Location: North Mersey Business Centre, Kirkby, Liverpool
Event: 8 April 2012
Report: Snowdon Sports
Attacking with two laps to go, Mark Perry (Dirtwheels Cycles) powered away from breakaway rival Michael Ashurst (Champion System/Maxgear) to record a maiden victory in Liverpool Mercury (Dolan) CC’s Frank Morgan Memorial Road Race at the North Mersey Business Centre.
The two were in a six-strong break which formed early in the 23-lap, 53-mile race and was whittled down to three before Perry and Ashurst were left out in front on their own with five laps to go.
“I’m very happy,” said 35-year-old Perry, from Leeds. “I raced a few years ago, this is my fourth season back, and it’s the first win I’ve ever had.
“I did OK last year, I’ve had some thirds and other placings, and I was really chasing a win – it’s nice to get it out of the way early doors.
“Coming into the headwind just before the bell lap I saw Michael was struggling a little, so I just jumped over him and went for it. I’m rubbish in a sprint and I thought he would beat me if we stayed together.
“Hopefully I can get on a streak now and get my first category licence.”
Perry was close to a minute clear at the line with a similar gap to the rest who were led in by junior Chris Lawless (Champion System/Maxgear).
Results:
1 Mark Perry (Dirtwheels Cycles)
2 Michael Ashurst (Champion System/Maxgear)
3 Chris Lawless (Champion System/Maxgear)
4 Andy Eagers (Derby Mercury RC)
5 Jack Bowyer (Teamwallis CHH RT)
6 Jacob Ragan (Champion Sysytem/Maxgear)
7 James Claydon (Bill Nickson Cycles RT)
8 Tony Greenhalgh (BC PM)
9 Dan Whelan (Onimpex Bio Racer RT)
10 Ryan Pike (High On Bikes)
Veterans: Andy Eagers
Juniors: Chris Lawless
4th category: Alistair Young (Gosforth RC)
Women: Bevan Humphreys (Urban Cyclery.co.uk RT)
British Cycling would like to thank the organising team, officials and everyone else who helped promote this event. Our sport could not exist without the hundreds of people, many of them unpaid volunteers, who put in many hours of hard work running events, activities and clubs.
