Modbury Road Race No 2
16 July, 2009; Source: James Smith (www.rutrainingtoday.co.uk) | Photos: William Hornby
Another wet night was the welcome for riders at the second Modbury road race. It wasn't the wet stuff though that got their attention but rather a Honda estate emblazoned in Sport Beans colours arriving in the car park. This suddenly upped the ante as the riders realised this was no longer a local easy points road race.
Talking of points, on seeing the Sport Beans team car I had forgotten about them and was now more worried about finishing. With riders of the calibre of Jon Locke, Mark Perry and the legendary Polish rider Marcin Bialoblocki, this was going to be the Sports Beans show. Not to forget the newly crowned SW Circuit champ and elite rider Doug Dewey and finally Rob Willcocks who this season has shown that he is a 'proper' elite having easily scored enough points to retain his category.
The race was neutralised until the long drag out of Modbury and as usual as soon as the flag was drawn in, the attacks began but it was not until the second half of the first lap that the race winning move was made. A small break had already gone and had a few seconds when suddenly Bialoblocki attacked and rode past this group allowing a second for Doug Dewey to jump on his wheel.
This pairing quickly managed to gain a 30 second gap. Rob Willcocks and Peter Johnston (Team Tor 2000) drove hard to bring them back. As the bunch reached the climb for the second time, Locke drove hard at the front splitting the bunch and luckily for me I was on his wheel. Locke continued to drive hard but I could not help, only hold his wheel until we started descending when I was then able to contribute.
Jon and I worked well together and it was not long before we could see Dewey and Bialoblocki. As we reached the climb for the third time I witnessed Bialoblocki attacking Dewey and leaving him behind. That was the last time we saw the “Polish Express” and it was a little longer before we bridged the gap to Dewey.
Now that there were three of us chasing and I was pretty confident that this was the break that would stick. Dewey was unable or unwilling to work that well but as we reached the hill for the last time, I was third wheel and waited for the inevitable attack from Jon Locke. I was not to be let down as he duly made the move and as soon as he did, Dewey was dropped at which point I was able to go round Dewey and began the chase of Locke. Unfortunately I was unable to bring Jon back allowing a Sports Beans 1-2 with me in third and Dewey fourth.
Another cracking race! Thanks to the organizers, Cycle Sport South Hampshire.The final event is on Thursday the 30th of July where sunshine is expected!
Results:
1. Marcin Bialoblocki
2. Jon Locke
3. James Smith
4. Doug Dewey
5. Mark Perry
6. Rob Willcocks
7. Sam Deakin
8. Andrew Hitchens
9. Chris Halls
10. Steve Chmiewliski
11. James Williams
12. Josh Hunt
13. Graeme Lackford
14. Jerry Rayner
15. Dave Gorton
Modbury Road Race No. 1
Jon Tiernan-Locke took victory in the first of three road races CS South Hams are promoting in July this year. The races are being run over three laps of a testing 13 mile circuit which runs through Modbury, California Cross, Kitterford Cross and Ermington.
It was on the road between Modbury and California Cross which proved to be most difficult for the competitors as the strongest riders came to the fore. The race was ridden aggressively with many early attacks. At the start of the final lap Chris Lobb and Andrew Hitchens held a slender lead with pre race favourite and eventual winner Jon setting a fast pace on the front of the bunch.
By the top of the climb there were only a handful of riders in with a chance of winning. Garry Chambers was the only man to stay with Jon over the climb before Kitterford Cross. On the fast run down the Erme Valley Jon and Garry held their advantage. Using his climbing ability Jon left his breakaway companion on the final hill before Modbury to cross the finish line alone.
1st Jonathan Tiernan Locke – Sport Beans Willier 1 hour 30 minutes
2nd Garry Chambers – www.cyclelogic.com @ 10seconds
3rd James Smith – Somerset RC @ 30 seconds
4th Robert Willcocks – Somerset RC @ 35 seconds
5th Philip Borrett – Bikinmotion CC
6th Chris Lobb – www.cycleogic.com
7th Andrew Hitchens – Mid Devon CC @ 3 min 30 sec
8th Sam Deakin – Somerset RC @ 4 min 15 sec
9th Brian Wilson – Team Tor 2000 @ 6 min 30 sec
10th Adrian Clode – Guerciotti/jjcoacch.com
