News - June 2008
Tuesday 10th June - Hilly circuit series underway
The Andover Wheelers hilly circuit series got underway
recently with a 14 mile time trial around the roads to the north of
The following week saw a return to the fast 10 mile course that starts and finishes near to Thruxton race circuit. Good conditions were reflected in some great times by a lot of the riders. Simon Hall, having rode a 100 mile time trial the previous Sunday, produced his best 10 mile time for 3 seasons with 22mins 54secs and the ever improving Hefin Richards very nearly beat the 25 minute mark by riding a personal best time of 25mins 08secs. Ex Continental Pro rider, Harry Lodge, has started to get back on his bike more after a long lay off and showed his class by recording a time of 22mins 43secs in what was his first '10' for many years! Fastest club rider on the night was Simon Healey in a time of 21mins 18secs and the fastest rider overall was Lee Tunnicliffe with a 30mph ride of 19mins 58secs.
Article courtesy of Stuart Thompson
As most of you are aware there are quite a few Wheelers road racing now, and we would just like you to know how they are getting on. There is a regular crowd of at least 4 normally racing but numbers have been as many as 11 at the weekends, like this weekend just gone. We are bringing on the youth cycling within the club with at least 5 youths regularly turning up at races, which I'm sure the Thursday night training sessions are helping with.
Gregg James came 2nd gaining 8 points towards his 3rd Cat licence at the Mountbatten Centre which is outstanding for his first season. Even his daughter has had a go at Castle Combe winning her 1st race in her Cat. Gregg only needs two points for his 3rd.
Stuart Thompson's best result this season was also at the Mountbatten Centre with a third place and he too hopes to have his 2nd Cat licence by the end of the season. He has 16 points and needs 24 more. Cameron is regularly winning his Category and is ranked 8th Nationally. He is hoping to hold this position until the end of the year
The Webbers are having a great season with Max now gaining his 3rd Cat Junior Licence giving up his top 10 placing Nationally in the U16 Youths. Max regularly sacrifices himself for other team mates to help them with a top placing - he is an excellent team player. Mitch is regularly finishing high in his races and is ranked 28th Nationally which is excellent considering he is one of the youngest riders in his group. Jedd is also ranked 22nd Nationally and is regularly finishing in a top place at the Mountbatten Centre. Dad, Mike could not restrain himself from dusting the cobwebs off his bike too and is now having a go. No top results yet but a very loud cheer when he finishes!
The Halls are having a good season also. Simon has gained 5 points already and even competed in the Regional RR championships. Brave man! Emily leads the way for the girls regularly winning her Category and has 17 points and is ranked 12th Nationally. Alex has 12 points and is ranked 12th which will be the one to watch for the future.
Oliver Pritchard who is a 3rd Cat Junior is doing extremely well at racing with the adults and is regularly off the front or chasing down. No points yet but they will come.
Its nice to see novices like Mark Skeates having a go and being able to stick in there with some quick riders. Its early days yet for Mark but if he keeps going the way he is he will have his 3rd Cat by the end of the season.
Its really nice to see so many Wheelers Road and Circuit Racing, Adults and Youths and its also nice to have a bit of a banter too when we go to these events. The more the merrier!
If anyone else wants to have a go at Road Racing, more information can be found at http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/bchome/home.asp or contact Stuart at smtaerials@yahoo.co.uk
Article courtesy of Mike Webber
Another good training session tonight with the youngsters (and Lizzy!!)
30 minutes of steady thru and off followed by each rider having to lap the group one at a time (which is harder than it appears before you have a go at it!!). All riders are cornering well at speed, even Lizzy managed it towards the end without putting her brakes on!
Finally, a 1 lap TT, times as follows:-
Jed Webber - 1min 16secs
Mitchell Webber - 1min 07secs
Hamish Pike - 1min 07secs
Daniel Hobson - 1min 02secs
Lizzy Yates - 1min 09secs
David Pike - 1min 00secs
Article courtesy of Mike Webber
Simon Healey is organising an Autumn Tour over 3 days at the end of September (see attached poster). Looks like a good end of season wind down so if anyone is interested in taking part can they please either contact Simon direct or Mike Webber. Details here.
Article courtesy of Mike Webber
The Andover Wheelers have had some of their largest ever turnouts for recent road races with results to match! 13 riders took part in the popular Mountbatten races at Portsmouth and local 'legend' Gregg James finally walked the walk by sprinting his way to a fantastic 2nd place in the 4th Cat race and his first points of the season. The supporting 3rd Cat race saw Stuart Thompson get ever closer to his 2nd Cat Licence by crossing the line in 3rd place. Stuart had good support from Simon Hall and junior riders Ollie Pritchard, who unfortunately punctured going into the final lap, and Max Webber who led out the race for the final two laps to get Thompson in the prime position for the final sprint. In the youth events Alex Foster (U8) and Emily Foster (U12 Girl) both won their races, Mitch Webber (U14) finished 3rd with Cameron Thompson and Jed Webber (U12) finished in 2nd and 4th.
The following week saw another 14 riders compete in the local circuit races at Thruxton with more success. Again, youth riders Alex and Emily Foster won their events with Jed Webber having one of his best races to finish in 2nd place in the U12's. In the main adult 3rd Cat race Ollie Pritchard, Max Webber, Stuart Thompson and Simon Hall were all active in the bunch. The tough circuit proves to be difficult for anyone to get away and it came down to a big bunch sprint! Youngster Pritchard found his sprinting legs to finish in an excellent 6th place with Hall, who had also ridden a 25 mile time trial that morning, finishing just behind him in 10th. But it was the 4th Cat race that proved how teamwork can bring success with six riders taking part. Simon Healey tried his hand at road racing and was just as successful by getting into a break of three riders that stayed away to the finish. Team mates Ian Knight, Mike Webber, Mark Skeates, Gregg James, Jamie Shearer and Junior rider Daniel Hobson all countered any riders who tried to get across to the three leaders. Healey finished in a fantastic 3rd place and Ian Knight had enough left in the tank to take 6th place overall in the final sprint. A special mention must go out to Daniel Hobson and Jamie Shearer who were competing in their first road race and did extremely well to contest the final bunch sprint. A great effort by all the Wheelers which bodes well for the future!
.JPG)
Article courtesy of Stuart Thompson
There are a few additional Circuit Races in the South just came onto the British Cycling Website.
30/06/08 Upavon Summer series 3/4th Cat 1Hr plus 3 laps And every Monday for 7weeks
06/07/08 Thruxton Cir 3rd Cat 35mls 4th(Kit Kat!) Cat 25mls
27/07/08 South Div Cir Champs (Think this is at Thruxton) 3/4th Cat 35mls
09/08/08 Barnsfield Heath Saturday Race 3/4 Cat 25mls (Cracking Circuit, well recommended!)
14/09/08 Omega Thruxton Circuits Forget it Stuart needs you for Marshalling at the Weyhill Weekend!
05/10/08 South Cir League Thruxton 3rd Cat 35mls 4th Cat(Kit Kat!) 25mls
And don't forget from now every Wednesday at Portsmouth 3/4th Cat 40mins plus 3 laps until 13/08/08
More info at http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/eve/eventsfuture.asp do a search on South Road Races or contact Stuart at smtaerials@yahoo.co.uk