When the race organizer says you will need a 39 x 23 you just know the ‘hilly’ description is justified. Probably the hardest one day race in the Vet’s calendar, the Woodbank Trophy has been won over the years by some famous names; Hugh Porter, Les West, Simon Keeton (the same one!! - back in 1991). Sunday’s race will be the last one on the Congleton circuit simply because so few riders are willing to face such a hard circuit. All the more credit to Simon who broke clear with another rider (a renowned climber) at the end of the first lap and the pair stayed clear to the end. Simon opened a gap on his challenger on the last hairy 1 in 7 descent and managed to stay clear on the 250 yard climb to the finish, where he took the chequered flag. I also raced in the same event and came in 16th overall so I know just how hard a race this was. A brilliant result Simon.