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North East Spring Evening Criterium Series 1

Event: 7th April 2011, Middlesbrough Cycle Circuit | Report: Andrew Johnston
Wickham Lights Up Middlesbrough

The first ever competitive race at Middlesbrough's new cycle circuit saw 40+ riders taking part in 4th cat racing and an all inclusive handicap race. Some local class turned out to test the newly laid tarmac. Richard Meadows Pendragon le Col and Harry Wickham, in a compact scratch group had to unlap themselves over the twisty techncial 1 km circuit lapping 4 seconds faster in the early stages. The scratch group of five worked well together and started to make an impact on the handicap quickly was they set into a rhythm. The larger group of 3rd and 4th cat riders, did'nt show the same levels of organisaton and after half an hour could feel the catch coming.

The chasing group appeared to back off once they had the front group in their sights, after 30 minutes of the 50 minute the scratch group made the catch and used the next few laps to recover, the caught group wondering what would happen next! The next 20 mins saw numerous attacks off the front, forcing the entire group to split. Nothing stuck and heading into the the final turn the bunch sprint was on - Wickham took Meadows' wheel and snatched the victory by half a wheel. Local Junior Alex Bottomley ridng for Fiesten Tempo finished the night off with a solid 3rd.

1 Harry Wickham,
2 Richard Meadows, Pendragon le Col
3 Alex Bottomley, Fiesten Tempo
4 Simon Davidson, BlackhawkBikes.com
5 John Brown, ActivCycles-Fentiman RT
6 William Brown, Fiesten Tempo
7 Paul Watson, ActivCycles-Fentiman RT
8 Taylor Cardus, Velo 29
9 Shaun Nicholson, Colomba CC
10 Darren Brown, ActivCycles-Fentiman RT

In the support race Stuart Watson Columbia CC looked stronger than the rest of the field from the off. Forcing a split after ten minutes of racing, the remaining 4th cats spread out in a trail behind. With five laps to go Darren Binks, Hambleton RC made a move and gapped Watson in what looked like the winning move, Bink's attacked had come to soon, and he was soon being reeled in. Watson caught Binks to ride the final lap alone taking a well deserved vicotory in the first every competive race at the new circuit.

1 Stuart Watson, Colomba CC
2 Chris Ranson, Infinity Cycles
3 Unknown rider (Tyneside Vagabonds)
4 Darren Brown, ActivCycles-Fentiman RT
5 Darren Binks, Hambleton Road Club
6 Stuart Neilson, unattached
7 Mike Rennison, Cleveland Wheelers
8 Gary Worton, Stockton Wheelers
9 Adam Brooks, Hartlepool CC
10 Iain Turnbull, Ferryhill Wheelers

The event was the first in a series of six, next week's racing starts at 7.00pm with 4th cats and Go Race taster open to all senior riders followed by all category handicap race. For more details and links to entry go to www.bcne.co.uk

Venue - Middlesbrough Cycle Circuit, Prissick Sports Hub, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3SA.