Thanks to Jack from the Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team for this latest report. Ed
Race Report: Winchester Park and Ride
On Sunday 29th June, five members of the Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team headed over to the Winchester Park and Ride for some closed circuit racing.
In the opening fourth Category Race, an early break of ten riders went away from the peloton including team rider Ian Hayden. A further split then occurred and two riders went clear.
Category promotion for Hayden
With a just one short lap to go Hayden put in a big effort to split the remaining group of eight and came across the line in fourth place.
That finish gained him enough points to obtain his third category licence, joining an increasing list of team members who have moved up categories on this most unconventional of race circuits.
Third category race
Next up in the third Category Race were Wightlink-LCM Systems CRT’s Matt Allsopp, Sam Baker, Kev Foster and Edward Sutton.
With a very quick start and high pace a break formed early on. Unfortunately within the early stages of the race Sam Baker had a puncture around a tight corner bringing him crashing down to the ground hard forcing him to retire from the race.
Allsopp, Sutton and Foster worked well together but the high chasing pace and surges caused another split in the group.
In the final lead group were ten riders, including Sutton, who tried several attacks, but unfortunately these were chased down. Coming into the final lap Sutton positioned himself well and sprinted for fifth place.
Allsopp and Foster finished safely in the bunch.
Image: Ian Hayden, now a third category cyclist
