Road Races 2010

26/9 Velo 99 - 2010 Season Report
The 2010 Velo 99 was another excellent season for the Witham Wheelers. Building on the success of last season when we managed to place 3 riders in the top 5, in 2010 we managed 4 riders in the top 6. Top positions were as follows:

1st Phil Etches Witham Wheelers 437 points
2nd George Thackray Nottingham 433
3rd Tony Mendham Witham Wheelers 428
4th Phil Atherton Witham Wheelers 428
5th Keith Bulmer Melton Olympic 425
6th Ross Tomblin Witham Wheelers 424

2010 Velo 99 Results
Phil Etches was again crowned overall champion for the 2nd season in a row and he won group 6 for the 8th season in a row, confirming his near legendary status as supervet. Rumours are that Hollywood are planning a movie.

George Thackray of Nottingham won group 5 and just managed to hold off the strong challenges of Phil Atherton and Ross Tomblin, the handicapping ultimately proving to be their undoing. However, both Ross and Phil had only been promoted to group 5 this season so can feel pleased with their efforts.

Tony Mendham not only managed 3rd overall, he also won group 4 and was voted most improved rider. He just managed to fend off a spirited late season surge from Keith Bulmer of Melton Olympic and will no doubt raise a glass to his trusty domestique, lead out man, masseur and just all round good guy, Ian Makevit.

Next season sees Paul Conneely, Kim Paxton and Rob Johnson joining the Velo which will give Witham Wheelers 10 riders as they will join Phil Etches, Phil Atherton, Chris Samler, Ross Tomblin, Tony Mendham, Ian Makevit and Dave Herd.
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26/9 Velo 99 Woodbeck circuit near Retford
The final race of the Velo 99 series was held on a very blustery and cold Woodbeck circuit near Retford on Sunday morning. Witham Wheelers had an end of season bonanza with super vet Phil Etches 1st and Paul Conneely 3rd overall. In an uphill sprint finish Phil over came his Nemesis Rob Blackburn ( James Cycles ) to win by two bike lengths with Paul snatching 3rd place from Paul Sleaford ( Norton CC ). Tony Mendham ( Witham Wheelers ) who has just been promoted to the faster group 5, suffered in the windy condition as did many riders and lost contact with the rampaging chasing group 6 as they crested the last hill with one lap to go.

29/8 LVRC - Andy Hardy Memorial RR - Towcester
On a tough undulating course at Towcester Paul Conneely had his best ride of the season to grab 4th place overall in the AB race and 2nd in his age group. Two riders had nipped off the front with two laps to go and in the bunch sprint for the line up, a testing draggy hill, Paul kept his form as others faltered.
In the EFG race an in-form Don Parry attacked from the gun and continued attacking until he finally got away with two laps to go. He joined a team mate who had drifted off up the road and that was it, game over. The peleton, which had thinned considerably on the testing circuit, had enough firepower to reel them in but just never even looked like organising itself. Phil Etches, who had been covering everything, was disappointed to miss the break that got away but managed to hold off the strong Lance Ravenhill to win the tough uphill sprint to take 3rd place overall. Phil Atherton rolled over the line with what was left of the main bunch but didn't quite have anything left for the sprint but was still very happy to have hung on in his toughest LVRC race to date, which was his aim for the day.

15 August LVRC - Flintham - EFG Race Report
Phil Atherton and Tony Mendham, both looking for more LVRC race experience, joined Phil Etches in the EFG race on the Flintham course on Sunday. Six laps over a total of 44 miles was contested on a flat circuit. All the early attacks were reeled in with ease as the pace alternated between pedestrian and flat out in a messy race. Read more»
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11 August Lincs League - Withern
With the overall positions decided it was the final race evening with each handicap group racing for individual prizes over an 8 mile course at Withern (nr Alford) which was flat, apart from a rise up to the finish plus a stiff breeze and a lot of harvest traffic thrown in for good measure. More»

