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2010 Parham House Kermesse

Story posted August 31 | South Downs Bikes Cycling Club | by Graham Robins

South Downs Bikes in partnership with the Surrey Cycle Racing League promoted two Belgian Kermesse style road race on a 4.1 mile partly closed road course through the beautiful grounds of Parham House near Storrington nestled in the South Downs. The club laid on two races, one in the morning for 3rd category riders and another after lunch for Elite/1/2/3 riders.

The course for both races rolled away from the grounds of Parham House on a neutralised lap as this was a new course for everybody. The race was supported by members of the NEG and a full race convoy of Support vehicles. There was a road mileage of about 3 miles and a section of closed road of about 1 mile. Both races were basked in sunshine, with the only water found under the trees on the road section.

The morning race got underway at a slow pace as riders settled in for the first of eight competitive laps. The first couple of laps saw the bunch all together, until on lap four, two riders James Scott (Sub7 Bikes) and James D’Arcy (South Downs Bikes) made an attack and managed to get some time on the bunch who were rolling along seemly allowing them to get away.

Then on lap 5, as the race entered the south gate entrance to the House, James was on his own. He held this lead for the next couple of laps, but with the bunch now on his tail as they took the bell, it wasn’t long before he was caught. Before the race left the house section, they were all together again with James Mickelburgh (London Dynamo) driving the race along the road section before the finish on the hill in front of Parham House.

As the race turned towards the finish, James was swallowed up by the bunch and three riders got away and contested the sprint finish. As the road ramped upwards it was Daniel Gillow (Wyndymilla) who just got the win ahead of James Lowden (Lewis Wanderers) and Paul McGuigan (Norwood Paragon).

Provisional Result
1. Daniel Gillow Wyndymilla
2. James Lowden Lewes Wanderers
3. Paul McGuigan Norwood Paragon
4. Matthew Hinshelwood Dulwich Paragon
5. Gavin Morton Charlotteville CC
6. Mark Spindler Twickenham CC

The afternoon’s race got underway with a recon lap followed by twelve competitive laps. The first couple of laps went by with the bunch mainly all together as they were strung out through the house grounds. On the fifth lap, a small group started to form and a small gap started to appear between them and the chasers. This group of eight riders continued to open up the gap and their lead was soon about a minute.

The front group, now settled in, were all working hard and the gap soon went out to two minutes then four minutes. The group was Steve Callard (South Down Bikes), Christopher McNamara (Team Corley Cycles), Neil Coleman (Felt-Colbornes), Darren Barclay (Arctic RT), Ian Legg (Felt-Colbornes), Richard Cartland (Team Corley Cycles), Andres Christainsen (Team Corley Cycles) and Kevin Knox (Dulwich Paragon).

With a lap to go, Neil Coleman was dropped from the bunch when he had a puncture and with no neutral service he had to pull out. As the leaders approached the bottom of the climb, three riders were away and it was Steve Callard who had the legs to outsprint Darren, and take the win for the promoting club.

Provisional Result
1. Steve Callard South Downs Bikes
2. Darren Barclay Arctic RT
3. Richard Cartland Team Corley Cycles
4. Christopher McNamara Team Corley Cycles
5. Andres Christainsen Team Corley Cycles
6. Kevin Knox Dulwich Paragon CC
7. Ian Legg Felt-Colbornes RT
8. Matthew Theobolds CS Grupetto
9. Matt Seaton Mosquito Bikes
10. Phil Cloke San Fairy Ann CC