Thanks to Jack from Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team for this Race Report from Winchester Park and Ride. Ed
On Sunday 9th August three riders from the Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team travelled to the Winchester South Park and Ride Criterium.
Lining up for the team in the 50 minutes plus five laps race were Sam Baker, Kev Foster and Ian Hayden.
Baker, Foster and Hayden went out with a race plan to try and split the 40 odd riders within the first ten minutes that proved to be difficult and took its toll on the team.
After the first ten minutes no one else seemed to want to take it up so Baker, Foster and Hayden sat back in the peloton to make other teams to do the work. This soon worked as a group of 12 riders managed to get away from the main bunch, and Baker went clear with the leading group.
Foster and Hayden had done their job for the race and sat in the peloton for the remainder, where they finished. The front group soon had a big gap and started to lap the rest of the field.
As the race went on the lead group started to get smaller as riders started to attack each other and the pace was being upped on each attack. All Baker had to do was go with the moves and stay in contention which he did perfectly.
As the five laps to go board came out Baker stayed in the first three riders of the group and jumped onto each wheel that came past him to hold his position.
Once the bell lap came Baker had to make his move a lot earlier than he liked but it worked out very well. As a rider led him out of the last corner Baker went all out for the finish line to take a strong and convincing win by six bike lengths ahead of second place.
