Witham Wheelers organised their annual British Cycling Road Races on a 12 mile circuit from Hungerton to Saltby, Sproxton, Skillington and  Ponton Heath. With backing from PedalPushers  Bike shop in Grantham, these events are always well supported and both saw full 60 riders with riders from all over the midlands and further afield.

The morning GT Ellingworth event was for 3 and 4 category riders over 45 miles and featured a breakaway over the first 2 laps by Christopehr Eibich (GFTL) but he never gained much more than 30 seconds and with a lap to go it was all back together. Into the finishing straight it was local Junior rider Ethan Squires (Beeston CC) from Bottesford who proved too strong for his senior rivals in the sprint, with Michael Burke (VeloElite RC) in second with Ted McDaid (Ribble Rchrg) third.

The afternoon GA Bennett race was for Elite, 1^st and 2^nd category riders over 80 miles. With an average speed of 27mph it was difficult for any break to gain a significant advantage in the early laps. It wasn’t until the 5^th lap that 3 of the pre-race favourites established a 30 second lead, Jack Hartley (Cycling Sheffield), Alex Luhrs (Leadout Perf) and Damien Clayton (Le Col RT). With the bunch tiring and unable to make an organised chase the gap was up to 1 min 30 at the bell. Although 4 riders broke away from the bunch on the last lap, the leaders were still a minute clear at the finish where in an exciting sprint, Hartley won by a tyre from Luhrs.

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Pleased to say that we now have full fields for both races, although there Reserve places to take up the places of the last minute withdrawals and no shows.

Race Manual

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The annual club Road Races are again held on the 12 mile Skillington circuit, with support from PedalPushers the Ultimate racing Bike Shop of Grantham. With a 60 rider limit, with 10 days to go there are still a few places available for both events, enter via the British Cycling event calendar

G.T.Ellingworth (3/4 cat’s) 73km 9.30am

G.A.Bennett (E/1/2/3 cat’s) 131km 13.15pm

Event HQ: Grantham Cricket Club, Linc’s NG32 1AP