The Jock Wadley Memorial Road Race at Layer-de-la-Haye finished in a mass sprint – said to be the first in its 35 year history – with Australian pro Steele von Hoff (One-Pro) just holding off Graham Briggs (JLT Condor) and fast-pedalling Junior Jacob Vaughan (VC Londres).
There were numerous breakaway attempts but, unusually for a race of this calibre, none lasted for long. There was little wind which might have split the field - and it was never going to be easy to leave a bunch averaging 28 mph over 84 miles.
Top local finishers were Lloyd Chapman from Martlesham (ninth) and Rob Ormond whose 11th place was an outstanding result for the Stowmarket rider. With 60 riders still in contention on the last climb away from Abberton reservoir there was a touch of wheels and a crash which has sidelined Tom Fitzpatrick with a broken elbow.
- Stepping up from seventh in the CC Breckland 10, Wickham Market Junior Lyster Romero whipped round the 22 mile CC Sudbury Mad March Hare Hilly in 49:20 to win by 31 seconds from his former Plomesgate CC clubmate Stuart Fairweather.
After a dire weather forecast, conditions were unexpectedly benign - no rain and little wind. The promoting Sudbury club got in on the top three with third-placed Leon West (51:01), and top lady Mandy Bunn (1:00:28). Fastest representatives of local clubs included Simon Daw (Velo Schils, 51:31), Paul Rooke (West Suffolk Whs, 53:05), Andy Kennedy (Ipswich BC 53:29), Adrian Pettitt (Stowmarket & District, 53:36) and Chris Steward (Boxford Bike Club, 53:45).
Tommy Power charged to a sprint win in the Ike Saul Memorial Road Race in Cambridgeshire with Strada teammate Morris Bacon getting third – despite being marked men following their one-two success in Essex last week. What was a triumph for Power was a brave failure for “Titch” Richards of VC Baracchi, who was caught with two kilometres to go after a 40 minute solo break. In the final bunch sprint Fast Test riders Gary Freeman and Peter Blenkinsop were fifth and ninth respectively.
The Ipswich Bicycle Club road races on Sunday are on the Crowfield-Framsden circuit, men in the morning, women in the early afternoon.
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