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Imperial Winter Series (Races 5 & 6)
January 1 & 2, 2010; Results and photos from Lucy Collins, Reports by Imperial Racing Team
Series News: Imperial Winter Series Weather Update
January 7, 2010
Doug and Lucy Collins are going to the Hillingdon circuit on Friday to check the conditions for possible racing this Saturday, the 9th January. If it is decided that racing will go ahead, please note that series points will not be issued but British Cycling points will. Ultimately, we do not want riders taking travel risks to protect their series positions as many of the riders travel a long distance to get to the circuit. So watch www.imperialracingteam.com for a further update.
Report of Races 5 & 6
The Imperial Winter Series had a busy New Year with races on the first day of the year and also the second one with rounds 5 and 6 of the circuit race series at the Hillingdon Cycle Circuit. Results follow photos.
Race 6
Category 3 & 4 Races
The 3rd and 4th category races went back to their regular format of racing on the circuit at the same time. At times, this can cause problems but to the credit of all the riders they rode responsibly. The 4th cat riders in particular are gaining in confidence weekly and there has been some spirited riding that also appears in the 3rd cat race as well. With the range of races now available on the day at Hillingdon, some of the 3rd cat riders should perhaps consider moving up to ride in the E/1/2/3 races to fully test their ability.
In the end, both races finished without breaks and both again finished with tight group finishes. The 4th category race saw Richard Gordon (South Western RC) just get the better of Matt Treadwell (Twickenham CC) and Moray Cooke and similarly in the 3rd cat finish, Craig McLean (London Dynamo) held off Steve Jackson (Rollapaluza CC) and Nat Smith (London Phoenix). Peter Giddings (VC Walcot) won both the primes in the 3rd cat race.
E/1/2/3
In the E/1/2/3 race there were great expectations before the start with new Radioshack signing Alex Dowsett attending fresh from a training camp to meet with his new team and after a good Christmas, keen to gauge his fitness. Alex was to be tested from the start as a group of three consisting of John Heaton-Armstrong (Fit-for), Felix English (Pearson Cycles) and again the man on-form Phill Sykes (Sigma Sport) moved off the front of the main group. The two primes that were included in the race were sponsored by Stuart Stow of PurnaSports.com.
In the process Heaton-Armstrong dropped back and the primes were won by Felix English riding brilliantly and Phill Sykes. However, it was only a matter of time before Sykes was to leave English but he showed his appreciation for his part in the break as Sykes went on to win comfortably in great style and English to his credit gave his all in the back to back races.
In the main group Steve Golla (Sigma Sport) was doing a superb effort of policing all attempts to pull away, particularly those of Dowsett, Alderson and Streather and at times it did seem that they were getting closer but the shear power of Sykes kept them at bay. It was his 3rd straight win and his incredible performances will be followed with interest when the road season commences. Two other notable performances came from Juniors Matt Myers (Twickenham CC) finishing superbly in 7th place and Lawrence Carpenter (Hillingdon Slipstreamers); a great sign for the future.
Race 5
The traditional New Years Day Imperial Winter Series race was run in bright sunshine with the temperature just above freezing. The 4th and 3rd cat races each had the luxury of the circuit to themselves and both races saw nearly 40 riders sign-on. The headwind down the finishing straight made it very difficult to attack but both races saw several attempts and in particular in the 3rd category race by Paul Troughton (London Phoenix /Wheelbase.co.uk) who rode away on his own but was later caught.
Both races ultimately finished in group sprints with everyone staying upright. In the 4th cat race it was an impressive finish by Clinton Thomas (London Dynamo) who held off Josh Maynard (Welwyn Wheelers) and Will Horrocks (Kingston Wheelers CC). Similarly, the 3rd Category race finished the same with a strong and impressive sprint from Tim Benham (DH Cyclesport) to take him clear from Steve Jackson (Rollapaluza CC) and Marcel Six (Private Member). This was his second win in a row.
The E/1/2/3 race had drama before the start with Henry Furniss (WyndyMilla) leaving his racing shoes at home. Unfortunately no one was able to come to his aid but as an experienced rider, the Chief Comm allowed him to start in his fur lined boots and remarkably he was able to finish in the main group - with the warmest feet of everyone, albeit jaded by this additional effort!
Overall leader Felix English (Pearson Cycles) had a chance of increasing his lead as after 10 km he broke away with Phill Sykes (Sigma Sport). They were quickly joined by last years overall winner Jerone Walters (Sigma Sport). It was unfortunate that due to the freezing conditions, Felix dropped back to the main group although he did have several further attempts to break away when he warmed up again but the Sigma strength in-depth finally told with lone team mate Steve Golla controlling the main group with precision.
