A morale-boosting second place by Alan Trolove in the first stage of the Mayo Youth Tour in west of Ireland paved the way to a remarkable team win by young British Cycling Eastern Region riders.

The team of Trolove, who comes from Bury St Edmunds, Josh Hannan, Tao Hart and Dan Young beat strong representative teams including those from Ireland, Scottish Cycling and the Isle of Man.

Eventual winner Tom Arnstien (Scottish Cycling) took the first stage from a long sprint, with fifteen year-old Trolove leading the charge behind.

However a 38 second deficit in the time-trial stage dropped Trolove down the results in a race dominated by big bunch finishes. The race did however split in the final criterium in Kiltimagh town centre.

Trolove was in the front half, but had to fight back after a breaking a shoe-clip and unshipping his chain. But get back he did - to take 6th spot.

Overall individual positions were Hart, 2nd; Hannan 5th; Young 10th and Trolove 17th.

Peter Balls added the Newmarket Triathlon & Cycling Club 21 mile hilly time trial to his string of victories this season when, in near-perfect conditions, he covered the country road circuit it 48:51. The rolling course took riders through Kirtling, Cowlinge, Stradishall, Lidgate and Ashley and included a total of 900 feet of climbing. Behind Balls came Bury St Edmunds rider Brian Phillips at 47 seconds, Duncan Murphy from Red Lodge at 1:22 and Lee Desborough from Soham at 1:56.

The previous day over 150 entrants came to the Newmarket bypass hoping for personal bests at 10 miles in the Team Cambridge event. They were mostly disappointed. The wind took the bulk of the blame. Winner Michael Hutchinson, at the height of his form having recently set a new Competition Record of 17:57, took over a minute longer – 18:59. Best local rider was Murat Ozdenya of Flitch Crono – flitch as in Dunmow – who was third in 19:56. Peter Balls recorded 20:21 but the influx of hopeful visitors moved him down to 10th place, while Mark Arnold (Pedal Revolution, 20:30) was 15th.

Result – Newmarket Hilly 21:

1 Peter Balls (West Suffolk Wheelers) 21 miles in 48:51, 2 B Phillips (East Grinstead CC) 49:38, 3 D Murphy (Diss & District) 50:13, 4 L Desborough (St Ives CC) 50:47, 5 G Frost (API/Metrow) 51:06, 6 D Staff (Anglia Velo) 51:36, 7 B De’ath (Anglia Velo) 51:58, 8 R Birkett (Newmarket T&CC) 9 J Wightman (Newmarket T&CC) 54:34, 10 R Carrington (Mildenhall CC) 56:36.

The pace in the Essex Giro women’s two day stage race was so hot that the officials were urging the lead car to get a move on.

Winner of this top category UK road race starting on the Hog Hill purpose built circuit, with the last day on the road near Saffron Walden, was Anna Fischer (Maxgear). Eighth overall was Nikki Juniper of Ciclos Uno after a consistent performance – 8th in the time trial, 15th in the closed circuit stage and 13th on the open road.

In the supporting men’s race Chelmsford rider Andy Lyons was 16th.

The Chelmer CC road race for third and fourth category riders was won by Jack stevens of East London Velo.

As part of the build-up to the visit of the Tour of Britain to East Anglia on September16th and 17th, there are mass start races at Norwich Airport Park & Ride on August 8th, 15th and 22nd and 5th & 12 September. Details can be found on the Lotus Cars Cycle Race League website.