Great comeback for Mick after nasty crash
A HINCKLEY cyclist has added yet another British cycling championship medal to his ever-increasing tally.
Mike Twelves rode for the Coventrybased Team Jewson-MI Racing-Polypipe-McCann team when he took part in the TLI National Road Race Championships recently.
The 53-year old returned from a horrific smash to fight off competition in the 70-mile race in North Wales.
Twelves returned to the sport just five years ago after a 20-year break but since his return he has won countless championships.
Several months ago he suffered a major crash at the Derby Velodrome which saw him on crutches for several weeks, before bouncing back to win the British Veterans National 8km Track Championships.
On Sunday he showed his outstanding class once more with an fantastic display of attacking racing to win the TLI National Road Race Championships over a distance of 70 miles.
The event held in North Wales over a tough undulating course, attracted riders from all over the UK.
After only five miles, Twelves and three other riders broke clear, to be joined at the 40-mile mark by four other riders, but in the closing stages constant attacking by Twelves reduced the group to just himself and one other rider.
He easily dealt with them in the finishing sprint.
Twelves’ next big target will be the European Masters Track Championships in France, followed by the newlyinstalled Veteran Madison Championship at Derby Velodrome.
There was more success for the Coventry-based team when 78-year old team owner Mick Ives from Baginton, riding with 76-year old Murray Kirton (A5 Rangers) won the VTTA National 50-mile Tandem Championship.
The event was held in South Gloucestershire on a 3 3/4 very hilly circuit, made more difficult by a very strong wind that faced riders for 33 miles coupled with a very rough road surface.
Ives described it as “the toughest tandem race I have ever contested. We were both totally smashed after our efforts, there was no flat sections on the course, it was more, like a mountain time trial course, not one suited for tandems.”
This championship victory, brings Ives British Championships tally to a record-breaking 81, a figure that may never be beaten.
He has won the 10-mile, 25-mile, 30-mile and now the 50-mile tandem championships in recent years, as well as setting new age-related mational records.
These two national titles bring the total number of national championships won by Team Jewson-MI Racing during 2017 to nine, and there are still several more championships to be contested, before the end of the year.
This Sunday sees three charity cycle rides, open to anyone.
Coventry Olympic Group Sportive (COGS) will be organising three rides, starting and finishing at the Baginton Oak Pub, Baginton.
The 105 km starts at 9am (£15 entry fee), the 50km starts at 9.30am (£15) and a family ride, 20km (£10 or £25 for family) starting at 10am.
All routes will be signed, and route sheets provided. Bikewrench will be in attendance to check bikes if required.
Cash raised will go to support Zoe’s Place, Myton Hospice, and Warwick and Baginton Junior Football Team.
To enter visit www.cogs-sportives.co.uk