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Report: Hambleton Road Club Circuits

Event: 3rd April 2011 | Report: Howard Botting |

This weekend riders from across the north of England enjoyed the unique opportunity to race on the service lanes that make up RAF Leeming airbase. While Boonen and Cancellara were battling it out over the concrete expansion joints of Flanders, rider's in the Hambleton Road Club's Circuit races got their own taste of this challenging road surface.

Race organisers would like to thank RAF Leeming for allowing them to use the venue and its facilities. They would also like to thank everyone who came along and made the race a successful event.

3, 4 Race

A large field of over 60 riders enjoyed excellent spring conditions in the early race, which covered 8 laps of a 3 mile circuit. A stiff breeze made the course a mix of hard slog and fast tail wind. The race was animated from the off, with Steven Fullerton (Darlington CC) keen to shake off the pack with a number of attacks. Another rider keen to show himself and his new colours at the front of the pack was Matthew Enticknap (TEF Richardson's).

As the race panned out it was clear that a number of riders were keeping a close eye on the winner of the recent Wansbeck Road Race, Thomas Bustard (Velo 29). His every move was closely marked. On lap 6 a flurry of attacks resulted in Bustard finally breaking free of the pack, along with two other riders John Cann (Infinity) and Simon Davison (Blackhawk). This group of three worked well together and in tough conditions they managed to hold off the pack, with Bustard powering away for a fine win, followed by Cann and Davison. The bunch sprint for 4th was won by Darren Gladwin of the promoting Hambleton Road Club.

Above: Darren Gladwin (Hambleton Road Club) wins the bunch sprint. Photo credit - Allan Waton

E,1,2,3 Race

A disappointing pre-race entry of 22 riders was bolstered by some additional riders, who signed on the line. These included the mighty Team Sportscover lad's, who drafted in John Tanner, Ashley Brown and local favourite Colin Humphrey for the event.

By the time the race got underway the weather had closed in, leaving half the circuit wet and the other half dry. Despite the race covering 13 laps, the riders were keen to get down to business, with the pace ramping up significantly on the second lap. The speed saw riders scrambling to hold wheels and it was at this point that five riders crashed. The crash created a split at the rear of the pack, with previous year's race winner, James Alder (Blackhawk), being distanced, never to see the pack again. During all the mayhem four riders got clear of the pack - Mark Wordsworth (Corley Cycles), Jamie Shirlaw (Herbalife / Wheelbase), Gunnar Gronlund (Team 23c Orbea) and Colin Humphrey (Team Sportscover). These four worked well together and stayed away for the remainder of the race. In their pursuit of the break, the bunch split and reformed a number of times, until only 11 riders remained. In the lead group a closely fought sprint was won by Mark Wordsworth, beating Jamie Shirlaw by the narrowest of margins.

Above: Mark Wordsworth (Corley Cycles) wins the Elite Race. Photo credit - Allan Waton

Full result

3,4 Race

1. Thomas Bustard - Velo29
2. John Cann - Infinty/Blockers
3. Simon Davison - Blackhawk Bikes
4. Darren Gladwin - Hambleton Road Club
5. Richard Ranson - Infinty Cycles
6. Benn Hallworth - Private Member
7. Colin Bell - VC Briganti
8. Mike Rennison - Cleveland Wheelers
9. Chris Glass - Cestria Cycles
10. Christopher Ranson - Infinity Cycles/Blockers

Elites 1,2,3 Race

1 Mark Wordswoth - Corley Cycles
2. Jamie Shirlaw - Herbalife/Wheelbase
3. Gunnar Gronlund - Team 23C ORBEA
4. Colin Humphrey - Sports Cover
5. Giles Harrison - Active Cycles/Fentimans
6. Ashley Brown - Sports Cover
7. Richard Meadows - Pendragon
8. John Sturman - Active Cycles/Fentimans
9. James Moss - Endura Racing
10. Andrew Beattie - Infinity Cycles/Blockers