1/4 Pedalpushers Circuit Race Series 2013 Round 1, Barkston Heath
A good turnout of almost 200 riders for the first round of the 2013 circuit race series, promoted by Witham Wheelers and supported by Pedalpushers specialist lightweight bike shop of Grantham, to give racing opportunities for Youth, Ladies and 4th category riders on the Lincolnshire side of the East Midlands. The first event was held at RAF Barkston Heath near Grantham in Lincolnshire where the circuit is around 1 km in length, well surfaced with flowing corners but the open surroundings and constant winds up on the Lincolnshire edge always ensure some tough racing conditions.
The main 2/3/4 category took place last in the afternoon over 60 minutes plus 5 laps but a strong wind blowing across the circuit didn’t deter Carl Dyson (Clay Cross RT) attacking from the start. Grantham rider junior Peter Cocker (Forme Bikes UK) soon jumped across and as they started to establish a lead Dyson dropped back to the bunch Cocker was undeterred and pressed on, on his own. With his Forme Bikes team mates policing the bunch Cocker pushed his lead out to over a minute by half distance. The bunch now started to break up as a chasing group of 8 riders was formed including Dyson, Tom Neale (Spalding CC), Oliver Maxwell & Chris Welburn (Forme Bikes). With 5 laps to go Dyson went clear of this group followed by Neale as several more riders bridged to the chasing group, including Joe Kirkham (Hargroves Cycles ) and James Shaw (Forme Bikes). Cocker had enough in hand to ease off on the last few laps to finish 20 seconds in front of Dyson and Neale with Shaw winning the chasing bunch sprint.
The ealier 4th category race was won in similar style by John Hall (Private member) who broke away at half distance and time trialled to a solo victory 30 seconds ahead of a bunch sprint won by Alex Adgar (private member) with Triathlete Patrick Cutmore not far behind in 10th in only his second road race. Charlotte Colclough (Team CTC) won the ladies race with Charlotte McRae another Triathlete riding here first ever bike race to finish 9th. The earlier Youth racing saw some high quality racing with Alex Littlewood (RVO Racing) getting the better of his breakaway companions in the the Under 16 race with Witham Wheeler James Carter not far behind in third after riding an excellent race and improving with each outing.