Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle RaceTeam members were in action on the mainland last week. On Tuesday, Jason Peach along with new signings Charis Jones and Jack Davies competed in #3 of the Goodwood Series. With a break of 2 riders up the road early on in the 4th Cat race, Jack dug in until the end and won the bunch sprint to take 3rd place and enough points for him to get his 3rd Cat license. In the handicap Women’s race, 4th Cat Charis was keen to improve on her performance from #2 and despite being up against some class E/1/2/3 riders, she stayed in the mix and pulled out a powerful sprint to take 6th place. 3rd Cat Jason Peach put in a strong performance but with a breakaway up the road and their teammates in the bunch not working to pull the gap back, he had to be content with a top-20 finish on the night. Charis Jones was in action again on Wednesday racing in #3 of the Portsmouth North End Cycling Club Mountbatten Summer Circuits Series. Charis started strong and was looking good for her first win after being a lap up on the field and winning the sprint prime. Sadly, a puncture put an end to her race with only a few laps to go. Charis says:
“My legs felt really good tonight so I’m disappointed not to have finished. I’m gaining more experience with every race so hopefully I’ll get the results I’m after this season. Thanks to Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries for their continued support”.
On Saturday, Juvenile rider Finley Manser-Grundy was in action in the Forest of Dean at the Little Fodder Downhill Races. Competing in the U8 category, Finley had a great first run but he sadly lost his chain on the 2nd run and he missed out on a podium by just half a second. Proud Dad, Jack, said after the race:
“Finley put in a fantastic performance and considering he’s still only 5 years old he did well to finish 4th out of 26 riders. He’s now looking forward to racing in the Southern XC MTB Races at Crow Hill in the New Forest tomorrow”.
On Sunday, the Team swept the board at the Southern XC MTB Races with a hat trick of wins. With the heavy overnight rain and early morning start the track was a slippery affair in parts. With some loamy climbs, boggy corners and a couple of flat fire roads the course was a good one. First up was Nicholas Earley who was gridded 2nd out of 67 riders in the Open Sport category. He had a good start and after the first lap slip and slide, he emerged from the woods in the front group of 5. Nick said:
“I’m really happy to eventually get a win at a round of the Southern XC, the track was good and suited me well. Thanks team sponsors Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries and Wight Mountain for getting us to races – I’m looking forward to the rest of the season“.
Nadia Lele, racing in the Women’s Sport category, brought home the 2nd win of the day. Ewan’s younger brother, Mackenzie Cook (Open Youth), and Finley Manser-Grundy (U10) were also racing. Mack had an uphill battle after being gridded at the back of the field and then had a bad start when he couldn’t get clipped in. He pushed on hard, chasing the bunch but then crashed into a tree which almost put an end to his race. Mack showed grit and determination to finish the race and came home in 16th place.
Nic pic at the top,completely blocking the road,stay on the mainland,twats
Cyclists are like Vaccines, a pain in the a@se.
Too right, cycling in the middle of the road and using a mobile phone .hope the authorities reprimand the lycra clad tosser.
It’s literally a closed road event. Stand down officer.
Hogging the roads again, why do cyclists cycle side by side
holding each others hands?!
Good work guys! Don’t let the borderline and full time T2 commenters get you down.
Losers the lot of them, do us a favor and stay over there!
Stay on the mainland they have cycle lanes cyclists use.
On the isle of Shite there are hardly any cycle lanes, and the few there are
Cyclists don’t even use.
The IW is “NOT” cycle friendly, it is years away from being cycle friendly.
Selfish, dangerous bastards, spread out across both lanes of a road.
Photographic proof, cyclists are idiots.
They are above the law.
It’s a closed road event that has raised tens of millions for charity* since its inception. Those selfish cyclists, eh?
*(Source: https://www.ridelondon.co.uk/news-and-media/latest-news/thousands-raised-as-riders-enjoy-ford-ridelondon-essex-events#:~:text=Raising%20money%20for%20charity,event%20and%20the%202023%20events.)
All cyclists should pay a Road fund fee to be on the road,
display a reg no. and cycle sensibly.
Stop at traffic lights
Don’t cycle side by side
Don’t break the speed limit
Don’t use phones whilst cycling