31 July Darley Moor
Peter Cocker took another second place in the U16s race at Darley Moor just losing out to Alex Sayers of Leicestershire RC in a tight sprint.
In the 3/4 category event Simon Cocker finished in around 20th position in a big sprint of most of the field of 50 or so riders. Top of page»

25 July Velo 99 - Willoughby
On the undulating Willoughby course Phil Etches' group 6 had gathered up group 5 containing Phil Atherton and Ross Tomblin well before the bell and the race had all come together with half a lap to go. The powerful Rob Blackburn of group 6 launched a surprise lone attack just after the bell and managed to get and stay away, taking a deserved first place. Out of the following peleton Phil Etches won the tough uphill sprint into a slight headwind to take 2nd overall with Phil Atherton 4th overall and first in group 5, followed by Ross Tomblin in 5th place overall and Tony Mendham in 7th place overall and first in group 4.
Ian Makevit had sacrificed himself on the run in to the sprint in a courageous bid to keep the pace high for team-mate Tony Mendham. If you're thinking Renshaw and Cavendish then think again, it was nothing like that.
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18 July LVRC Great Limber
In Sundays event near Grimsby the race was severely affected by a strong wind that was blowing straight down a three mile incline that leads to the finish. This meant there was little opportunity to attack as on the windward leg of the course with speeds of 40+ mph being the norm.
In the end the eight strongest riders prevailed and fought it out in to a block head wind with the sprint going well after the 200m mark. Mike Holmes from Batley CC was first with Phil a close second and Mike Allen of Belper CC third.

11 July Velo 99 Alford
Super vet Phil Etches worked well with his group of 6 riders to close down the handicap in the recent Velo 99 race.
In hot condition the scratch group pulled all but one rider back with 1 km to go and in the uphill sprint for the line Phil over came an early attack to win the gallop by three bike lengths.

30 June Lincs League Witham Wheelers promoted the latest round of the Lincolnshire Handicap Road race league over 3 laps of the Skillington circuit. 12 club riders took part..... More»

27 June Velo 99 - Willoughby on the Wold
In the VELO 99 Phil Etches and his fellow riders in group 5 had a six minute handicap to over come to catch group 4. This gap was gradually whittled down until with only half a lap to go group 5 got to the front of the race and the fire works started. Phil attacked the peloton straight away and took two riders with him but the gap was never more than 50 metres and the peloton closed them with ease. With only a mile to go the riders were gearing themselves up for the hill sprint finish which played into Phils hands and he won the sprint comfortably by 20 metres, to take his second victory of the weekend. Tony Mendham finished second in his group and Ian Makevit was in the middle of the bunch at the finish.

26 June LVRC Barton upon Humber
On a very hot day Phil Etches went away with a four man attack on the second lap of eight and were five minutes in front of the peloton by the finish. In the four man sprint for the line Phil had the best legs and won by good bike length. Chris Sammler and Paul Conneely also rode strongly to finish well up front in the bunch sprint

20/6 LVRC - Tom Simpson Memorial Road Race
In the most prestigious LVRC race of the season at Haworth Doncaster, three Witham Wheelers showed strongly across the three age group races.
Phil Etches in the super vets 60 + years came third in a very tight sprint finish after being on the attack for the whole 50 miles of racing but being beaten on the line by the national champion Alan Kemp.
In the 50+ race Chris Samler was very strong throughout the race but just missed the attack that finally got away and came in with the bunch for a top 10 finish in the C race.
In the 40+ race Paul Conneely played a waiting game sitting in the bunch for the majority of the race but with an attack having gone up the road he contested the bunch sprint for fourth over the line and a top 10 pacing in the B race with a very strong field of riders. Top of Page»

13/6 Velo 99 - Laughton Forest
With no group 6 taking part due to a LVRC event nearby it was left to group 5 to take up the challenge but, although they worked well for the first 2 laps of 3 on the flat course, they never caught the other groups and fought it out amongst themselves for the minor placings. Both Ross Tomblin and Phil Atherton attacked several times on the last lap but they were all together for the sprint. Ross went early and was chased down by Phil as they kicked away from the rest of the group and Phil just caught Ross on the line with the result of a dead heat being given as they could not be split.
Group 4 containing Tony Mendham and Ian 'have it' Makevit worked like a dream to stay away from group 5 and catch all the other groups. With the big bunch rounding the final turn all together Maka kicked and went 'for a long one' only to be overhauled as the line approached. Keith Bulmer of Melton Olympic was overall winner on the day with Tony Medham in 3rd and Maka comfortably in the top 10.

