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Kingsbridge Road Race Report

Event: 3rd April 2011 | Report: Don Rigby

On Sunday morning April 3rd, 57 cyclists left Blackawton for the start of a 40 mile road race running between Dartmouth and Kingsbridge. Such an event has not been seen in this area for some years now and as a result riders were drawn in from all over the south west, and a team even made the trip all the way from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. The event was organised by Will Hornby of Kingsbridge based cycling club Cycle Sport South Hams, and the club was represented in the race by Andrew Thompson, Mark Foale, Alan Sanders and Don Rigby.

Above: Thompson and Foales mid bunch

The first half of the course was extremely fast with riders averaging around 27mph and as a result the bunch began to split from the outset. Constant attacks at the front kept the pace high, but each time the break away riders were eventually pulled back, such as CSSH's Andrew Thompson's strong move on the climb up to Stanborough.

Above: Watts leads the bunch

By the second lap nearly half the original field was strung out, and soon the main bunch was down to little more than 20 riders. Bad luck meant that two CSSH riders had to retire, one with a broken bicycle frame and another with a puncture, leaving Thompson and Foale's to fly the flag for the local club. Valiant team efforts were made by the Guernsey riders and also Exeter Wheelers, but probably the best individual attack was that by Pete Vincent of Mid Devon CC although eventually he too was reigned in and finished 4th.

Above: The bunch at Stumpypost on lap two.

On the line it was a mass sprint with fast finishing sixteen year old Junior George Pym of Exeter Wheelers taking the win ahead of his club mate Ian Fensome.

The first ladies prize was won by Wiebke Rietz 1st Chard Wheelers and Exeter Wheelers also took the team prize home.

All in all a great race with plenty of action, thanks to all those who volunteered to help on the day.

Top Ten | Full Result

1st George Pym - Exeter Wheelers
2nd Ian Fensome - Exeter Wheelers
3rd Seb Baylis - 1st Chard Wheelers
4th Pete Vincent - Mid Devon CC
5th Ashley Watts - Mid Devon CC
6th Philip Touzeau - Guernsey Velo
7th Steve Thomas - Bristol RC
8th Kenny Parker - Mid Devon CC
9th Andrew Perkins - Mid Devon CC
10th Ken Holder - Parramount CRT