Nick Bateson Memorial Road Race

Sunday, June 21, 2009; Promoted By Poole Wheelers

Report & Photos by Graham Robins (http://www.grahamrobins.net/)

The Nick Bateson Memorial Road Race was based around the town of Wool in Dorset, using the rolling course just to the north of the MOD gunnery ranges of Lulworth. Promoted by Poole Wheelers, the riders faced four and a half laps including five times up the climb from Wool to make a distance of 80 kilometres (50 miles).

The field rolls out to start their race

As the race started and turned onto the course, the road went upwards but all the riders were still together the first time through the finish line. It was on the second lap though the pace started to take its toll and 17 riders were dropped as the chase after break away attempts saw the pace continue to rise.

Halfway round that second lap,  Rowan Shepherd (Wessex RC) and Richard Eastham (Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers) got a small gap but couldn’t make it stick and they were pulled back. What was left of main field arrived at the bottom of the climb all together and it wasn’t until East Lulworth when the next attack came.

Jonathan Ellis (Team Certini) decided to have a go but was closely marshalled by Richard Eastham, with the gap to the chasing bunch only a handful of seconds. As they approached Wool, the small lead group grew in numbers as they faced a long slog up the hill and over the top together.

Then, the attacks started to happen. This time Robert Cranstone (Royal Navy) attacked near to the gunnery ranges, but as his gap increased, he punctured, and with no service his race was over.

Into the final quarter of the race, a group of eight were together again, Richard Horton (N/A) a junior riding on restricted gears and in his first open road race, had a dig and got a gap. The finish was uphill but it has a couple of false flats as the riders climbed and as he did, Richard was passed by two riders within sight of the line but managed to hold off the challenge from Simon Mears (BJW) to take a creditable third.

Bournemouth Jubilee were very active all race closing attacks down and were rewarded with three riders in the top five.

Roland Tilley

Provisional Results
1st Roland Tilley Ride Cycle Works
2nd Rupert Silman Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers
3RD Richard Horton N/a
4th Simon Mears Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers
5th Richard Eastham Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers

Rider Quotes
Roland Tilley “I didn’t get a very good start and I had to overcome the three riders from Jubilee as they were working really well together. I waited until the flag with 200m to go before I decided to sprint for the line -- this sort of climb suits me”.

Richard Horton “That’s my first open road race and third race as a junior -- I only got my junior license last week. I went to do a pull at the front when Richard Eastham attacked and I then found myself on my own.”

“I then caught him and rode with him for a bit, then we were brought back in the bunch. I settled in the bunch getting my energy back, staying near the front. On the last lap, I went with anyone that was going to have a go. Every time I went away, I was pulled back, then with 50 metres to go I was passed by two. I am really pleased today”.

More Photos

Presentation -- Roland Tilley with Graham Hurst chairman of Poole Wheelers