Round 7 - Aston Down
An overcast and windy night greated the riders for the final round of the 2009 Cotswold League at Aston Down airfield (home of the Cotswold Gliding Club) promoted by the Las Vegas Institute of Sport. With the outer road getting worse in some places, last years course was shorterned to miss out the worst section - and at the same time remove the long tailwind section down the main runway.
With the riders on the start line waiting to go, the rain that had been threatening all day finally arrived - meaning everyone was keen to get things underway!! The first group of 24 riders set off, hoping to stay away, followed two and a half minutes later by a good sized (16 rider) middle group. After the previous years failure to catch, the scratch group's gap was reduced to one and a half minutes (still too long for those still standing in the cold), and with some class riders (including league green jersey Wayne Combes) it looked like they should catch the other groups if they worked well together.
With two of the eight laps completed, the scratch group had closed in just 20 seconds on the middle group - maybe it wasn't going to be their year yet again... But just two laps later the wind had taken it's toll on the front two groups and the gaps had tumbled, with all three groups taking up about 150m on the road. Shortly after, they all came together and it wasn't long before the riders from the scratch group showed everyone how it's done. With a group of four going clear containing Grant Bayton (Sports Beans), Lee Davies (Pinarello RT), Ian Packer (VC Montpellier) and league leader Wayne Combe (also VC Montpellier). And these four were never to be seen again!
Coming into the finish, Grant Bayton jumped clear for the lone win - giving him plently of time to sit up and salute those watching. He was followed in by Lee Davies with Wayne Combes coming home in third to score maximum points as the first of the Cotswold League riders to cross the line. With Ian Packer crossing the line in 4th, and jumping up to joint 3rd overall in the league standings.
The main bunch was lead him by fast finishing youngster Callum Lister (Corinium CC).
Following the racing, the important part of the evening could get started. With the final league prize presentation and (much more importantly) league BBQ taking place at the gliding club. Once again, the Cotswold Gliding Club donated a free trial flight to the league winner - so many thanks to them.
Our thanks go to the league sponsors (Performance Cycles and Fernando Carvalho Custom Clothing ) - and also to the Cotswold Gliding Club for letting us use the airfield once again.
Results:
1. Grant Bayton (Sports Beans)
2. Lee Davies (Pinarello RT)
3. Wayne Combes (VC Montpellier) 10
4. Ian Packer (VC Montpellier) 9
5. Callum Lister (Corinium CC) 8
6. Pete Hutchinson (Corinium CC) 7
7. Graham Brookhouse (VC Montpellier) 6
8. Ian McInnes (VC Montpellier) 5
9. Garry Clark (Banjo Cycles)
10. David Saunders (Climb on Bikes)
11. Martin Watkins (Glos City CC) 4
12. Ian Penton-Voak (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) 3
13. David Wadsworth
14. Lee King (Beeline Bikes)
15. Rupert Denny (Team Swift)
16. Steve Yates (Corinium CC) 2
17. Allan Loudon (Swindon RC) 1
19. Scott McArdle (Chelt & County CC)
20. David White (VC Mont)
21. Andrew Wilcox (Las Vegas Institute of Sport/PerformanceCycles.co.uk)
22. Les Liddard (Team Endura, 24/7, Thule, MI Racing)
23. Michael Gray (Swindon RC)
24. Niel Dunnage (Swindon RC)
25. John Barnes (Glos City CC)
26. Gerry McGarr (Diamond-hf.com)
27. Jon Pain (VC Mont)
28. Colin Mattinson (VC Mont)
29. Andy Roberts (Evans Cycles RT)
30. Mark Roderick (Glos City CC)
31. Simon Willis (VC Mont)
32. Mike Horsman (Glos City CC)
33. Andy Smith (Swindon RC)
34. Graham Denny (Glos City CC)
35. Claire Smith (Swindon RC) - 1st Lady
36. Sharon Dolman (Swindon RC)
37. Dennis White (Bristol RC)
38. Rob Muir (Las Vegas Institute of Sport/PerformanceCycles.co.uk)
39. Nick Warmsley (Corinium CC)
Final Overall:
1. Wayne Coombs (VC Montpellier) 38
2. Kurt Green (VC Montpellier) 20
3. Andy Wilcox (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) 18
Ian Packer (VC Montpellier) 18
5. Graham Brookhouse (VC Montpellier) 17
6. Martin Watkins (Gloucester City CC) 14
7. Scott McArdle (Cheltenham & County CC) 13
8. William Kembury (Cheltenham & County CC) 11
Iain McInnes (VC Montpellier) 11
10. Jon Pain (VC Montpellier) 10
Marcus Eales (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) 10
12. Nick Mason (Swindon RC) 9
Crispin Doyle (Swindon RC) 9
Mark Roderick (Gloucester City CC) 9
Steve Yates (Corinium CC) 9
16. Ian Alexander (Cheltenham & County CC) 8
Callum Lister (Corinium CC) 8
18. Dave White (VC Montpellier) 7
John Barnes (Gloucester City CC) 7
