Fairer weather and growing numbers were very welcome improvements for week three of the Suffolk Cycle Racing Series.
Riders experienced a longer and more technical circuit around the showground at Trinity Park Ipswich. The longer laps led to some more comfortable racing with extended straights allowing rhythms to form.
Starting off the evening were the 6-13yrs in the Go Ride Racing. They experienced the thrill and tight action of the Keiran, balanced with the control of a slow race where the winner came last.
The entry level Go Race circuit event saw not only a growth in numbers but also a growth in confidence of its riders. The bunch stayed together in the main and then, leading into the last S-bend, three riders took a long punt with places decided way before the line. Chris Crabtree, of Ipswich Velo, sealed his second consecutive win.
The fierce and fast youths started as a combined group of under-14 (Youth B) and under-16 (Youth A) riders. Keiran Jarvis (St Ives CC), last week’s Youth A winner was determined to try and make a break from the pack in the early stages of the race.
Unfortunately for Jarvis, the pack would not let him get away again. Jarvis, Bob Longstaff (Colchester Rovers) and Sam Asker (Welwyn Wheelers) made a determined effort on the final lap, splitting the bunch. Coming into the final few bends together Longstaff kicked with confidence to take first in a sprint, so securing the Youth A race from Jarvis, with Asker third over the line to take the win in the Youth B category.
Asker was closely followed by Troy Wingar (VC Revolution), who took third Youth A. Just behind Wingar was Fraser Elsworth (West Suffolk Wheelers) taking second place in the Youth B. Third place in the Youth B went to local rider Thomas Richens.
The women’s race quickly broke up with four riders showing strength and breaking away from the group. The break maintained their lead all the way to the end when Ipswich rider Joanne Newstead, from XRT Elmy’s Cycle, out-sprinted Samantha Segger, of Boxford, and Rebecca Johnson, of Fast Test.
Verity Smith, of Stowmarket DCC, was the member of the break following Johnson home.
Newstead, who was jubilant following her victory and encouragement of the local crowd, said she actually liked the circuit, with its many corners and final sharp S-bend.
The growing entry field in E1234 Open event experienced more riders coming into form and able to cope with the higher speeds and repeated accelerations out of the circuit’s corners.
The race was led off with a handicap start for the ranging categories of rider. With five laps to go the scratch group had worked its way through the split field.
Marked rider Grant Martin (Ipswich BC) was clearly on everyone’s radar and any attempt to gain an advantage or break away was quickly jumped on by the group.
Final lap jostling for position tested the nerves prior to the tight S-bend ahead of the finish straight, but Martin’s abundant power, speed and handling shone through as he secured his third straight win of the series ahead of the Norfolk duo Harley Matthews (Strada Sport) and Dale Johnson (VC Norwich).
The Suffolk Cycle Race Series is organised by a collective of local cycle clubs and their volunteer members. The Series is supported by Maglia Rosso and has three more weeks to run on Wednesday evenings. Full event information is available from www.suffolkcycleracing.co.uk
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