Vince Halpern (AW Cycles), Jason and Jamie Streather (VC St.Raphael) and Paul Alderson (SWRC) tried very hard to keep the main group moving but to no avail although at times their momentum got them close. Such was the strength of Sykes and Walters, that they eventually pulled away with Walters very sportingly allowing Sykes to take the win and the 200 series points with Jason Streather leading the main group in over a minute down.
Photos from Round 5 (January 1)
Category 3 & 3/4
Category Elite/1/2/3
RESULTS
Race 5, New Years Day Racing
E/1/2/3
1st Phill Sykes Sigma Sport
2nd Jerone Walters Sigma Sport
3rd Jason Streather vc st raphael
4th Jerzy Kuzminski Private Member
5th mark ottaway V C Meudon
6th Vincent Halpern A W Cycles.Co.Uk
7th Steve Golla Sigma Sport
8th Felix English Team Pearson Cycles
9th Jo Skelton Brixton Cycles
10th Gianluca Cappello VC Meudon
11th Paul Alderson SWRC
12th Harry Bulstrode DH Cyclesport
13th Robert King AW Cycles
14th Owen Lake Cambridge CC
15th Michael Hill Team Quest
16th Richard Da Silva Stevenage CC
17th Stoyko Bussarov Imperial Racing Team
18th John Heaton-Armstrong Fit-For
19th Martin Garratt London Dynamo
20th Stuart Thompson DH Cyclesport / Colnago
21st Cosmo Kedros Dulwich Paragon
22nd Adelo Christides Egmes
23rd Richard Collins Imperial Racing Team
24th David Swan Fit-For
25th Lawrence Carpenter Hillingdon Slipstreamers
26th Michael Widera www.sportscoaching.com
27th Marco Coppola Gemini BC
28th Dave Woods CC Luton
29th Geoff Powell High Wycombe CC
30th Henry Furniss WyndyMilla
31st Mike Knight VC Meudon
32nd Sam Allen AW Cycles
33rd James Leach Onelife-Fuga Racing Team
34th Jamie Streather VC St Raphael
3rd Category
1st Tim Benham DHCyclesport.CO.UK
2nd Steven Jackson Rollapaluza CC
3rd Marcel Six Private Member
4th Alan Strang Dulwich Paragon
5th Tom Neale Spalding CC
6th Jon Noton Inverse Racing/Bikefood
7th Nathan Smith London Phoenix
8th Chris Long TVS Sherborne
9th David Webborn London Dynamo CC
10th Andy Angwin London Phoenix
11th Phillip Burgess Norwood Paragon CC
12th Anthony Rogers Brighton Excelsior CC
13th Phil Holloway southend wheelers
14th James Dunbier London Dynamo
15th Mark Chan Dulwich Paragon
16th Thomas Sutherland Twickenham CC
17th Steven Noble London Dynamo
18th Dave Ryan Imperial Racing Team
19th wayne thomas Reading CC
20th Mike Saunders Team Corridori
21st Simon North Hemel Hempstead CC/TORQ
22nd Andy Edwards Kingston Wheelers CC
23rd Peter Graham North Hants RC
24th Charlie Pearch Rapha Condor
25th Peter Dixon Willesden CC
26th sean molyneux Metropolitan Police CC
27th Ben Jacobs London Dynamo
28th Matt Derrick Oxford City RC
29th Mark Northover CC Giro
30th Rob Pelham Lewes Wanderers
31st Paul Troughton London Pheonix / Wheelbase.co.uk
32nd James Lowden lewes wanderers
33rd paul shoobridge private
34th Paul Redman Thames Velo
35th Gregg James Behind The Bike Shed
4th Category
1st Clinton Thomas Lonon dynamo
2nd Josh Maynard Welwyn Wheelers
3rd Will Horrocks Kingston Wheelers CC
4th Richard Gordon South Western RC
5th Jonathan Heal Farnborough & Camberley CC
6th Phil Adams CC Ashwell
7th Nick Austin Southampton Tri Club
8th Dominic Lowden Lewes Wanderers CC
9th Peter Morris Lewes Wanderers CC
10th Chris Zavos London Dynamo
11th Kevin Sykes Team Velo Sportif
12th Andy Kerr Oxonian CC
13th Marc Boston Inverse Racing
14th Natalie Hill Hillingdon Slipstreamers
15th Gavin Percy DNA Cycles RT Cyclesportcoach
