Thanks to Jack for this latest report from the Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team,
Four members of Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team travelled to Thruxton for the seventh Behind the Bike Shed Summer Series.
Matt Allsopp, Ian Hayden and Stuart Waite lined up with 71 other riders in the third category race of nine laps; and James Ebdon started a minute ahead in the Elite, first and second category race of 12 laps with 40 riders.
Strength shone through
From the start of the third category race there were riders trying to breakaway from the main group which Hayden chased down taking Waite and Allsopp to the front. Here the three Wightlink-LCM riders showed their strength and soon had the race under control.
This lasted until an attack from four riders broke away, Allsopp decided to jump across, while Hayden and Waite slowed the main bunch down, but with more riders jumping across to the break, away the speed slowed instead of increased.
Break away
Allsopp and another rider made another break away riding the last six laps on their own, and the two soon lapped the fourth cat race and had the E12s in sight.
The final lap it came down to a sprint and Allsopp powered through to take his first win of the season. Waite finished third in the bunch sprint and Hayden rolled in in the top 15.
James Ebdon’s race in the 12 lap E12 was a more frenetic affair. The first lap was slow then attacks came from many different riders, including Ebdon.
The Wightlink-LCM rider put himself in a break with seven others and got a gap for a lap, but in the end nothing came of it. Eventually six riders did get away, and Ebdon sprinted with the remainder of the peloton to take a top-15 finish.
Redbridge cycling centre
On Saturday 20th June, Stuart Waite and Ian Hayden of the Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team travelled to Redbridge cycling centre to take part in the third category circuit race of one hour plus five laps.
Soon after the start Waite was off the front in an early two man break with another rider but was brought back by a chasing bunch.
Hayden and Waite then attacked again with another rider and soon had a substantial lead, which was highlighted by their overtaking of the slower lapped fourth category race.
However, in an unbelievable turn of events, the three-man breakaway was told to sit up and allow the chasing pack to catch-up as they were apparently stuck behind the slower fourth category bunch.
With four laps to go Waite punctured and despite all the confusion Hayden still managed to finish in a well-earned eighth place.
Image: © Matt Allsopp by Elz Lloyd
