Bowater Cleans Up in Thrilling Finale to Series

Leisure Lakes Circuit Series (26 June, 2009)
From James Griffin, Team PR (Velo Club Montpellier)

After a wet day, the sun finally came out to greet crowd that had come to watch the last round of the Leisure Lakes Bikes cycle racing series at Cheltenham race course. Perry Bowater, having won the last three rounds of the series, was in high spirits as he warmed up on the fast and technical circuit. Duncan Jamieson, his only real challenger, had once again brought along a team mate, David Curtis-Whitfield to aid him in his quest to take the overall title in the inaugural cycle racing series.

After the neutralised lap, many riders started to attack as the race began in an attempt to split the peloton and create a smaller breakaway group. Local riders Tom Stockdale (MJS Racing) and Jamieson were able to follow and eventually a large and hard working group was formed at the head of the race. Importantly, this contained series leader Bowater, as well as strongmen Adrian Bird (Team Echelon-Spiuk), Matt Ulmer (Qorol Novatec) and Oliver Graham (Arctic Premier).

This strong group quickly established a good lead and left the remaining riders scattered around the tough race course circuit. With only a short lap, it wasn’t long before this lead group started lapping riders which further demonstrated the speed and determination of these riders, all of whom are very experienced.

Jamieson knew that he would need to attack this group in order to reduce the number of riders, but also more importantly to make Bowater hurt. After around 30 minutes of racing, Jamieson put in a huge effort as he passed through the finish area in front of hundreds of spectators. A huge cheer went up, as most knew that it was his main attack of the race. The strong and powerful burst helped him established a small lead but with Bowater and others on superb form after a long season of racing, Jamieson’s effort was not to last. He was eventually caught and did well to hold the pace of the others and stay with this group who were now hitting speeds in excess of 30 mph.

Race course boss Edward Gillespie, who, incidentally, had returned from Glastonbury to watch the final race of the series, knew that Bowater was now the key favourite to take his fourth win of the series and seal the overall title. The race was fast approaching its climax and the hard working breakaway group were positioning themselves ready for the final sprint. However, it was clearly going to be a head-to-head battle between rivals Jamieson and Bowater. Around the last bend they came and Jamieson’s teammate hit the front in lead-out fashion, with Jamieson stuck on his wheel.

Having put in a huge effort up the climb, his teammate pulled over which catapulted Jamieson to the front. Jamieson looked as if he had finally won but even team tactics wouldn’t deter Bowater, who suddenly surged forward and lunged for the line in dramatic style. Bowater won, much to the applause of the appreciative large crowd.

The women’s race was won by round one winner Marianne Britten (Max Gear RT). Not only had Perry won all four races of the series but also the overall title which included a Specialized racing bike worth £600. This had been donated courtesy of Leisure Lakes Bikes in Cheltenham. The final round was also supported by Windose energy products and creams that are based in Belgium.

After the finish Perry thanked everyone who had supported him throughout the series and said, “This has been a fantastic race series with great crowds and atmosphere. The circuit is testing and I have really enjoyed the racing at this outstanding venue. Thank you.”

The senior races were promoted by Velo Club Montpellier and the youth racing was promoted by Cheltenham and County Cycling Club. Both would like to thank Cheltenham Race course, specifically Edward Gillespie, for their hospitality throughout the four weeks. A big thank you also goes to Phil Landry of Leisure Lakes Bikes in Cheltenham and Windose for their support in the final race.

Senior Results:
 1. Perry Bowater (CC Giro)
 2. Duncan Jamieson (Felt RT)
 3. David Curtis-Whitfield (Felt RT)
 4. Adrian Bird (Team Echelon-Spiuk)
 5. Matt Ulmer (Qorol Novatec)
 6. Crispin Doyle (Swindon RC)
 7. Dan Bill (Team Echelon-Spiuk)
 8. Paul Aldridge
 9. Oliver Graham (Arctic Premier)
10. Simon Burgess (Severn RC)
11. Scott Law (Evesham Wheelers)
12. Conor Ryan (GWR)
13. Richard Cook (VC Montpellier)
14. Michael Thelwell
15. Rupert Denny (Team Swift)
16. Roger Harris (Gloucester City CC)
17. Phil Landry (Leisure Lakes RT)
18. Michael Hill
19. Ricky Dickinson
20. Lee Aston

Women’s Results:
1. Marianne Britten (Max Gear RT)
2. Leona Kadir
3. Alison Bagnall

