East Lancs riders enjoy busy week
IN the senior 2/3/4 race the East Lancs was represented by Paul Ashworth and Ben Trippier who finished a fast race in 14th and sixth respectively in a mass bunch sprint for the line.
The following day saw Jack Millar take part in the Under-16 boys’ Skipton town centre criterium race, which was part of the HSBC UK National Circuit Series.
In a top-class field Jack held his own but the fast pace around the town centre took its toll and Jack had to settle for the lower placings on this occasion, but with the promise of better times ahead.
East Lancs riders played their part in the circuit racing at Colne last Thursday, trying to generate a break away but it proved to be an uneventful night with bunch sprint and moderate placings to all riders.
On Saturday the riders were racing on another closed road circuit at Salt Eyre in Lancaster.
Paul Ashworth warmed up in the 3/4 Cat race with seventh place in the bunch sprint, then he joined Ben Trippier and Oliver Huszar in the E/1/2/3 Cat race in a very fast race but nevertheless another bunch sprint in which the riders came 13th, 16th and 27th overall.
The club’s time trialling performers were out in limited numbers last weekend with Dave Ireland competing in the Sherwood CC event on the A10/14A course based on the fast A50 dual carriageway near Derby.
Dave recorded a season best 23:50 mins and Dave Trippier rode in the Nova CC 25 mile time trial on the J4/8 course in Cheshire where conditions were warm and windy but he recorded a creditable 1:07:30 mins.
There were the usual Saturday Beginners Ride and the Sunday Social club rides both well attended, but on Sunday it was also the Manchester to Blackpool Sportive Ride which the East Lancs always support in numbers and this year was no different with about 20 riders taking part.
Starting at 7.30am from the Imperial War Museum on Salford Quays the club group set off amongst several hundred other riders and it was no surprise when everyone became lost in the crowd of riders and separated from each other.
However all the riders successfully made it to Blackpool, with particular credit going to mother and daughter Julie and Nicole Decamps who both completed the 75mile ride for their longest ride bike rides to date.
Last Tuesday at the Tameside Racing Circuit, East Lancs Youth rider Ben Slater made his debut ride.
The 12-year-old got stuck into his ride in the Youth race and soon got used to the circuit.
The race included boys and girls aged 12 to 16 and so it was no surprise when the older riders pulled away. But Ben stuck to his task and completed the race in fifth position in the under 12 boys race.
Showing great determination, he vowed to return and improve his placing.