13/6 LVRC Doncaster Wheelers
Phil Etches secured his 3rd win of the season on the Serlby course on Sunday. Attacking from the gun Phil and 5 other riders made the break which stayed away for the full 45 mile race. In a very tight sprint finish Phil just managed to catch Mike Allen of Belper CC on the line and win by short half wheel.

Wed 2nd June - Lincs league R-R
Good turnout for the Velo club Lincoln promotion at Aisby on a warm sunny evening, only to be thwarted by the local council who decided to deposit a thick layer of loose grit on a 400m section of the course on the morning of the event.
The decision was taken to ride a 10 lap event on a shorter course staying in the handicap groups, as the revised course was too narrow for a big bunch.
Paul Conneely, Kim Paxton, Neil Sentance, Simon Cocker and Peter Cocker got some training miles in.

6/6 LVRC Lincoln Ridge RR
Five Witham Wheelers riders took part on the flat Dry Doddington course and an overcast day with light winds made for pretty good conditions. In the AB race Paul Conneelly put in a great performance to take 12th place in the top level veterans race. Likewise Chris Samler was alway comfortable in the CD race and also finished just outside the top 10.
Phil Etches was a strong contender in the EF race and was joined by Phil Atherton and Ross Tomblin. The field contained ex Tour de France rider Les West and he proved to be the class act, attacking several times before eventually making the decisive break on the 3rd lap of 4. With West away the race settled down and any riders that tried to get away were quickly closed down by the peleton. Both Phil Etches and Phil Atherton were prominent on the last lap and as the riders rounded the final bend Phil Etches kicked 500 yards from home and instantly created a gap to take 2nd overall in the race and 1st in group E. Mick Allen of Belper BC chased Phil home for 3rd place and Phil Atherton had his best ride of the season to take 4th. Top of Page»

30/5/10 Velo 99 - Granby
Strong winds made for a tough day in the latest Velo 99 at Granby and all the groups except the scratch group had come together by the start of the final lap. With many in the big peleton looking for an easy ride to the finish Ross Tomblin attacked with half a lap to go and it was no surprise when no-one went with him. His gap was rarely more than 200 yards and he would probably have stayed away if it wasn't for the scratch group catching the peleton with half a mile to go. There was an immediate injection of pace and as the big bunch spread over the road Ross was caught 100 yards from the finish. With a strong headwind everyone was looking to leave the sprint as long as possible and it was a real mess. Rob Blackburn of the scratch group won it with Phil Etches 2nd. Ross hung on for 5th place and Phil Atherton managed 10th with Tony Mendham a couple of places further back. Ian Makevit had been forced to retire with a broken spoke. Top of Page»

29/5 Darley Moor Road Races
With not much else on for Juveniles this weekend, Simon and Peter decided to sample another early Saturday morning Darley Moor (near Ashbourne) experience, despite the forecast heavy rain.
Overslept so in a rush but got there in time to sign on for the 3/4th cat event starting at 10.00 with the rain just starting, but at least not much wind. Quite big 70+ field so settled in for a trundle round the 22 laps, so see if I could get get past 13 laps before getting dropped this time. Tried to keep safe around half way back in bunch but a bit dodgy in the big bunch in the wet, just missed the big crash around lap 10 with bikes and bodies bouncing across the road, but at least it thinned the bunch down a bit.
Lap 13 and still feeling relaxed, looking good for a finish, a bit quicker with 3 laps to go, everybody getting twitchy for the sprint, two guys go down on the final hairpin, wind up for the sprint, but difficult to sprint when you can't feel your feet and lower legs, finish around 30th and feeling relatively satisfied but cold.
30 minutes later still trying to warm up but out in the rain to support Peter in the Juvenile race at 12.00. 6 laps with around 15 riders, it looks pretty steady for the first few laps, hope its not going to be a sprint, but someone jumps with just over a lap to go and gets 100 yds, Peter trying to close the gap with around 5 others on his wheel. At the finish the lad is still 100yds clear for a good win, Peter gets round another rider on the line to take 2nd with the rest now scattered some way behind. Go for another cup of tea to try and warm up and he gets a fiver for 2nd, which is break even, so better than nothing.

