 13th in the Stafford Town Centre race on Thursday July 8th and Millard was 5th in the HotChillee Elite Circuit race at the Brands Hatch circuit on Sunday 11th July.
 
The CyclePremier.com – Metaltek duo had serious setbacks early in the season when then both crashed heavily in separate incidents in the Tour Doon Hame in April. Hepworth broke his collarbone and Millard broke his nose with serious cuts and bruises. Hepworth is reaching form just ahead of the British Men’s Elite Circuit Championship, which takes place in Beverley, Yorkshire this Friday evening (16th July).

Hepworth will have a fairly short journey to Beverley from his home in Dewsbury and the 22-year-old is pleased with his ride in the Stafford race, won by track cycling World Champion Ed Clancy (Motorpoint-Marshalls). “The Stafford criterium race was really crazy,” said Hepworth: “The course was only 900m round but was just full of corners and there was at least 10 crashes. The circuit can only really handle a group of 10-15 riders and staying at the front is the key."

"Unfortunately there were 60 riders and the organisers brought the big UCI ranked teams to the front on the start line. I was flat out chasing from the gun but managed to get to the front when I sidestepped a crash. The hammer dropped again and the race blew into pieces with a group going clear. At one point, the race was neutralised for a few laps when an ambulance went onto the circuit to retrieve a rider who had broken his collarbone."

"I managed to stay close to the Rapha Condor team who were riding tempo on the front of what was left of the bunch and I was able to go for it in the sprint. My early season injury put me back by six weeks and so my form wasn’t there for most of the Tour Series but there is still some good races left in this season. I will be targeting some top three spots now.”
 
“My job at the Circuit Race Championships will be to help the team achieve a podium position,” continued Hepworth. “Criterium races are very unpredictable but I think Jason White, Tony Gibb and Andy Magnier are all capable of getting into the right moves with potential podium places. The competition will be fierce but the circuit is tough but fair.”
 
The full CyclePremier.com - Metaltek team for the British Elite Circuit Race Championships on Friday 16th July will be:

Tony Gibb
Jason White
Simon Wilson
Richard Hepworth
Robert Smail
Andy Magnier