Yeovil CC held their annual road races on Sunday, the Ham Hill and Pittards Trophy events. The Pittards race for 3rd and 4th category riders included entries from Pete Humphreys, Mike Smith, James Chant, Jay Hookins and Charles Rees, between them racing for GDW, Offcamber and Team Tor 2000.
Charles and Jay were at the sharp end of the 80-strong field throughout the 45 mile race, which started steadily until reaching the Coppitts Hill climb for the first time. After a couple of very optimistic early solo getaways, eventually a small group of riders got a gap on the bunch which they held until the end. Team Tor’s Dave Gorton won the sprint to the line from these leaders in 1 hour 52 minutes.
Charles sprinted home at the head of what was left of the main bunch to grab 10th on the line, with Jay just a couple of places behind. The remaining riders came home in small groups and dribs and drabs.
Mike Smith had lost contact during the final lap and finished alone a few minutes down. James Chant had lost touch at around 15 miles, unable to hold the high speed during the tailwind sections of the course. James latched on to a small group who had already been dropped but eventually retired at the 30 mile mark. Pete Humphreys was a non-starter due to recent illness.
The 60 miles E/1/2 cat Ham Hill race was won by Felt-Colborne rider Matt Higgins in 2 hours 17 minutes.
There were various photographers out on the course, check out Graham Robins’ and Charles Whitton’s websites, or Ann Owens Flickr page
The next local road race of note is TLI’s Sandie Radford Memorial on the New Forest. Open to all categories of riders, the parcours is a hilly route using much of the same roads the the Downton Two Day Classic.
Pre-entry needs to be in this week, it costs £8 for members, £12 for non-members, £15 on the day, cheques made out to the organiser.
Entry to Glenn Longland, 32 Testlands Avenue, Nursling, Southampton, SO16 0XG.
It’s not too late to join TLI to get the cheaper entry, send in your form to Glenn as well. Membership cost has been lowered for 2013 to £10. As well as reduced fees for this event, you get cheaper entry to the Moreton evening crits, the Downton autumn race and the TLI National TT Champs which are in our area this year. Not only that, you’ll be supporting an organisation that does a lot to promote cycling and cycle sport at a grass roots level.
Forms and info here
