James Ratcliffe claimed both the time trial and road race stages in Brentor securing a convincing victory.

There were 50 riders who turned up on Sunday 8 April to take part in RU Training Today CC’s inaugural race for 2nd, 3rd and 4th cat riders and juniors.  The time trial stage was approximately five miles long taking in a one mile a 6% climb and finishing on a hill to the chequered flag.  The winning time by Ratcliffe of Fred’s Road Team was 12 minutes flat, entering the race stage with the leader’s jersey.

The race stage started with 49 riders.  Each of the 10 laps saw a breakaway from the main bunch.  The first attempt was by Cadence Cannondale’s Ashley Martin, followed closely by Andy Parker of Mid Devon CC and RNRMCA’s Jason Duckworth who were pulled back into the peleton by the second lap.  

Martin was still on the front by lap two, but now joined by Peter Haworth of Primal Europe and Mark Barlow of Newquay Velo, who between them, managed to pull a 21 second gap on the group. Haworth and Martin consistently remained in each breakaway and were joined by various riders over the next two laps increasing the lead by 71 seconds on the chasing field.

With Martin retired from the race due to a puncture, Haworth made a solo attempt to stay away but was chased and caught by James Ratcliffe.  With the time trial in their legs and the long climb on each lap the peleton managed to pull back 45 seconds and were gaining on the leaders with each lap. 

On the final lap Haworth cramped and was swallowed up in the bunch during a sprint for the finish. Radcliffe came home in first place, closely followed by Richard Oram of Primal Europe and George Pym of Exeter Wheelers.

Ratcliffe finished first place overall and picked up 50 points in the process. Juniors Sebastian Bayliss of Mid Devon CC and George Pym picked up second and third overall.

The average time per five mile lap was 13 and a half minutes, so well done to all 43 who finished.  Bayliss won a £50 voucher from Plymouth Cycle Scene for coming first placed Junior and Jason Flooks, VC Bristol won a £25 Plymouth Cycle Scene voucher for most impressive/aggressive rider.

The marshals and helpers did an excellent job of ensuring the race to run smoothly and were given a well deserved round of applause; without people like them willing to give up their time, events like this would not go ahead.

Results

Time trial

Road race

Overall