ALLSPORTS INTERNATIONAL ENERGY PRODUCTS/ARMY CU EELMORE CIRCUIT RACES 16 JULY 2003

The weather held off from raining thankfully after it had been lashing it down for most of the day, so it was a damp but drying circuit that greeted the 40 or so riders that signed on tonight.  The EZ-Up was up, so no chance of the helpers and Mr Docker getting wet even if it had poured it down and we even had the relative luxury of some portaloos, but having used one of them, it's not something I'd recommend if you've just had dinner!!!  Mrs Day was absent with car trouble - get well soon - and there were no crashes either - a welcome relief for this organiser and his wet wipe and plaster stock!

Youths

Youth rider James Boyman (Team Luciano) kicked off a fantastic evening of racing here at Eelmore tonight.  Only four youths took to the line, but Boyman was head and shoulders a class above the rest.  He easily rode away from the younger riders to comfortably win the event.  Second and third was tighter between Andrew Bates and Rob Jackson (both Luciano) ending in a sprint finish which nearly came to grief when senior riders didn't listen and strayed onto the circuit as they were crossing the line.  All I can say is that the seniors would have been quite badly injured and embarrassed had the youths crashed into them and it does not bear thinking about what would have happened to the kids!  More sense please folks!  Needless to say the offending senior was given the benefit of a good Army bollocking.  Enough said!!!  Katie Jane Buckley rounded up the youths with a strong ride after putting in a good amount of training so far this year.

Result

1    James Boyman (U16)       Team Luciano

2    Andrew Bates   (U14)        Team Luciano

3    Rob Jackson     (U12)       Team Luciano

4    Katie Jane Buckley (U16)   VC Venta

3/4/W/V/J

The Gough family (all Portswood Cycles RT) came and pretty much conquered tonight!  Birthday boy Philip took the honours on his sixteenth birthday, showing some class to win an extended bunch sprint with riders spread over a good length of the track.  Older brother Andrew should hang his head in shame at being beaten by little brother to place a swift fourth and dad scraped into the points with tenth though I bet big bro' and dad were riding to give Philip the best chance of winning - sounds like a damn fine excuse to me!!!  Dean Frost (Liphook Cycles RT) was out front and away at times and Youth rider James Boyman was either away alone or bridging across to smaller breaks before tiring and finishing in the bunch, an excellent ride for the youngster.  Old fella on a comeback trail and last weeks winner Berni Charlick (CCB 2000) just missed out on the win again in the gallop, although he was fairly beaten by Philip.

Result

1    Philip Gough                    Portswood Cycles RT

2    Berni Charlick                    CCB 2000

3    Dean Frost                    Liphook Cycles RT

4    Andrew Gough                Portswood Cycles RT

5    Eamon Watson                Peloton RT

6    Steve Ferris                    VC Meudon

7    Neil Cooper                    Reading CC

8    Roy Ludford                    Team Axiom

9    Adrian Brown                Thames Velo

10    Stuart Gough                Portswood Cycles RT

E/1/2

The Army CU dominated proceeding tonight, with Scottish Commonwealth Games rider Duncan Urquhart on the comeback trail after a tour of duty over in the Gulf.  Duncan has been back just 6 weeks after being out there for four months and has steadily chipped away at his bike fitness after keeping himself in good general shape while out there with lots of gym work, circuits and running.  This was his first ride in anger and he rode off the front after 5 or 6 laps once Kevin Blann (Luciano) had been caught after his attempt at a Jackie Durand suicide breakaway.  Duncan's ride away was more down to a general lethargy in the bunch than an all out attack, but once he was 100 metres up the road he put his head down and worked at it.  Paul Holdsworth (Hounslow & District Whlrs) broke away and eventually joined up with the well tanned, smooth pedalling God of Army Cycling.  They worked well together to continue holding and increasing the gap with little response from the bunch thanks to the patrolling and chasing of yours truly.  It is a sad fact that a bunch of riders cannot or will not ride together when there is a break up the road, but it was all too easy for Gary K to sit on, tag onto the odd attempt at an attack and nullify chases.  Paul Pickup (Liphook Cycles RT) broke away alone to chase the two leaders, but was eventually reeled in by Gary K, Justin Hoy (Evans RT) and Tom Smith (Prestige VC.Com/Viner) working well together.  Gary and Tom attacked after seeing Justin and Paul sit up temporarily and these two battled out a very close sprint finish, with Tom taking it by millimetres after refusing point blank to come to the front from a good half lap to go, the wheel sucking leech that he is!!!  Mind you he did get third, so who's the sucker that led him out!!  Correct - ME!!!  Lee Day (Team Sport & Publicity) tried to get across to the two chasers, but they were determined to stay away and Lee led in the bunch in dribs and drabs with a small flurry of a sprint for places 7 to 10.  Mark Pettitt (Freerider RT) did well to place 6th after trying a few times to get away during the event.  Back in 9th, Lee Smith came in the points after working hard throughout the race.  He's on a bit of a comeback this year too, so he should be pleased with his performances recently, as he also rides the track at Reading on Monday evenings with some success.  For once Paul Pickup did not place top 10 - SHOCK HORROR!!!!  Must be a first at Eelmore, but I'm sure he'll take it out on us tomorrow night at the Surrey League handicap RR at Kitsmead Lane!!!  Stand-by folks!

Result

1    Duncan Urquhart            Army Cycling Union

2    Paul Holdsworth            Hounslow & District Whlrs

3    Tom Smith                    Prestige VC.com/viner

4    Gary Kristensen            Army Cycling Union

5    Lee Day                        Team Sport & Publicity

6    Mark Pettitt                    Freerider RT

7    Justin Hoy                    Evans RT

8    Alex Peterson                Reading CC

9    Lee Smith                    VC Meudon

10    Darren Dowling            Team Synergy