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Sheffrec CC/JE James Evening RR 1
Story posted June 9, 2010; from Marc Etches
A field of 54 riders departed from the Fox and Goose for the first Sheffrec CC/JE James evening road race. Damp but ever drying conditions met the riders for 17 laps of the 2.2 mile Barlow Triangle on the outskirts of Sheffield. The days previous heavy rain had caused race organisers problems and they had to spend well over an hour sweeping the corners and making sure the mud washed from nearby fields was removed from the circuit. Many thanks to marshals and in particular Pete Dungworth for his efforts with shovel and broom!
The first attack of the evening came on lap 2 from race sponsors JE James rider, Charles Tennick but by the following lap he was safely back in the bunch who were looking like they’d completed Paris-Roubaix with mud sprayed over most of the bunch riders. Further attacks came on laps 3, 4 and 5 with unattached rider Ben Thomas gaining a slight advantage over the bunch. By lap 6, all was back together with a few riders drifting off the back due to the three sharp corners that were making the race more like a crit than an open road race.
The first Science in Sport Prime came at 7 laps and was easily claimed by Chris Metcalfe riding for Matlock CC. Most riders looked content to just sit in the main bunch and wait to make their moves. The major move of the night came from local rider Danny Lowthorpe riding for Rutland CC. Danny soon gained a 20 second advantage over his rivals and on lap 9, two riders emerged from the bunch to successfully bridge the gap and join forces to ensure that this was a race winning move.
The group of now three riders was made up of original instigator Danny Lowthorpe, VS Cycles Dominic Turner and another local rider, Tony Grassby from Peak Road Club. These guys meant business and soon pulled out at a 40 second advantage with most riders willing just to remain in the shelter of the main bunch.
The closing laps saw the trio of Grassby, Turner and Lowthorpe further extend their lead to 1 minute and the winner of the race would now come from this move. A late surge by Paul Allen of Wakefield CC and team mate of Grassby, Steve Gibson, meant that they escaped the main pack but never really made an impact on catching the three riders up the road.
The last lap came and still the three riders were together as the bell rang. The crowds gathered at the finish line it was Danny Lowthorpe who emerged from the mist to take the win in style. Dan had made a jump on the penultimate climb and this saw him cross the line with 15 seconds to spare from his two former breakaway companions.
The pairing of Grassby and Turner claimed the remaining podium places with Dominic Turner edging out Tony Grassby just before the line. A further 34 seconds back came Steve Gibson and Paul Allen to claim 4th and 5th. The bunch sprint for 6th was won by JE James rider Charles Tennick just seeing off Luke Allen, Doncaster Wheelers and local veteran rider Rob Blackburn also from JE James RT. The top 10 was rounded of by Craig Wilson from Birdwell Wheelers and Ben Last of Sportscover Strategic.
Result
1. Danny Lowthorpe, Rutland CC 37.2 miles in 1.33.19
2. Dominic Turner, VS Cyles @ 15 seconds
3. Tony Grassby, Peak RC same time
4. Steve Gibson, Peak RC @ 34 seconds
5. Paul Allen, Wakefield CC Exponential same time
6. Charles Tennick, JE James RT @ 1.00 minute
7. Luke Allen, Doncaster Wheelers
8. Robert Blackburn, JE James RT
9. Criag Wilson, Birdwell Wheelers
10. Ben Last, Sportscover Strategic
11. Mark Fidler, JE James RT
12. Ivan Boyes, Huddersfield Star Wheelers
13. Lee Allen, RVO Racing
14. Chris Metcalfe, Matlock CC
15. Steve Tompkin, Thurcroft CC
16. John Wright, Wakefield CC
17. Mike Salkeld, Crosstrax
18. James Farnaby, Crosstrax
19. Chris Lynch, Sheffrec CC
20. James Wagner, Sportscover
21. Ian Davenport, Dinnington RC
22. Jed Hartley, Cleveleys RC
23. Sam Kirby, RVO Racing
24. James Hunt, Sheffrec CC
25. Mick Clayton, RVO Racing, all same time
26. Luke Raynor, Ashfield RC
27. Guy Cook, Chesterfield Couriers
28. Stewart Gregory, Nottingham Clarion
29. Matt Sumpton, Mini ODV, Orbea
30. Graeme Huston, GS Metro
31. Christopher Scott, RVO Racing
32. Matt Rigby, Norton Wheelers
33. Russell Jones-Davies, JE James RT
34. Jason Shipton, Moonglu RT
35. Alex Wallis, Sportcover Strategic
36. Simon Cocker, Unattached
37. Nick Fry RVO Racing @ 1 lap
38. Richard Walker, Unattached @ 1 lap
The organisers would like offer many thanks to the event sponsors JE James Cycles and Science in Sport, the Commissares, Brent Storey, Dave Stewart, all Sheffrec CC marshals and car drivers, The Fox & Goose Public House and most importantly the riders who supported this event. The second evening race returns to the Barlow Triangle on the 6th of July.
