Worcester News Road Race

August 2, 2009; Thanks to Steve Dring (Team Echelon-Spiuk), Photo Kerry Coombs

Former Worcester St Johns rider, Simon Wilson (Arctic Premier RT), added his name to an illustrious list of winners of the Worcester News Road Race sponsored by Nemesis Active of Pershore. Wilson outsprinted his breakaway companions with the bunch rapidly closing in what was a thrilling finish to an exciting bike race.

A full field of 80 riders set out from Kempsey over 125km (6 laps) of the Kinnersley circuit. The race got off to a fast start with continuous attacking, and groups were unable to gain a significant advantage until approaching half distance when three small groups escaped and joined up to form a leading break of 11 riders. Joining Wilson, were Russell Falder (Mammoth RT), Colin Parry (VC Raphael), Andrew Magnier (Planet X), Ben Anstie (Chippenham & District Whlrs), George Rose (Abergavenny RC), Grant Bayton (Sports Beans/Wilier), Tony Gibb (MS TINA Clothing), plus local riders Dom Jelfs (Wyre Forest CC), Steve Dring and Adrian Bird (Team Echelon-Spiuk).

The gap on the bunch rose to 1 minute 20 seconds and with 20 miles to go, Bayton tried to break things up through the feed which prompted a period of attacking during which the gap over the bunch fell to under a minute. Racing through the finish to get the bell, the break had resumed working together and had 46 seconds advantage but coming into the long straight with three miles to go, the bunch could see their quarry in the distance.

Gibb forced the pace with Dring and Bayton going clear but at the bottom of the final climb, the break was back together for a sprint finish. The bunch had closed to within 50 metres and Jelfs was first to jump with Gibb, Wilson, Magnier and Bayton giving chase. As the hill kicked up, Gibb hit the front with 200 metres to go, but Wilson came past to take the victory from Gibb and Magnier. Tom Barras claimed 4th place as the bunch sprint enveloped the remaining breakaway riders in the final 200 metres.

Winning his 9th race of the season, Wilson was "really pleased" to win having been a former member of the promoting club, when at University in the City. Tony Gibb was gracious in defeat, pleased to record a result for his new team (MS Tina Clothing), an Italian clothing company, having taken a rest following the Tour Series to commentate on the Tour de France.

Provisional Result
1st Simon Wilson (Arctic Premier RT)
2nd Tony Gibb (MS Tina Clothing)
3rd Andrew Magnier (Planet X)
4th Tom Barras (Private Member)
5th Grant Bayton (Sports Beans/Wilier)
6th Jack Kirk (Wyre Forest CC)
7th Marcin Bialoblocki (Sports Beans/Wilier)
8th Adrian Bird (Team Echelon-Spiuk)
9th Dominic Jelfs (Wyre Forest CC)
10th Mark Wordsworth (Team Corley Cycles)

KOM
1st Andrew Magnier
2nd Grant Bayton
3rd George Richardson (Pendragon/Kalas)