Stretch gets away in sprint finish
MACCLESFIELD Wheelers were out in force for the club’s annual promotion of the Parkinson Road Race, held over five laps of a circuit around Siddington, Lower Withington and Hulme Warfield.
Twelve Wheelers were on the start line with many more giving up their Sunday to stand out in the wind and the rain to marshall the event, or to help out with administration and refreshments.
Mike Stretch and Chris Quin scored an impressive one-two in the first of the three races, having been part of a six-man breakaway for most of the race.
Stretch, who doesn’t regard himself as a sprint specialist, went from a long way out on the uphill finish and just managed to hold off a rapidly closing Quin.
Ant Allan was eighth and Matt Lawton 12th.
In the second race, Mike Knudsen was 13th in his first road race, with Simon Morris 15th.
In the final race, Dave Higham missed the race-winning break but managed to get clear of the bunch with two other riders on the final lap to finish ninth. Mick O’Connor was unable to contest the bunch sprint because of cramp.
As the road cycling season enters its final couple of months, the Wheelers’ 10-mile and Hill Climb championships have been decided.
The 10-mile Championship is based on placings in the best seven events out of a possible 15.
In the handicap section, it was good to see one of the club’s newest recruits – Daisy Pickles – taking the honours ahead of two other new members, Malcom Fowler and Scott Wilson. Pickles reduced her best from more than 30 minutes at the start of the season, to just over 26 minutes by the end.
In the scratch competition, experienced roadmap Chris Quin showed that he can time trial just as well, scoring a perfect 140 points by winning all seven events he rode and joining the select group of riders who have beaten 22 minutes for the course.
Another new member, Oliver Johnstone was second and unlucky to have encountered Quin in such devastating form.
However, Johnstone can look back on a successful first season and a personal best of 22.56.
Third place was a tie between Ant Allan, another roadman turning his talents to time trialing, and evergreen veteran Roger Wrenn.
The Hill Climb Championship is decided by placings on the two very different climbs of Pyms Chair and the Cat and Fiddle.
Pyms Chair is a short but extremely steep climb, favouring the lighter rider, whereas the Cat is much longer, less steep and therefore advantages the more powerful rider.
Matt Lawton came out on top in both events with Allan (left) second overall and Ben Trotter third.
Pickles added to her palmares by beating Laura Maguire in the Ladies section.
Alex Taylor returned to time trailing this season after a serious back injury and completed his first 50-mile event at the weekend.
He could have chosen an easier event than the Congleton CC promotion, which was held over three laps of the testing Chelford circuit, and conditions were made harder by the strong wind.
Taylor did excellently to record 2hr 12.44min. ALL registered members of the Macclesfield Bowling Association are invited to enter the Neckwear Cup competition, to be held on Sunday, August 31 at Macclesfield Bowling Club, Victoria Road.
This is a mixed competition and entries to be made as individuals. Start time is 10am.
To enter contact Viv Hampton on 01625 511115 by 6pm on Thursday, August 28.
MACC & DISTRICT BOWLING ASS’N TABLES