Pete Hutchinson (Corinium CC) 7
21. Graham Denny (Gloucester City CC) 6
Ian Penton (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) 6
23. Neil Biggs (VC Montpellier) 5
Nick Walmsley (Corinium CC) 5
25. Andrew Lowe (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) 4
26. Sam Rule (Cheltenham & County CC) 3
Ian Penton-Voak (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) 3
28. Rupert Denny (Gloucester City CC) 2
Andrew Graff (Cheltenham & County CC) 2
Paul Crossley (Cheltenham & County CC) 2
31. Nick Stephen (Swindon RC) 1
Jon Rawlings (VC Montpellier) 1
Allan Loudon (Swindon RC) 1
Final Team Classification:*
1. VC Montpellier 93
2. Las Vegas Institute of Sport 38
3. Gloucester City CC 36
4. Cheltenham & County CC 35
5. Corinium CC 29
6. Swindon RC 20
(* Top 4 from each team)
Round 6 - Chedworth
Cheltenham and County Cycling Club hosted round 6 of the Cotswold Cycle Racing League's 2009 championship. Held on the tough Chedworth-Whiteway-Calmsden circuit in the heart of the Cotswold hills, over 40 riders signed on for what promised to be 28 miles of very hard racing.
First off were the novices, Vets and Junior riders. A 4 minute gap was given to the middle group where Cheltenham based VC Montpellier and Las Vegas based Las Vegas Institute of Sport were well represented. Then came the scratch group who were given an additional 5 minute gap to close. This group of Elite and other experienced riders knew they were in for a hard night's work in the dry but blustery conditions with a full 9 minute gap from the front to the back of the race.
Series leader going into the Cheltenham event was Wayne Coombs (VC Montpellier) who had an 8 point lead to defend over team mate and defending Cotswold league champion Kurt Green, with Cheltenham & County CC's race organiser Will Kembery looking to consolidate his 3rd place overall. Other notable riders were Lee Davis (Pinarello RT) winner of the previous CCRL round, in-form Nic Tilling (GWR Team) and former double winners at Chedworth in previous editions of the race Grant Bayton (Sport Beans-Wilier) and Ian Alexander (Cheltenham and County CC). Last year's winner Duncan Jamieson was a non-starter.
Cheltenham and County CC chairman, event time keeper and former winner in 2001, Tim Sluman waved away the Scratch group at 7:10pm and the chase was on. Quickly getting into a rhythm, the scratch group set about the task, and the race was less than a lap old before the pressure started to tell as the vicious pace set by the Elite riders in the scratch group had some riders in trouble with speeds hitting over 40mph on the downhill stretches of the Whiteway. Tellingly at the end of the first lap a massive 3:10sec had been carved off the gap to the head of the race, but could the pace be maintained...
Drama unfolded half way round the second lap as the pressure began to tell on the championship favourites, when Green on the front of the scratch group, left his braking too late and running too fast into the tight left hander at the bottom of the Whiteway he was forced to pick the bike up and head for the escape road through an open gate into the adjoining field. It cost him his place in the group though, as the remaining riders were in no mood to wait around while Green extracted himself from the flora. This meant that Green was now almost certain to loose his second position in the championship, unless the front groups could hold out.
Up front, the second group had made good time and had by now joined together with the front group, who were being marshalled by the irrepressible former top road-man Gerry McGarr (Diamond H-F.com). As the bell rang out the Scratch group were still 2:15 in arrears. The prospect of a nail-biting finish was coming into play. Could the Scratch group find the speed to make up the time? In theory no, as from the 14 who started they were down to just Coombs, Bayton, Tilling, Davis, Alexander, Scott Chamers (SIS) and Ian Packer (VC Montpellier).
At the finish the sizable crowd waited to see if the race had come together, but no, a strong ride by the front group of riders saw Mark Hughes (VC Bristol) beat Marcus Eales (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) to the line, with Lewis King (Beeline Bikes) rounding out the top three.
The Scratch Group threw in the towel with 2 miles remaining after getting a time check of 1:30. Coombs led them in for 21st place just 50 seconds down at the finish, for once, the handicapping going the way of the front groups.
This keeps the race for the 2009 championship well and truly alive. With the Scratch group riders failing to score points, Kurt Green is still in with a mathematical chance. It's all goes down to the series finale at Aston Down Airfield on the 14th July.
