Witham Wheelers promoted their 2 annual British Cycling Road races which both attracted full 60 rider fields to tackle the challenging 12 mile circuit from Hungerton to Saltby, Sroxton, Skillington and back via Ponton Heath. Although it does not have any big hills the rolling nature of the roads always means that it’s a hard attritional race.

The morning GT Ellingwoth RR over 3.3/4 laps  (48 miles) for 3,4 category riders saw some short lived breaks over the first couple of laps but it wasn’t until the last lap that 3 riders went clear and quickly built up a 1 minute lead over the bunch with another 3 riders chasing in the middle. This was how it stayed to the finish with the leading groups splitting up over the top of the final hill and onto the final 1 km drag to the finish line.  Joshua Ravn (Wolds Top Activ) from Hull proved the strongest from Samuel Woodfield (Peterborough CC) and James Harworth (Univ Warwick)

The best of the local riders was Adam Egner in 10^th overall, taking the GT Ellingworth trophy for first Junior rider, with Robert McAndrew close behind in 14^th and Ehren Courtman 23rd

The afternoon GA Bennett RR over 6.3/4 laps for E123 category riders saw a high pace throughout with an average of almost 27mph for the 83 miles.  It wasn’t until the 3^rd lap that a break of 7, including local rider  Karl Baillie (Giant Rutland Wattbike) managed to push out a 30 second lead, However with some of the teams not represented the pressure was always on from the bunch and the break never got to more than a minute and the gap was closing near the end of lap 5.  As the bell rang for the last lap it looked like the bunch was going to split as more riders attached over the hill, as the rain increased and the temperature dropped but a slowing over Ponton Heath allowed a regrouping of the bunch.  Jake Tanner (Cycling Sheffield) took advantage of the lull and  jumped away on his own and quickly built up a lead with no one in the tiring bunch willing to commit to the chase other than Ed Porteus (Wellingborough Cycles)

At the finish Tanner held on to win by 27 secs from Porteus with Ollie Peckover (365 4 Bike academy) leading in the bunch 12 secs further back

Of the local riders Peter Cocker (Giant Rutland Wattbike) was 15^th fading in the sprint from a good position on the final hill with Steve Young (Giant Rutland Wattbike) 26^th Reece Egner (Witham Whs) 28^th and Karl Baillie 44^th

Many thanks to PedalPushers (The Ultimate Bike Shop) of Grantham for their continued support of these races and all the club members who came out on the day to make for some safe and enjoyable racing.

Full Results GT Ellingworth

Full Result CA Bennett

Can anyone who has volunteerd to help/marshall please be at the Cricket Club for 8.45 for the morning race and 12.30 for the afternoon race

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With a full field for both morning and afternoon races and Sponsorship from PedalPushers (The Ultimate Bike Shop) of Grantham there should be some exciting racing on Bank holiday Monday.

WW Race Rider List 29-05-2017

WW Race Programme 29-05-2017

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With just under 3 weeks to go a quick update on the race situation, as of Tuesday 9th May

Following the latest risk assessment by British Cycling, this year we are limited to a maximum 60 rider fields a reduction of 20 from previous years.

For the morning 3/4 category GT Ellingworth race a full field of 60 riders has now been accepted, although there is still space for upto 10 reserves, which we will allocate as and when and riders withdraw before the day and any no shows on the day.

For the afternoon E123 GA Bennett race we have had an unprecedented entry of 100 riders, unfortunately this means that we will have to be selective, please note  teams will be limited to a maximum of 4 riders each. The closing date has been brought forward and we will try to advise riders as soon as possible if they have a ride or not, again 10 reserve riders will be listed.

For all club members who have volunteered to help, further details will be posted nearer the day.

Simon Cocker – Race Organiser