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On Monday Southend Wheelers promoted their annual Bank Holiday Cycling Criteriums at the Hogg Hill Racing circuit. There were events for all categories of riders, ranging from the under 12’s right through to professionals. The under 12’s race on the
small circuit, was won by Tom Franlin riding for Herne Hill Youth,
beating team mate Daniel Tullet in the sprint to the line. Callum Mackie
from Lea Valley Youth took third spot. Southend’s Ferghal Swanwick was
riding his first race and finished further down the order. |
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The under 16’s race was run at a fast pace on the large hilly circuit. A break away towards the end saw five riders race ahead of the main field. From these five, Daniel Murphy, Team Keyne, Alex Peters, CC Hackney and Dan Young, Crest CC took the first three places in that order. Southend’s Simon Alexander finished in the main pack. In the 40 kilometer race for third and fourth category riders, there were a number of break away attempts by groups of riders, but these were all eventually pulled back by the fast chasing field. However, with five laps remaining, five riders managed to break clear. This group included Jim Lewis, Glendene CC, Marcel Six and Daniel Murphy, the under 16’ winner, who took the three podium places in that order. Southend's Mark Elms rode strongly throughout but suffered a puncture at about the halfway mark. However, Simon Alexander, tired from the previous race, unselfishly gave his wheel to Elms who rejoined the race and finished in creditable 18th place from the field of sixty seven starters. The final event of the day was a fifty kilometer race for Professionals, Elite, first and second category riders. Fifty three riders took to the start line and set off at a very fast pace, as was expected with the number of professional riders competing. The field soon split into two large groups with the front group dominated by the BMC racing Team that competed in the Southend sea front race. From this group, five riders, including two of the BMC’s, detached them selves and raced ahead. However, with four laps remaining, professionals James Millard, Madison .co .uk and Alex Dowsett, 100% me, broke clear of the chasing group and made contact with the leaders. These two then raced ahead and the only other rider able to match their pace was Dan Payne, London Dynamo. In the uphill sprint to the line, Millard pulled ahead to take the top podium place and the Asprints Trophy. Dowsett took second spot with Payne third, a good effort after his long break away. Full results can be seen by clicking here. The Sunday training and social rides at Canewdon are continuing as usual with as many as fifty riders taking part in recent weeks. |
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