Club Road Race Report
June 15, 2017WKRC Road Race Championship 2017
Starters on the line were back into double figures this year with more family, friends and fans (ahem) watching from the side lines. Talk prior to the race of favourites included Michael Ashcroft (good T.T. times, very good pace on Sunday club runs), Matthew Reuter (runner up on two occasions) and last year’s winner, Lol Toombs (perennial all-rounder). During warm up laps the high cross winds were noted by all but were only slightly deemed to be a head wind on the way down the course and a good tail wing back up the rise to the start line.
The full course was being used and after the briefing by the ever (over?) officious Commissar Trever Benton we were away dead on 10:30. The first few neutralised laps were all ridden tightly together but once the race was under way the conditions lead to a good pace from the start.
Lol, Colin, Mark, Gary and Matthew amongst others all did some turns on the front testing their legs for later on. At the mid race point the speed was beginning to tell especially up the long drag up and past the start/ finish line. The front of the race now only contained Gary, Lol, Michael, Mick, Matthew, Colin and Mark. Mark had done a long stretch up the hill and found himself in the position on the next lap, Gary took up that position when Michael Ashcroft rounded the pair and made a bid for lone glory. Matthew Reuter chased in vain but before the top of the hill had given up the chase and by the time he had reached the top of the run down to the bottom was sat firmly at the back of the chasing group of Lol, Gary and Colin. The next couple of laps were fast with Lol/ Gary doing much of the work but once it was realised that there was no way of catching Michael nor being able to split the group of four, the final few laps were run at a more sedate pace (even though, with fatigue it felt twice as hard as previous!)
On the final lap Colin finally fell away from the chasing group with Michael crossing the line ahead for a fine solo win with almost a minute on those trying to catch him. The race behind was for 2nd and 3rd.
Lol lead them out (as he had for most of the lap) with Gary following on the left when Matthew found a way through the middle (close but no contact) but couldn’t catch Lol for a thoroughly deserved second place and first over 50 Vet, with Matthew third. The excitement of the race had some comparing with the final stage of the Criterion du Dauphine although the most important aspect was that all racers finished safe and sound and enjoyed the experience.
Let us hope this event grows and gives appetite for those competitors to race elsewhere.
There was a photographer on the circuit and we are tracking down his details so that we can gain access to the images.
Matt Reuter