Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team riders Matt Allsopp and Kev Chant raced in the 2nd cat E12 event at Goodwood recently and succeeded in securing a 1st and 2nd place result, something the pair have been aiming for since they started racing together.
With a field of 40+ riders they started their race chasing down a few early attacks. A few attempts were made to break away from the main group but the split wasn’t successful until the last third of the race when the pace was taken up to catch a solo rider who was getting a big gap on the bunch. Once caught the pair work well covering moves.
With half a lap to go, the duo attacked the leading group taking 1 rider with them. The unwanted rider soon fell off the back giving the Isle of Wight pairing a comfortable lead going into the finish straight. It was Kev out front as they crossed the line to take the win in style.
Goodwood 3rd Cat Race
Also racing at Goodwood, this time in the 3rd cat race, were the Island duo of Jerry Cooper and Kev Foster.
A fine and sunny day saw a good field of riders start the 50 minute race. Within minutes, various teams took turns to try to split the field but due to what felt like a headwind for the whole circuit nothing stuck.
Foster and Cooper took turns to cover the moves. The pace increased for the final lap with the 2 Wightlink riders working their way forward but Foster had to ease off the pace with cramp.
Jerry had to continue to the line finishing just outside the points with Foster safely in the bunch.
Portsmouth Track 3rd Cat Race
Russell Thomson travelled over to Portsmouth on Wednesday 10th July for a solo mission in the 3rd cat race.
The race was on from the gun with a full field of riders. Thomson tried to ride a smart race keeping out of the wind and using other teams to cover attacks.
4 riders got away mid-race and looked to stay away until the bunch got organised and decided to chase. The breakaway was brought back with 5 laps to go ensuring a bunch sprint.
The pace ramped up for the last 2 laps, with Thomson surfing wheels to get well positioned for the sprint. Coming into the last corner Thomson was the second wheel but couldn’t quite make it past the lead rider finishing in a well earned 2nd place.
Island Games Gibraltar
Team riders Clint Oliver and James Veal, along with guest riders Joe Staunton and George Corbin, returned from the Island Games in Gibraltar this week. Both competed in 3 events which consisted of a Town Criterium, Time Trial and Road Race.
The fields consisted of national champions and commonwealth medalists and ex-world champions, as well as both current and passed professional riders.
The Town Criterium was 1 hour of a 1-and-a-half mile circuit around the Gibraltar Town Center. James finished in the lead bunch but unfortunately, Joe Staunton crashed out – although he held in until the finish just behind the main bunch. George Corbin closely followed with Clint Oliver just behind.
The Time Trial was the hardest of the 3 events which included 2 laps along the coast before a 3km climb up the iconic Gibraltar Rock, which had parts exceeding an ascent of 20%. George Corbin did an incredible time of 41.30, Joe Staunton 41.57, James Veal 42.20 and Clint Oliver 45.48.
Finally, the Road Race was held along the East Coast of Gibraltar which consisted of a short sharp climb and a longer climb through a tunnel – repeated 10 times on an out and back circuit. Riders faced hot conditions with strong headwinds.
The stronger riders slowed the pace in the first climb and then attacked, splitting the field immediately. Joe Staunton managed to hold onto a break of 4 riders followed by James Veal in the lead bunch. Clint Oliver was in another bunch of 4 riders just behind. George Corbin was unable to finish.
Joe Staunton finished 21st, James Veal 24th and Clint Oliver 34th. Overall the cycling team came 7th overall out of the 15 other islands.
