East Hanningfield, Essex, 43 miles
Promoted by: Essex Roads CC
Event: 31st July 2011
Report: Snowdon Sports

PETER Hargreaves (VC Norwich) capped a great weekend when he won the Essex RCC Summer Road Race at East Hanningfield on Sunday.

The Norwich-based rider celebrated his 22nd birthday on Friday, and wrapped up his weekend of celebrations with Sunday's win in the 43-mile event.

Hargreaves had escaped the bunch alongside East London Velo's Simon Bateson, and they forged ahead of the field as they tackled four and a half laps of a circuit which took them through Bicknacre, Woodham Ferrers, Stow Maries, Cold Norton and Cock Clarks.

Their chances of victory nearly came to an end when they were held up by a combine harvester on the small country lanes and their lead of around 30 seconds dropped to just 10 seconds.

But they managed to stay just ahead, and built up their lead again to 30 seconds.

At the line, Hargreaves held off 40-year-old Bateson, while the chasing pack were led in by Glade CC's Richard Whitehorn, 30 seconds down.

Results:
1 Peter Hargreaves (VC Norwich)
2 Simon Bateson (East London Velo) @ same time
3 Richard Whitehorn (Glade CC) @ 30sec
4 Jonathan Munns (North Road CC)
5 Colin Bailey (North Road CC)
6 Hiroshi Kobayashi (Team Milton Keynes)
7 Matthew Briers (East London Velo)
8 Mark Longstaff (Colchester Rovers CC)
9 Timothy Butt (Red Kite Cycles)
10 Daniel Scott (PCH UK Racing Team)