Results:
1. Mark Hughes (VC Bristol)
2. Marcus Eales (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) 10
3. Lewis King (Beeline Bikes)
4. Andrew Wilcox (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) 9
5. Mark Roderick (Gloucester City) 8
6. John Barnes (Gloucester City) 7
7. Ian Penton (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) 6
8. Phil Landray (Leisure Lakes)
9. Scott McArdle (Cheltenham & County CC) 5
10. Graham Brookhouse (VC Montpellier) 4
11. David Wadsworth (VowH CC)
12. Sam Rule (Cheltenham & County CC) 3
13. Andrew Graff (Cheltenham & County CC) 2
14. Lee King
15. Jon Rawlings (VC Montpellier) 1
16. Nick Mason (Swindon RC)
17. Steve Hill (VC Montpellier)
18. Nick Wamsley (Corinium CC)
19. Gerry McGrarr (Diamond.hf.com)
20. Michael Horsman (Gloucester City)
21. Wayne Coombs (VC Montpellier)
22. Nic Tilling (GWR Team)
23. Lee Davis (Pinarello RT)
24. Scott Chalmers (SIS)
25. Ian Alexander (Cheltenham & County CC)
Round 5 - Aldbourne
A warm summer evening greeted the riders for the fith round of the league held at Aldbourne and promoted by Swindon Road Club. The circuit feature a long 3km climb to be tackled four times - ensuring a worthy winner.
A good turnout meant riders could be split evenly across the front two groups with a few less in the scratch group which again featured a couple of Elite riders. Each group were set off with 3 minutes advantage to the next. With the long straight climb coming immediately after the start the groups set about working to stay away from the next.
At the end of the first lap the scratch group, driven along by Davis, Coombs and Doyle, made contact with the middle group and passed them half way up the second ascent of the climb. Most managed to hang on before the real fireworks started when the front group was caught. This happened at the end of the next lap and it was here Davis put the pressure on dispatching most of the followers leaving a group of seven at the front.
With the finish only a lap away Davis sensed the best action was to be off the front and attacked on the descent back into Aldbourne. The others in the front group hesistated and he soon built up an advantage. Behind Bayton and Coombs eventually went in pursuit though Chalmers and Doyle did a great job to reel them back in. The group continued to attack each other and Packer did his best to keep things together for his two team-mates.
This left Davis ahead to take a great solo win. Behind Doyle opened the sprint for second early though faded on the long drag to the finish line. Bayton put in a big effort though Coombs timed his effort to perfection pipping him on the line.
Results:
1. Lee Davis (Pinarello RT)
2. Wayne Coombs (VC Montpellier) 10
3. Grant Bayton (Sports Beans / Wilier)
4. Scott Chalmers (SIS)
5. Crispin Doyle (Swindon RC) 9
6. Ian Packer (VC Montpellier) 8
7. Kurt Green (VC Montpellier) 7
8. Iain McInnes (VC Montpellier) 6
9. Will Kembury (Cheltenham & County CC) 5
10. Steve Yates (Corinium CC) 4
11. Dave White (VC Montpellier) 3
12. Rupert Denny (Gloucester City CC) 2
13. Nick Stephen (Swindon RC) 1
14. Jeff Smith (Swindon RC)
15. Garry Clarke (Banjo Cycles)
16. Iain Bullam (Valley CC)
17. Bob Tyrrell (Dursley RC)
18. Graham Brookhouse (VC Montpellier)
19. A Nicholls (Team Kennet)
20. Neil Hancock (Swindon RC)
Round 4 - Staunton
[Photos]
Gloucester City CC hosted the next round of the league taking place on a short circuit around Staunton. It was a sunny and warm evening which provided perfect conditions for the race.
With a good turnout spread evenly across the three groups the race look set to be a fast one. The front group were given 4 minutes to the second with a further 3 and a half minutes to the scratch group, which contained a couple of Elite riders. The total entry was 55 riders.
With all groups working well it took a few laps before the scratch group caught sight of the second group. Once they made contact the inevitable attacks started - mainly by local club VC Montpellier who had a big presence. Their two Elite riders Pain and Coombs eventually broke clear and set about catching the remnants of the first group. With 5 laps to go the gap was still around 2 minutes.
With 3 laps to go they made contact and earned a well deserved rest whilst readying themselves for the finale. Meanwhile behind a splinter group of 5 formed containing Packer, Crossley, Hutchinson, Biggs and last years winner Green, eager not to let the leaders jersey slip beyond his grasp. Try as they might they couldn't quite close the final 30 seconds to the leaders.
At the finish Pain sprinted to the win with Combs next followed in by the evervesent verteran McGarr.
Primes on the 3rd lap won by Andy Kirk of (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) and 6th lap won Graham Denny (Gloucester City CC).
