Thanks to Jack for this latest report from Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team.
Pittards Trophy Road Race
Matt Allsopp, Sam Baker and Ian Hayden travelled to Long Sutton just north of Yeovil for the 56 mile Pittards Trophy Road Race, where they lined up with a strong 80 rider field. The race consisted of four laps of a very fast rolling course with a few challenging climbs.
The race rolled out from the HQ and was steady for the first few miles until the flag dropped and the pace soon increased as teams were fighting for a good position into the first climb of the day. Once over the climb the race settled down until a group of four rides broke away. This meant the Wightlink-LCM Systems riders Allsopp, Baker and Hayden had their work cut out to bring it back.
High speed descents
Once the break had been reeled in, the race eased up until the third time up the main climb, when the hammer really went down and split the field to pieces. Allsopp and Baker made it into the front split of approximately 30 riders, which was where the eventual winner came from.
From the split the pace was very high touching speeds off 48mph on the descents. Allsopp and Baker decided to sit in and conserve as much energy as possible until the finish, which was a slight uphill drag.
As the race hit the finish, both Allsopp and Baker both managed to sprint into the top 20.
A great, strong start for this trio’s first road race of the season.
Castle Combe Circuit
Elsewhere, three members of the Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team travelled to Castle Combe motor circuit in Wiltshire to take part in ‘Susie’s Circuits’.
First up in the fourth cat race was Stuart Waite, taking the line with 80+ other riders. After riding a clever race, Waite once again found himself in a good position for the sprint and grabbed fourth place. This result gained him six points and safely secured his third cat licence.
Next up was Kev Foster in the third cat race. Determined to improve on recent results, Foster stayed close to the action and covered various attacks. Feeling good, he pushed forward on the last lap only to be boxed in on the penultimate corner, but on the run to the finish flag the field thinned and he picked his way through to a top 15 position.
Sterling effort from Ebdon
James Ebdon lined up in the elite race next, which consisted of 17 laps of the 1.8 mile circuit. For the first three laps the pace was low and Ebdon bridged the gap to two breakaway riders. Shortly after two other riders made it across to the trio and they settled into a rhythm.
After eight laps, the lead riders got caught by another four and so the lead group became nine. Hanging on for the last six laps, Ebdon got dropped with half a lap to go, but dug deep to keep the chasing pack at bay and to take ninth place.
