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Report: Leisure Lakes Bikes Circuit Series

Story posted June 29, 2010; by Velo Club Montpellier | Photos Glen Watts

Allen Powers to Classy Racecourse Win
Warm and sunny conditions greeted the riders taking part in the second round of the Leisure Lakes Bikes Circuit Series at Cheltenham racecourse last Friday evening. A strong field of over 30 riders took to the start line for the second race of the series which formed part of Team Green Britain national bike week.

First round winner, Jacob Tipper (Halesowen), had also travelled to Cheltenham in hope of winning for a second consecutive week. The race did however contain a high number of in-form riders who were all eager to put Tipper to the test over the 45 minutes plus 5 lap fast circuit race. Swindon Road Club’s Crispin Doyle was first to put pressure on Tipper and his rivals. In the opening stages of the race, Doyle attacked strongly forcing open a generous gap.

Doyle, who had been prominent in the first race of the series a week before, used his strength to open up a clear advantage over the chasers behind. At one point, this gap had grown to over 40 seconds. The speeding peloton behind, who were easily hitting speeds in excess of 40mph on the descent, did not panic and worked well together. 

By the half way point, the efforts of riders such as Tipper, Dan Bill (Cult Racing), Tom Stockdale (Team Qoroz), Steven Allen (Kenilworth Wheelers) and David Curtis Whitfield (Avonlea-Treasure RT) had paid off and Doyle was reeled in by the main peloton. A series of strong attacks then ensued as many felt that it was their moment to break clear and escape the peloton.

As the race neared its later stages, Stockdale from Stroud based Team Qoroz, unfortunately crashed at high speed and was forced to abandon the race. His competitors knew that with a clear favourite now out of the race, their chances had significantly improved. With five  laps to go, the crowd started to sense that the race was going to end in a thrilling gallop to the tough finish line as no rider had been able to escape.

As the main bunch, which contained around 10 riders, sped around the final chicane on the last lap, Allen (Kenilworth Wheelers) sprinted clear, powering away from the speeding peloton to take a classy win by more than a bike length. The bunch sprint behind went to Tipper (Halesowen) and Curtis-Whitfield took a fine third place. Cheltenham based Neil Biggs (Velo Club Montpellier) took tenth. At the finish, the winner Steven Allen said; “This circuit is tough but great for racing. The atmosphere is great and I hope I can win again next week.” 

In a competitive women’s race, Marianne Britten of Max-Gear RT took a fine first place. The next round of the Leisure Lakes Bikes Circuit Series at Cheltenham racecourse will be this Friday, 2nd July, with racing starting at 7pm. The race will be held on the eve of this year’s Tour de France which starts in the Dutch city of Rotterdam on Saturday 3rd July.

Senior race (45 minutes plus 5 laps – 25.6.10)

Round 2 results:

1. Steven Allen (Kenilworth Wheelers)
2. Jacob Tipper (Halesowen A&CC)
3. David Curtis Whitfield (Avonlea-Treasure RT)
4. Crispin Doyle (Swindon RC)
5. Dan Bill (Cult Racing)
6. Scott Law (Evesham Wheelers)
7. Tom Kirk (Team Zappi's)
8. TBC
9. Vince Page (Team Echelon / Spiuk)
10. Neil Biggs (Velo Club Montpellier)
11. Matthew Sheppard (Worcester St John's CC)

Women’s race winner: Marianne Britten (Max Gear RT)

Elite Team Update: Parry Takes Second Win of Season for Montpellier

Velo Club Montpellier’s star elite team rider, Lydney based Colin Parry, continues to build on his successful racing season by taking the team’s second win of the year. Parry, whose VCM elite team were competing in the Kalas Cup 2Day stage race in Somerset, took a classy win on the final fourth stage of the popular South West stage race.

He beat some top riders, including ex-pro rider Ben Luckwell of Wiler/Bigmaggys.com. Parry forced the pace early on in the longest road stage of the Somerset race and attacked on his own on the final climb. He quickly used is well known power to escape the fragmented peloton behind and won Sunday’s final fourth stage on his own.

Parry talked about his win at the finish by saying “I was glad to bounce back on the Sunday after an average Saturday. I had not done much on the bike for nearly two weeks leading up to the event due to a cold which was not good preparation. In the third stage on Saturday, I just didn't have the legs and at the time I wasn't looking forward to the road race on Sunday."

"Luckily, as soon as I got on the bike on Sunday, I felt much better and was able to attack the race from the start. I’m glad for the team that we got yet another win this season. We were riding really strongly all weekend and we officially ended up second in the team classification, although our calculations put us in first spot!”

The win now puts the Velo Club Montpellier rider in 22nd position nationally out of 133 other elite level riders. A high number of these riders are semi-professional, unlike Parry who also holds down a full time job.