Results:
1. Jon Pain (VC Montpellier) 10
2. Wayne Coombs (VC Montpellier) 9
3. Gerry McGarr (Diamond Health & Fitness)
4. Scott McArdle (Cheltenham & County CC) 8
5. Andrew Wilcox (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) 7
6. Dave Saunders (Climb On Bikes)
7. Graham Denny (Gloucester City CC) 6
8. Nick Walmsley (Corinium CC) 5
9. Bob Tyrrell (Dursley RC)
10. Andrew Lowe (Las Vegas Institute of Sport) 4
11. Michael Greaves (Wye Valley CC)
12. Colin Lambourne (Climb on bikes)
13. Garry Slater (Severn CC)
14. Iain Bullar (Wye Valley CC)
15. Kurt Green (VC Montpellier) 3
16. Paul Crossley (Cheltenham & County CC) 2
17. Ian Packer (VC Montpellier) 1
18. Pete Hutchinson (Corinium CC)
19. Neil Biggs (VC Montpellier)
20. George Unsworth (Gloucester City CC)
Round 3 - Castle Combe
The third round of the Cotswold Cycles Racing League took place on 18th June as part of the Castle Combe Summer Series. 101 seniors signed on with a huge contingent of 4th cats. Many of the “big hitters” were missing from the E/1/2 group and for once the 4ths seemed keen to race hard and see if they could stay away. The 4ths were caught first time by the E/1/2 who were effectively unlapping themselves and didn’t seem to pull away as quickly as usual.
This had the effect of dragging a group of 15 or so 4th cats away from the rest of their group who settled down to a workmanlike approach to maintaining a sizeable gap. The E/1/2 group caught everyone else in front and managed to almost catch the 4ths, failing by no less than about 20 seconds at the end of the event. For once the 4ths held on to contest the event with young Jess Wieckowski (Halesowen C & AC) easily winning the sprint from Don Pearce RAF CC and Martin Watkins Gloucester City CC (taking first place on the night of the Cotswold League element of the event).
A few moans could be heard from the E/1/2/ group as they hadn’t managed to “take control” as usual. However, it’s good for the 4ths to gain a result and to prove that if they work hard, they can stay away and reap the rewards of scoring points. Why should the E/1/2 guys win every week?
Results:
1. Jess Wieckowski (Halesowen C & AC)
2. Don Pearce (RAF CC)
3. Martin Watkins (Gloucester City CC) 10
4. George Rowntree (Bath CC)
5. Nick Mason (Swindon RC) 9
6. Phil Curtis-Whitfield (VC Bristol)
7. Dave Wadsworth (Beeline Cycles)
8. Hannah Rich (Pinarello RT CandiTV)
9. Les Liddiard (Team Endura MI racing)
10. Mark Hardie (Dream CC)
Round 2 - Winchcombe
After the first round was cancelled due to flooding it was almost a repeat situation as the thunder echoed across the sky around Winchcombe. Luckily though the flash flooding that plagued the rest of Gloucestershire didn't quite materialise.
The riders set off in three groups as usual and all set about working well despite the conditions. After two laps the second and scratch group had joined forces and it wasn't long before they caught the remnants of the first group. Shortly after this a group of five escaped including last years overall winner Green.
He was joined by Bayton, Jamieson, Coombs and Alexander and they held a narrow advantage until the finish. Alexander made a bid for victory on the last lap though the break didn't give him much time and Coombs did some strong work to pull it back together before the finish climb.
Bayton led out the sprint and managed to hold on to the line narrowly beating Jamieson with Green not far behind.
The bunch sprint was more compact with Brookhouse taking it on the line followed by Kembury.
Results:
1. Grant Bayton (Sports Beans)
2. Duncan Jamieson (Felt RC)
3. Kurt Green (VC Montpellier) 10
4. Wayne Coombs (VC Montpellier) 9
5. Ian Alexander (Cheltenham & County CC) 8
6. Graham Brookhouse (VC Montpellier) 7
7. William Kembury (Cheltenham & County CC) 6
8. Neil Biggs (VC Montpellier) 5
9. Adam Gellatly (Epic Viner RT)
10. Dave White (VC Montpellier) 4
11. Lewis King (Beeling Bicycles RT)
12. Steve Yates (Corinium CC) 3
13. Dave Hayward
14. Andrew Wilcox (LVIS) 2
15. Mark Roderick (Gloucester City CC) 1
16. Bob Tyrrell (Dursley RC)
17. Pete Hutchinson (Corinium CC)
18. James Smith (VC Montpellier)
19. Phil Landry (Leisure Lakes)
20. Sam Rule (Cheltenham & County CC)
Round 1 - Down Ampney
Cancelled due to flooding.
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