Thanks to Jack for this update on the Island riders cycling for Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team at the weekend. Ed
On Sunday 26th May, three Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team riders travelled to South Cerney for a 55 mile road race. The race was part of the annual South Cerney Street Fair, with every lap going through the town centre, and passing between Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
Island riders
Sam Baker, James Ebdon and Matt Tibbutt competed in the second category race, which was 12 laps of a 4.5 mile circuit. The pace was high from the start with a flat circuit and very little wind.
The riders covered the first six laps in just under an hour with an average speed of just over 27 mile per hour.
With the speed of the bunch so high, it was very difficult for breakaways to form off the front of the peloton. All three riders sat in the peloton and waited for the sprint finish.
Pile-up on last lap
On the last lap, Tibbutt led Baker and Ebdon forward within the bunch to use their fast finishing skills in the sprint.
Unfortunately there was a huge crash with half a mile to go, which Ebdon got caught in it. He avoided injury by directing his bike towards a grass verge and landing softly to the side of the pile-up.
Baker and Tibbutt make the finish line
Baker and Tibbutt managed to avoid the crash and continue on to the finish. Coming out of the last corner, Tibbutt was near to the front of the bunch and finished in a strong 18th, with Baker coming 35th.
