Opening races of the season at Darley Moor, with a slightly different format this year to reduce the length of the meetings for the organisers. This week it was just the seniors turn to race in unseasonably dry and almost warm conditions which had many Darley regulars shaking their heads in disbelief.

In the race for 3/4 category riders Paul Conneely was the only local in the 85 rider field and looked to be going well until he was blocked by a small crash with 3 laps to go and distanced by the bunch he was forced to abandon the race.

In the following E123 race there was a good local contingent in the strong 66 rider field, with Peter Cocker (PedalPushers) active from the start trying to split the bunch but he ended up missing the key 3 man break that went early on and dominated the race. Harry Browning was also active mid -race with several attacks which were neutralised by the bunch. With the break pulling out a lead of well over a minute  and a small chasing group of 3 riders the bunch ended sprinting for 7th with Steve Young (PedalPushers) 10th overall after a leadout from Peter. Peter finished just outside the top 15 with Harry not far behind and Junior Reece Egner looking comfortable in his first senior road race a little further back in the bunch.