Local Weekly Round-Up

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image courtesy of Joolze Dymond

Hannah Bowers (Cannondale) finished on the podium at the national 24 hr MTB Championships in Newcastleton, Scotland. Bowers, from Charlton Marshall, Dorset was riding her first 24 hr MTB solo event. She is no stranger to competition though, regularly racing Cyclo-Cross in the winter and riding the roads through the summer months. Racing on a tough, 11 mile circuit completed 15 laps, in 23hours 47 minutes, giving her a total mileage of 165, good enough for third place. The cold and wet conditions adding to the challenge. Race winner, experienced Australian international, Kate Potter, completed 16 laps. However as an Australian national, Potter was unable to claim the European Title, this went to second placed rider Ricky Cotter. Sponsored by Cannondale Racing UK, the team is managed by Michael Cotty, who is based at cyclingsportsgroup.com in Poole and is a regular on the local racing scene. Speaking about the race, Bowers said “My goal had been to win the rookie jersey but to finish on the podium at the European Championships at my first attempt was an unexpected bonus. It completely justifies the hours of training and sheer discomfort of the race itself. It is hard to explain the range of physical feelings and emotions you go through in 24 hours of racing but it was a fantastic experience and one I am looking forward to repeating. I could not have done it without the support of my sponsors and pit crew; although it is a solo race it was very much a team event. Bowers had prepared well for the event, her training schedule included 4 hour rides before work, 6 hour rides on the weekends, 2 hour roller work outs and lots of technique work, "I spent hours practising balance and track stands, hopping over small logs and riding around obstacles". The 32 year old cycling journalist joked,"i found myself hanging out with 12 year old boys who very generously let me ride their home made ramps".

The second round of the Southern XC MTB series held at Wasing, NR Reading saw several local names in action. Darren Shepherd (Primera/TBC UK) won the vets race,Former national veteran champion, Mark Chadbourne (ridebike.co.uk) is starting to find some form and placed 3rd with teammate Roland Tilley in 5th.

Photo;Rob Gray.


• Reigning U23 Cyclo-Cross Champion, Luke Gray (Hargroves Cycles) started his road season in fine style, winning on the Thruxton motor racing circuit. After a successful winter, Gray took a few weeks off the bike and has only just started racing again. Broadstone-based Gray joined a small breakaway group of 6 riders and, working well together they built a healthy lead over the chasing bunch. Despite a few attempts, no one else was able to bridge to this group Entering the chicane before the finishing straight, the pace slowed and Gray seized the chance, starting his sprint early Gray pulled away and celebrated as he crossed the line, a clear winner. “This was my first win on the road this season, in the first week I have started to train properly. I am racing Portsmouth and Totnes this coming week in the hope of picking up some licence points. I need to upgrade to at least 2nd Cat this season” Said Gray as he warmed down. Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood were well represented at the former RAF base, Sean Conway,Pete Wilson,Ellie Gilham, Steve Moss, Richard Stephenson and David Gilham all in action.
• Junior rider, Bryce Riglar (CC Weymouth) was the surprise winner of the Moreton Village road race. Sixty three riders lined up for the first race in the thirteen week series. The five handicap groups set off at a fast pace and the scratch group only made contact with the leaders as the sprint for the line began. Riglar held off Rob Koppenhal & Steve Gordon of Dorset Rough Riders in impressive style.

Moreton Race 2 19/05/11

Jason Eastwood (Hargroves Cycles) was a comfortable winner in race 2 of this 13 race, kermesse series. Eastwood, who won the overall title, last year, was part of a strong scratch group that quickly caught the handicap groups in front.
A healthy field of 65 started in bright evening sunshine and from the gun, ambitious riders, who perhaps should have known better, was being shelled out of a fast moving scratch group. The race all came together with 3 of the 10 laps remaining, the flat 3 mile circuit usually produces a sprint finish and tonight would be no exception. With teammate, Stuart Bowers pulling powerfully on the front, Eastwood sat in the wheels biding his time. The time came and the bunch were left to squabble over the minor placings. Roland Tilley (Ridebike.co.uk) 2nd and Andrew Boyd (Revo Racing) 3rd, were the bridesmaids this time.

Provisional Result

1, JASON EASTWOOD (HARGROVES CYCLES)
2, ROLAND TILLEY (RIDEBIKE.CO.UK)
3, ANDREW BOYD (REVO RACING)
4, BRETT EDBROOK (UNNATACHED)
5, DAVE HURLOCK ?
6, STEVE GROOME (BOURNEMOUTH JUBILEE)
7, KIM LITTLE (GILLINGHAM & DIST WH)
8, ROBERT KOPPENHAL (D0RSET ROUGH RIDERS)
9, JULIAN THACKER (VC ST RAPHAEL/WAITES CONTRACTS)
10,NICK BEST (BOURNEMOUTH JUBILEE)

• Simon Tout (VC ST Raphael) overcame the windy conditions to win the Bournemouth & District Women’s CA 25 mile Time Trial. Touts winning time of 55.10 on the Upton course, put him 1.36 clear of second placed Ray Hughes (Clarence WH) with Paul Matthews (Utag-Yamaha) 19 seconds adrift in third. Tout had finished second the day before in the Hounslow 10 with 20.31. Off number 60 in the BDWCA event, Tout called out number 55 to the finish timekeeper as he crossed the line, (he was off no 55 in the Hounslow event). Despite the bright sunshine, most riders in the 70 strong field complained of the nagging headwind, which put paid to any hopes of fast times. Poole Wheelers continued with their successful start to the season as Gary Dighton, 57.17, Terry Icke, 57.54 & Steve Birtwistle, 58.02 all finished inside the top ten to win the team award. Leading lady, Rachel McGranaghan, (VC ST Raphael), 1.07.39, made it a good day for the Portsmouth based team. Road works forced the cancellation of the AC3RG 50 on the fast Lihook course. Poole based Adam Topham (High Wycombe cc) won his own clubs open 25 with a 52.23.

Work continues on the new Bournemouth Cycling Track, with the racing surface being laid. The venue looks very impressive and the Bournemouth Cycling Centre will be an exciting facility for the local community. The BCC will be sure to attract riders from further afield as well. Projected opening ceromony is June 25th with competition due to start in early July

CLUB EVENTS
BJW 10 17/05 P311 17 Starters
1,S MaCLAUGHLIN 23.03
2,J CLEMAS 23.19
3,C ROWE 23.53

NEW FOREST CC 30 17/05 P164 23 Starters
1,H BULSTRODE (Southampton RC) 1.8.36
2,K KING (Sotonia) 1.10.13
3,J HEFFERNAN 1.12.14


CC WEYMOUTH 25 17/05 P451 10 Starters
1,J THACKER (VC ST Raphael) 58.33
2,J CHAPMAN 1.00.5
3,C LAWSON 1.01.52


POOLE WH 25 18/05 P413 17 Starters
1,G DIGHTON 54.15
2,S BIRTWISTLE 55.12
3,L GIRLING 55.54

BOURNEMOUTH ARROW 10 19/05 P311 29 Starters
1,L PIERCY(DRAG2ZERO) 22.15
2,K KING (SOTONIA) 22.41
3,W STEPHENSON 22.51