Event: 1st April 2013
Location: RAF Barkston Heath near Grantham Lincolnshire
Report: Alan East/Simon Cocker
There was a good turnout of almost 200 riders for the first round of the 2013 circuit race series, supported by Pedalpushers specialist lightweight bike shop of Grantham, to give racing opportunities for Youth, Ladies and 4th category riders on the Lincolnshire side of the East Midlands.
The first event was held at RAF Barkston Heath near Grantham in Lincolnshire where the circuit is around 1-kilometre in length, well surfaced with flowing corners but the open surroundings and constant winds up on the Lincolnshire edge always ensure some tough racing conditions.
The main 2/3/4 category took place last in the afternoon over 60 minutes plus five laps but a strong wind blowing across the circuit didn't deter Carl Dyson (Clay Cross RT) attacking from the start. Local rider junior Peter Cocker (Forme Bikes UK) soon jumped across and as they started to establish a lead Dyson dropped back to the bunch Cocker was undeterred and pressed on, on his own.
With his Forme Bikes team mates policing the bunch Cocker pushed his lead out to over a minute by half distance.
The bunch now started to break up as a chasing group of eight riders was formed including Dyson, Tom Neale (Spalding CC), Oliver Maxwell & Chris Welburn (Forme Bikes). With five laps to go Dyson went clear of this group followed by Neale as several more riders bridged to the chasing group, including Joe Kirkham (Hargroves Cycles) and James Shaw (Forme Bikes).
Cocker had enough in hand to ease off on the last few laps to finish 20 seconds in front of Dyson and Neale with Shaw winning the chasing bunch sprint.
The earlier 4th category race was won in similar style by John Hall (Private member) who broke away at half distance and time trialled to a solo victory 30 seconds ahead of a bunch sprint won by Alex Adgar (private member). Charlotte Colclough (Team CTC) won the ladies race from Alice Cobb (Scott Contessa).
The earlier Youth racing saw some high quality racing with Alex Littlewood (RVO Racing) getting the better of his breakaway companions in the the Youth A race. Tom Pidcock (Aire Valley) similalry won the Youth B boys while Isla Rush (Wyndy Milla) won a competitive Youth B girls.
All agreed that despite the cold weather it had been a great day of racing, and the circuit although flat provides a real racing challenge in a safe and spectator friendly environment. The next event in the Pedalpushers series is Saturday 27 April at Newark show ground before returning to Barkston on Saturday 1 June.
