Cycling club stages team race nights

WELLAND Valley Cycling Club is back racing at Bruntingthorpe Airfield and Proving Ground, writes Chris Dainty.

The club staged the first of four Team Race Nights at the track, thanks to its partnership with Bruntingthorpe operators Cox Automotive.

More than 50 riders competed in three races over a 1.5-mile circuit.

The A race saw victory for the Hans van Nierop team (Hans, Dom Switzer, Ed Grandidge, Matt Plews, James Moore, Cameron Potter, Austin Smith and David Styring) over Phil Rayner’s team by 240pts to 228pts.

Ed Grandidge powered his way to individual victory, taking the chequered flag ahead of a battling Josh van Nierop after the two broke away from the pack at the start of the race.

Individual sprint lap winners were Ed Grandidge, Josh van Nierop and Chris Orfeur.

The B race was won by Team Durnin (Jon Durnin, Mark Chapman, Roger Kocklebergh, Chris Dainty, Sarah Mee and Ian Murdey) on 171pts followed by Team Clarke (154pts), Team Dawkins (149pts) and Team Waterfield (126pts).

Race winner was Jon Durnin and sprint lap winners were Eleanor Humphries, Jon Durnin and Rhys Thomas.

In the C race, victory went to Charlie Simpson’s team (Charlie, Steve Kettlewell and Ruby Isaac) by 140pts to 103pts over John Welsford’s band of brothers.

Steve Kettlewell took the individual honours, with the sprint laps won by Steve, Charlie Simpson and Dennis Smith.

Meanwhile, the club’s final 10-mile time trial of the season on the A6 Kibworth course was won by Tim Smith in 21 mins 50 secs; followed by Hans van Nierop in 22 mins and Gary Roberts in 22.03.

Adam Robinson was the quickest road biker in 24.27. He was chased home by Chris Orfeur 24.29 and Simon Dixey 24.44.

Linda Hubbard was the fastest lady in 25.16.