John May Memorial Road Race

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9th May 2010; from Andy May (www.maysportsimages.com)

A cold, overcast, windy morning greeted the riders for the start of the 34th annual John May memorial road race, presented by Wakefield CC Exponential and sponsored by Bob McDermott. Held over a testing course of 6.6 miles taking in Sharlston village, Normanton bypass and Pineapple Hill, ten circuits gave a race distance of 66 miles.

As in most years, the Lincoln Grand Prix Premier calendar event held on the same day limited the number of Elite riders, however a healthy field of 60 still had quality and a large number of emerging stars from the Junior ranks including a five strong team from Glendene who were to feature prominently throughout.  After a few early breaks came to nothing, the decisive move came on the 3rd lap when six riders broke away.

James Sharp of York Cycle Works (2nd cat), Andrew Guy of Science in Sport (elite), Tom Moses and A Murison both of Glendene/Junior Team (1st cats), C  Stevenson of Boneshaker bikes (2nd cat) and S Henson of Ellis Briggs RT (3rd cat). These riders worked incredibly well together with everyone taking a turn and they quickly rode away from a field which splintered into three or four chasing groups.

The pace was constant and as the main field were left trailing, the leaders continued to increase their lead. On lap eight, the pace amazingly went up another notch when James Sharp, Andrew Guy & Tom Moses rode away from the other three. They put over a minute gap between them and the chasers in a single lap and continued to increase their lead by the same rate right until the end.

As Stevenson, Murison and Henson were caught by the lead chase group, Sharp, Guy and Moses battled it out for the honours. As the leading three came over the crest of the final climb towards the finish line, James Sharp of York Cycle works proved to have the strongest legs pulling clear of Andrew Guy, who narrowly beat young Tom Moses into third place.

RESULT

1. James Sharp. York Cycle works
2. Andrew Guy. Science in Sport
3. Tom Moses. Glendene/ Jnr Team
4. C Dunne. Glenedene/ Jnr Team
5. Tim Lawson. Science in Sport
6. J Bryan. Zepnat.com
7. A Murison. Glendene/ Jnr Team
8. M Armitage. VS Cycles
9. Richard Hepworth. Cycle Premier
10. C Stevenson. Boneshaker bikes
11. S Henson. Ellis Briggs RT
12. M Williams. Boneshaker bikes
13. Lee Ward. Heanor Clarion
14. P Axe. Sharrow CC
15. C Sewell. Chevin B&O RRT