Witham Wheelers promoted their annual two open road races on a rolling 12 mile circuit near Grantham in Lincolnshire. The weather gods smiled for once this summer and conditions were dry but breezy. With the prize money boosted by PedalPushers specialist lightweight shop there were good fields for both events.

The morning GT Ellingworth race for 3-4 category riders had 55 riders on the start line and the main attack went as they crossed the finish line with three laps to go as Adam Gascoigne, Team Pedal power eased off the bunch shortly followed by Pail Bennett and Leighton Davies both of Bio Cadenza RT. Jony Noton, Clay Cross RT also got across and a maximum lead of 45 seconds was built up with a lap to go. On the last lap however the bunch pulled them back and hitting the hill before the finish there were still over 30 riders in contention.

Jon Wells VC Lincoln timed his effort well and took the win from Nic Jepson, Beeston CC and Dominic Smith, Liverpool Mercury with George Thompson, Sleaford Wheelers taking the GT Ellingworth trophy for first Junior

The afternoon GA Bennett for E123 categories with 50 starters followed a similar pattern to the morning’s event. An early break of five riders including Michael Berling Cycle-Premier, Simon Gaywood Sigma Sport, Ben Dean Team Bioglobal and Adam Cotterrell Zappis CC established a lead of 45 seconds over the first couple of laps but the fast rolling bunch pulled them back. A horse related incident on the third lap unfortunately saw a few riders held up with one requiring treatment. Despite various attacks with Peter Vincent, Mid Devon CC prominent, no one could gain a significant lead and coming into the finish there was again some 30 riders in contention.

Ben Stockdale, Metaltek-Scot proved the strongest in the sprint from Jamie Shirlaw, Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes and Nick Baker, Zappis CC in third, Sam Lowe of Hargroves Cycles in fourth was first Junior and Sam Parker of Zappis CC was the first second category rider across the line.