19/5 Lincs Handicap League - Barton-on-Humber
With the latest round held up at Barton-on-Humber not so many club riders could make the long trip after work. Those taking part were:
Group 3 Peter Barnes & Peter Cocker
Group 4 Paul Conneely
Group 5 Jim Coleman
A big field containing some 70 riders spread over the 5 handicap groups came together at the end, for a big bunch sprint, which everybody negotiated safely. Peter Cocker thought he was the first club rider home somewhere in the top 20 but final positions are awaited should the judges ever feel confident enough to declare them.
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5 May Good club participation in the second round of the Lincs handicap Road race league promoted by Lincoln Wheelers at Aisthorpe. More»

2 May Velo 99 - Norwell
A small group 6, including Chris Samler, started with group 5 containing Phil Atherton, Ross Tomblin and Dave Herd, and the supergroup tore round the 4 lap circuit and picked up group 4 which included Tony Mendham and Ian Makevit during the 2nd lap and had caught every other group by the bell.

On the long descent into Norwell, Ross Tomblin lauched an attack and Chris Samler immediately responded. As a small gap opened they were joined by two Melton Olympic riders and the peleton just watched them and did nothing as the gap slowly widened. Ross drifted back into the peleton up a series of stepped rises about 4 miles from home but still the peleton refused to do any meaningful work to drag the leading 3 riders back.

With 2 miles to go several riders in the peleton tried to launch solo counter-attacks and, although this split the field, it failed to put a dent in the gap to the leaders, which was now some 300 yards. Chris Samler, who had done the lions share of the work in the break, managed to kick away up the final rise to the finish and record a well earned victory. As the remnants of the peleton hit the rise Phil Atherton managed to overhaul John Elliott from group 6 to record 4th place overall and 2nd in his group. Ross and Tony finished just outside the top 10 with Dave Herd and Maka slightly further off the back.Top of Page»

2 May - LVRC Mintys Road Race
Veteran Phil Etches took his first win of the season at Doncaster. Phil and four other riders attacked on the second lap of a nine lap race and were never seen again by the bunch. On a wind swept uphill finish Phil had a perfect lead out from Paul Griffiths of Alford Wheelers and won the sprint finish by three bike lengths from Mick Alan of Belper CC.

2 May - Spalding Criteriums
Representation by club riders in most events with Caitlan Conneely and Eleanor Crawford gaining good experience in the under 10 and under 12 respectively.
In the Under 14s Reece Egner taking part in his first open race found the first three riders a bit too fast at the start, but rode strongly on his own throughout for an excellent 4th place. Jack King from Sleaford took the win in a tight sprint finish.
In the Under 16s Peter Cocker rode strongly at the front of the lead group, which was reduced to just 4 riders by the last lap, where Kieron Tennyson (Heanor Clarion) just found the extra speed to take the win with Peter taking third just behind Callum Rogers from Scunthorpe in the sprint.
Neil Sentance rode the senior 3rd/4th category event but found the pace too quick this early in the season and finished down the field. Top of Page»

28 April - Lincs League - Long Bennington
The distinctive black and blue of the wobblies, who have provided the Lincs League overall winner for the last two seasons (Jim Coleman 2008, Neil Sentance 2009), was out in force for the first race of the season. More»