Leisure Lakes Bikes Circuit Series – Final Overall Points Classification
 1. Perry Bowater (CC Giro) 40
 2. Duncan Jamieson (Felt Racing) 35
 3. Adrian Bird (Team Echelon-Spiuk) 16
 Oliver Graham (Arctic Premier RT) 16
 5. Matt Ulmer (Qorol Novatec)         14
 6. Tom Stockdale (MJS Racing) 13
     David Curtis-Whitfield (Felt Racing) 13
 8. Dan Bill (Team Echelon-Spiuk)     12
 9. Matt Bailey (Halesowen A & CC) 9
 10. Richard Mardle (Felt Racing) 8
 11. Simon Burgess (Severn RC) 7
 12. Ewan McDonald (Epic Cycles-Viner RT) 6
     Ian Alexander (Cheltenham & County CC) 6
 14. Crispin Doyle (Swindon RC) 5
 15. Ian Rees (Team Type 1) 4
      Neil Biggs (Velo Club Montpellier)     4
 17. Glynder Griffiths (Bristol South RC) 3
      Paul Aldridge 3
 19. Scott Law (Evesham Wheelers)     2
 20. Peter Georgi (Epic Cycles-Viner RT) 1
     Mark Hughes (VC Bristol) 1
     Mark Williams (Python Racing) 1

Youth racing continues to be a huge success
The Final Youth event promoted by Cheltenham and County Cycling Club continued to attract an excellent turnout in numbers with 36 very enthusiastic youngsters, including strong teams from both the Cheltenham and County Cycling Club and Stratford CC, take on the challenges Cheltenham Racecourse has to offer A fortunately dry and windless evening made for excellent racing conditions.

The Under 12s, 10s and 8s raced on the smaller 600 metres circuit with Under 12s Thomas Lane (Stratford CC) and Jake Davies (Chippenham Wheelers) and Under 10 Like Turnbull (Stratford CC) breaking away early in the race. They opened up a significant gap and entertained the spectators to an enthralling battle for victory, with Thomas Lane eventually taking a narrow overall win from Like Turnball, who took the U10s race, and Jake Davies. There were other category wins for Andrew Wheatley in the Under 8 Boys, and Eleanor Legder (Stratford CC) won the U8 girl’s race for the third week in a row.

The Under 16s and 14s then set off on the longer 1200 metres circuit incorporating the tough 300 metre climb up past the paddocks area, the hill, as it did with the senior's later proved a lot more testing that it first looks, with lap times of under 3 minutes there was little respite for the youngsters. London visitor Will Macke was winner of the U16 boys race after sprinting clear of his breakaway companion and Under 14 winner Jack reed (Royal Dean Forest CC), with Andrew Graff (Cheltenham & County CC) finishing in third place. An impressive ride saw Zoe Chandler wins the U14s girls race as well as giving the boys a run for their money by finishing well up in the overall placings and third in the boys race

For more information please visit www.cc-cc.co.uk

Youth Results:

U16 Boys:
 1. Will Macke (Palmer Park)
 2. Andrew Graff (Cheltenham & Co CC)
 3. Cameron Foster (Banbury Star)
 4. Luke Cowley (Swindon RC)
 5. Alex Neale (Corinium)
 6. Matthew Derrick (Oxford City CC)
 7. Terry Chance (Worcester St Johns)
 8. Alastair Wade
                   
U14 Boys:
 1. Jack Reed (Royal Dean Forest CC)
 2. Gordon McKeekan (Stratford CC)
 3. Luke Davies (Chippenham & Dist.)
 4. Joseph Harris (Stratford CC)
 5. Dominic Kilmister (Stratford CC)
 6. Chris Roebuck (Oxford City RC)

U14 Girls:
 1. Zoe Chandler (Stratford CC)
               
U12 Boys:
 1. Thomas Lane (Stratford CC)
 2. Jake Davies (Chippenham & Dist.)
 3. Kier Lewis (Stratford CC)
 4. Thomas Milward (Stratford CC)
 5. William Baxter (Cheltenham & Co. CC)
 6. Michael Dalton (Cheltenham & Co. CC)

U10 Boys:
 1. Luke Turnbull (Stratford CC)
 2. Oliver Evans (Stratford CC)
 3. Reuben Ledger (Stratford CC)
 4. Jamie Wolstencroft (Stratford CC)
 5. Ciaran Bowden   
 6. Joseph Armitage (Cheltenham & Co. CC)
 7. Lewis Kavanagh (Cheltenham & Co. CC)
 8. Harleigh Jackson   

U10 Girls:
 1. Rebecca Sluman (Cheltenham & Co. CC)
           
U8 Boys:
 1. Andrew Wheatley (Cheltenham & Co. CC)
 2. Harrison Smith (Cheltenham & Co. CC)
 3. Ben Sluman     Cheltenham & Co. CC) 

U8 Girls:
 1. Eleanor Ledger (Stratford CC)
 2. Kate Wignall (Cheltenham & Co. CC)
 3. Hayley Brooks