16th Robert Nall London Dynamo
17th James Ryan Lewes Wanderers
18th Paul Lincoln Gregarious
19th Matt Treadwell Twickenham CC
20th Andy Brown Thames Velo
21st Stephen Thompson WyndyMilla
22nd Martin Porter Thames Velo
23rd Simon Parton Kingston Wheelers
24th Stef Knowles Sydenham Wheelers
25th Chris Goodman VC Londres
Race 6, January 2
Elite/1/2/3
1st Phill Sykes Sigma Sport
2nd Jo Skelton Brixton Cycles
3rd Jerzy Kuzminski Private Member
4th Steve Golla Sigma Sport
5th Jon Dibben Hargroves Cycles
6th Jason Streather vc st raphael
7th Matthew Myers Twickenham CC
8th Henry Furniss WyndyMilla
9th Gianluca Cappello VC Meudon
10th Alex Dowsett U23 Trek-Livestrong/Radioshack
11th Harry Bulstrode DH Cyclesport
12th Richard Da Silva Stevenage CC
13th John Heaton-Armstrong Fit-For
14th Michael Widera www.sportscoaching.com
15th Paul Alderson SWRC
16th Lawrence Carpenter Hillingdon Slipstreamers
17th Daniel McCulloch Private Member
18th Tony Gibb Cycle Premier
19th Dave Woods CC Luton
20th Geoff Powell High Wycombe CC
21st Martin Garratt London Dynamo
22nd Adelo Christides Egmes
Category 3
1st Craig McLean London Dynamo
2nd Steven Jackson Rollapaluza CC
3rd Nathan Smith London Phoenix
4th Andy Angwin London Phoenix
5th Peter Giddings VC Walcot
6th Alex Turner FVS Tri
7th Tom Neale Spalding CC
8th Mark Northover CC Giro
9th Ralph Keeler Cambridge CC
10th Josh Maynard Welwyn Wheelers
11th Andy Edwards Kingston Wheelers CC
12th William Platt Kingston Wheelers CC
13th Ed Rose Progression Fitness
14th Andrew Stronge London Dynamo
15th Jai Watson Dulwich Paragon CC
16th Alan Strang Dulwich Paragon
17th Peter Dixon Willesden CC
18th Tav InverseRacing/BikeFood
19th Mark Smith Welwyn Wheelers
20th East London Velo
21st William McFarland East London Velo
22nd wayne thomas READING CC
23rd Jim Ley Kingston Wheelers
24th Charlie Pearch Rapha Condor
25th Chris Bracewell V.C.L.
26th Steven Noble London Dynamo
27th Andrew Stevenson Inverse Racing / Bikefood
28th Peter Jones Hillingdon Cycling Club
29th Gareth Welch Dulwich Paragon
30th Nick Franzini London Dynamo
31st Maryka Sennema Kingston Wheelers
32nd Stuart Stow Twickenham CC
33rd Mark O'Brien Archer RC
34th sean molyneux Metropolitan Police CC
35th David Webborn London Dynamo CC
36th Stuart Ward Twickenham CC
37th Paul Redman Thames Velo
38th Vaughan Luff De Ver Cycles
39th Thomas Sutherland Twickenham CC
40th paul shoobridge private
41st Dave Ryan Imperial Racing Team
42nd James Lowden lewes wanderers
4th category
1st Richard Gordon South Western RC
2nd Matt Treadwell Twickenham CC
3rd Moray Cooke Private member
4th Andy Kerr Oxonian CC
5th James Ryan Lewes Wanderers
6th Jonathan Heal Farnborough & Camberley CC
7th Andrew McCombe CC Basingstoke
8th Chris Zavos London Dynamo
9th Kevin Sykes Team Velo Sportif
10th Mark Orphan Dulwich Paragon
11th Stuart Clark Private member
12th Stephen Thompson WyndyMilla
13th Tom Lettice Edinburgh RC
14th Nick Southworth High Wycombe CC
15th Mark Brown Dulwich Paragon
16th Neal Mackintosh London Phoenix CC
17th Roger Richards Dulwich Paragon
18th Richard Hosking Addiscombe CC
19th Gary Lee Kingston Wheelers CC
20th Mark Raddenbury private member
21st Alex Hinton Private Member
22nd Andy Brown Thames Velo
23rd Simon Parton Kingston Wheelers
24th George Kirkin Twickehan CC
25th Robert Nall London Dynamo
26th Richard Rose Progression Fitness
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