The last few years have seen Doncaster Wheelers repeatedly take out the Rutland CC mid-summer Road Race and this year, to the disappointment of riders from the promoting team, they did it again.
For 2008 the course was changed to avoid the main Sheffield - Baslow road but if any riders had hoped that the absence of the climb up to Clod Hall would make for an easier night the 16 climbs of Grange Hill and the 3 dead turn corners each lap provided a shock.
Jack Ibbotson of Doncaster Wheelers attacked on the first lap and shortly after crossing the finish line for the first time was joined by Darren Otter, Dan Lowthorpe and Tom Bailey of the Rutland CC. The prospects were looking good for the Rutland as the four leaders started to stretch their lead out. Behind them riders who were suffering from too many repeats of Grange Hill were continually being shelled out of the back of the bunch. After 3 laps eventual winner Tom Stewart bridged across a considerable gap on his own. When, a few laps later, Tom Bailey dropped back to the chasing group the odds were evened up leaving 2 riders from each team to stretch the lead out.
With plenty of Doncaster and Rutland riders in the shrinking main field it was left to individual riders to try and force a selection in order to bridge to the leaders. Many tried but all ultimately failed as the leading quartet stretched out the lead to over 2 minutes.
On the last lap Jack Ibbotson attacked but was countered by Dan and Darren until Tom Stewart, spinning his junior gears, escaped on the downhill section before the finishing straight. The young rider held his lead up the finishing straight and took the win from a fast finishing Darren Otter.
1 Tom Stewart Doncaster Wheelers
2 Darren Otter Rutland CC
3 Dan Lowthorpe Rutland CC
4 Jack Ibbotson Doncaster Wheelers
5 Tom Wood
6 Rob Blackburn Newark Castle CC
7 Mick Rowson
8 Fred Majer
9 Stephen Ellis Rutland CC
10 Michael Clayton Rutland CC

Phil Holwell was the only finisher from the club in the Yorkshire Divisional Road Race Champs at a rain soaked Sherriff Hutton at the beginning of June.
(Pictures courtesy of www.britishcycling.org.uk )

Over the Easter weekend I competed in the Caesarean Cycling Club Jersey five day stage race that was later shortened to a four day race due to bad weather…I managed to get third overall and won the last road race stage with a lone break away with one six mile lap to go!

The race is a great event and I will probably making the trip next year. If anyone from the club fancies a bit of early season training then I can thoroughly recommend this event. Flights are pretty cheap from Doncaster and accommodation in Jersey could be easily sorted out. What you get is a well run event every morning and then time in the afternoon for more riding (should you need more training!!!) or just a bit of R&R.
Jersey is a great place to cycle with a maximum speed limit of 40mph throughout the island and truly courteous drivers everywhere.
For more info on the event visit ccc.je

Anyway, if anyone fancies the trip next year email me at doonbar@gmail.com.

Danny Lowthorpe

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.

Heard the one about the mad cow that ran out of the farmyard into the road as the bunch were passing on the first lap?
Front eight managed to get round it, looked back and saw riders scattering in all directions to avoid being tossed over the nearest wall.

What do you do, act all sportsman like and sit up and wait for the group to catch up or get your head down and go like stink.

If you’re not there we don’t care!

A good second place in the B Group by John Hadfield put a fiver in his pocket.
Well done Axey and Simon for not only catching the mad cow group but for passing them and winning the race.

In conditions typical of the recent wet weather with flooded roads and thunder and lightning, Darren Otter won the JF Parkinson Memorial Trophy on Sunday 1st July 2007.
The race was a two stage event with a morning uphill time trial followed by a 55 mile non-handicap road race.
Darren was second in the time trial and needed a 10 second gap to win overall. Darren and Paul Stubbs (MI Racing) rode away from the field from the gun and won by a minute and a half.
Darren shared the 4 primes with Paul Stubbs and as race winner even won an invite to the Macclesfield Wheelers club dinner where he will be awarded the Parkinson trophy, which at the last second was cruelly whipped out of his hands and given to the best local rider!
John Hadfield and Chris Goddard made up the Rutland compliment with Pete Ryalls (Sheffield Phoenix CC) also braving the conditions.
A great event, definitely one for next year.

Simon Keeton and Chris Goddard both finished in the top 30
in todays Masters Road Race.
The 4 day stage race starts on Wednesday, with both riders hoping the weather remains hot and sunny to improve their sun tan.
Day 2
Monsoon conditions (thanks to the Paul Russel rain dance) delayed the race by 30 mins,
a lovely 3k mountain top finsh meant we were nice and warm by the time we finished.
Nice and lumpy stage round Fannylix tomorrow. Mmm, can’t wait.
Chris below in TT action at Arenal.

The North Midlands Road Race League (NMRRL)
The Road Race League is held under the The League International (TLI) is a series of evening handicap road races held on Thursday nights during May - August. Held over 3 series with 6 race nights at each at a different venue to the east of Sheffield.

Riders are set off in groups according to ability with the slowest first, giving all riders a chance to cross the line first. Points are awarded for finish places with an overall total awarded for the whole race series.

You need to be a member of a cycling club and the TLI to race but they are great training and a good start for beginners to road racing.

NORTH MIDLANDS ROAD RACE LEAGUE 2008 EVENT INFORMATION

REGISTRATION NIGHT -
Tuesday 18th March, 7-30pm at THE BUTCHERS ARMS, BRAITHWELL.
You can join the TLI and enter the NMRRL at the same time.

2008 PROGRAMME

1st Series - TORWORTH. HQ - To be confirmed.
Closing date is 14th April.6 Events on Thursday 1st/8th/15th/22nd/29th May & 5th June

2nd Series - HARWORTH. HQ - Harworth Sports Centre
Closing date is 30th May.
6 Events on Thursday 12th/19th/26th June 3rd/10th/17th July

3rd Series - STAINTON. HQ - Ruddles Centre, Braithwell.
Closing date is 11th July.
6 Events on Thurday 24th/31st July 7th/14th/21st/28th August.

Points: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 each race.
Prizes: First 10 in Overall Series/ Best in each TLI category and other prizes.

Entry fee is £15 per individual series or £40 for all 3 Series in advance (this includes a free £10 deposit towards the 30th Anniversary NMRRL Dinner & Prize Presentation which will be held October / November 2008.Riders who enter all 3 series in advance will be given preference ahead of any rider who enters just one series even if they enter early but for 2008 the number of entries will be restricted to a maximum of 132.
Due to the large number of riders entering the 2008 League riders will get to ride four events, organise and marsahll one, and have one week off.

Entries to: Martin Ellis, Lanehead, Salt Hill, Firbeck, Worksop, S81 8LH.
Email: htvhlb@yahoo.co.uk
Cheques payable to: ‘North Midlands Road Racing League’ or ‘N.M.R.R.L.’

TLI Region Membership Secretary:
Rob Blackburn, 167 Arnold Avenue, Sheffield S12 3JD. Email: bblacko@blueyonder.co.uk

In 2008 an Organiser/ Chief Marshal/ Race Controller will be selected before each series from the entries received whose job it is to run each event smoothly. If you are willing to do this on more than one occasion please specify this on your entry form. Marshals will be allocated to each event as before some of which will help co-organise on their particular evening.

FIRST AID COVER: Can all F/A trained riders please indicate so on your entry form. If you are then you will be able to help us with F/A cover instead of marshalling duties.

All events are organised under the rules of The League International.

ALL THESE DETAILS AND EACH WEEKS RESULTS CAN BE FOUND ON THE NMRRL WEB-SITE AT nmrrl.org.uk