Stowmarket roadman Gary Freeman won the Pedal Power Ipswich Road Race from a group of eight who just hung on to a rapidly shrinking lead at Framsden.

So fast was the gap to the chasing bunch disappearing that Assistant Commisaire Derek Lusher who was shepherding the lead group, had to do some quick thinking to avoid taking part in the finish sprint in his car.

Climbing past Framsden windmill for the last time Martin Smith (London Phoenix) led, with Harley Matthews (DAP CC) close on his wheel. Just behind were Freeman with Mike Auger (API/Metrow) alongside and Tom Andrews next. Smith suddenly cried out, clutched his thigh and dropped back; Matthews opened the final sprint but faded enough for Freeman to win from Tom Andrews and Auger.

Andrews rides for the University of Sheffield, but is currently living at home in Henley, only just off the Gosbeck circuit used for the 70 mile race. Matthews took fourth spot just ahead of Stowmarket rider Gavin Moore.

Tommy Power (Strada Sport) won the final 2017 race at RAF Honington. Power worked well with Harley Matthews (DAP CC) to build up a clear lead on the field and then set about winning the race.

“I sat on Harley’s wheel for the whole last lap and then let him lead it out in the fast tailwind sprint. I was able to come past him and take my ninth win of the season,” he said.

Cindy Berry (BowlFish) won the women’s race, finishing 48 seconds ahead of Army CU riders Vanessa Royals and Lauren Gault. Chris Bower won the sprint at the finish of the race for entry-level competitors from Roger Taylor (Hitchin Nomads)

Peter Horsnell (Chelmer CC) took the Veteran’s Time Trial Association national 25 miles championship near Newmarket, beating the standard time for his 87 years by 22 minutes 19 seconds, with an actual time of 1:07:45. This beat runner-up Brian Sunter by a margin of 1:11. Other highly-placed East Anglian’s included David Procter Procter (VeloVelocity) +19:00, actual 50:11 and Chris Nudds (CC Breckland) +18:46 (54:51)

In the VC Norwich Bank Holiday time trial Harley Matthews (DAP CC) beat the course record with a 31 mph ride – taking 19:19 to cover the out-and-back ten miles, southwards from Attleborough.

It was a bright warm morning and Matthews got the better of Matthew Senter (VeloVelocity) to whom he has often played second fiddle this season. Senter came home second in 19:32, while third place went to Newmarket rider Mark Arnold, forsaking his usual fixed transmission to finish in 20:11 on gears. Sole Bay Sport’s Denise Hurren was top women in 23:03.

Ben Stancombe (King’s Lynn CC) won the CC Breckland 25 on the East Harling-Wymondham course. This, like the VTTA National, was a re-run of an event cancelled due to unsuitable road conditions earlier in the year. Stancombe, a 27 year-old aircraft engineer whose sport until recently was power-lifting, went round in 49:35, well clear of nearest challengers Dave Green (VeloVelocity, 50:58) and Ben Keeley, also VeloVelocity, 52:10.

Mildenhall Cycling Festival returned to a three-day format, based at West Row village hall, two miles from Mildenhall. There were many opportunities for family and fun cycling activities, but the centerpiece remained the grass-track where Sunday’s racing culminated in a battle for the huge team pursuit shield between Tuxford Clarion and Chelmer CC.

Each team was soon down to the minimum three riders with Chelmer’s Fred Gill, Aaron Freeman and Mitch Powell slowly having to give best to Tuxford – who are a new community club in the 19th century Clarion tradition.

This Sunday the Jef Schils Memorial Race brings Belgian-style racing to east Essex. There is a fine entry for the 75 miler which starts from the Marks Tey Hotel at 2pm and thereafter is based at Hare and Hounds, Layer Breton, where there will be live commentary leading up to the finish around 5.20pm.

RESULTS

PEDAL POWER IPSWICH ROAD RACE, 70 Miles Gosbeck: 1 Gary Freeman (Fast Test), 2 Tom Andrews (University of Sheffield CC), 3 Mike Auger (API-Metrow), 4 Harley Matthews (DAP CC), 5 Gavin Moore (PCH), 6 Vincent Christan (East London Velo), 7 Scott Cousins (Maldon & District CC), 8 Martin Smith (London Phoenix), 9 Clay Davies (Verulam CC), 10 Logan de Monchaux-Irons (CC Hackney).

VC NORWICH 10, Morley: 1 Harley Matthews (DAP CC) 19:19, 2 Matthew Senter (VeloVelocity) 19:32, 3 Mark Arnold (CC Desiragear) 20:11, 4 Ben Stancombe (King’s Lynn CC) 20:14, 5 Mark Richards (DAP CC) 20:20, 6 Mathew Eley Ely & District) 20:31, 7 Lucas He (VC Baracchi) 20:51, 8 Ben Keeley (VeloVelocity) 21:00, 9 Sean Taylor (RAF CA) 21:06, 10 Dan Blackburn (VC Norwich) 21:06. Women: 1 Denise Hurren (Sole Bay Sport) 23:03, 2 Jennifer Smart (VC Norwich) 23:36, 3 Becky Murley (Wisbech Whs) 23:41.

HONINGTON CRITERIUMS Round 4: 1 Tommy Power (Strada Sport), 2 Harley Matthews (DAP CC), 3 Ian Lee (RAF CA), 4 Dale Johnson (VC Norwich), 5 Thomas Lowe (RAF CA), 6 Fabian Horrocks (West Suffolk Wheelers). Women: 1 Cindy Berry (BowlFish), 2 Vanessa Royals (Army CU), 3 Lauren Gault (Army CU).