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Report: Newquay Velo Road Race

Event: 17th April 2011
Promoted by: Newquay Velo
Event HQ: Otterham Primary School, Marshgate, Cornwall
Report: Andrew Parker

The Newquay Velo Road Race took place last Sunday with 60 riders taking the start line in the Regional A event. For organisers Newquay Velo it was their first promotion and for a club that was only formed six months ago they pulled it off with style. Marshals received Cornish Pasties for their efforts and the riders were rewarded with over £250 in prizes and post race massage.

Above: Jake Durant takes the chequered flag

The 50 mile event near Davidstow was run over eight laps of a testing course. With the finishing drag into a headwind providing the main action. With eleven riders in the field it was expected that the Mid Devon CC would have a big influence on the race and when Jake Durant opened a gap with Seb Bayliss of 1st Chard Whls no one was surprised. Over the early laps the pair extended their lead but were joined at half distance by Scott Tompkinson of South Fork and Ashley Watts of the Mid Devon CC with the bunch now at two minutes.

Above: The bunch in sunny conditions

The remaining laps proved to be a war of attrition with Junior rider Bayliss paying for his early efforts and dropping back to the bunch to leave three riders in the lead. Meanwhile the bunch slowly reduced in size as the chasing efforts of the Exeter Wheelers team ensured a healthy pace. In the closing stages Nick Pilborough of Dream Zero jumped away and was joined by Brennan Townsend and Mark Dolan both Mid Devon but they had left their effort too late to catch the leaders. Durant powered away on the finishing climb to take the win followed by Watts and a valiant Tompkinson.

Above: Leading trio of Jake Durant, Ashley Watts and Scott Tompkinson

South West Regional Events Officer Andy Parker was pleased with the success of the promotion and the enthusiasm of the organising team. "It was a great event, run off in excellent conditions, I'm looking forward to working with all the Cornish clubs this winter to really push on the road scene. Its evident that bike racing in Cornwall is booming and there is a real opportunity to expand the events available and encourage more people to participate"

Above: Elliot Davis GB Fire Service wins the bunch sprint for 7th

Result

1st Jake Durant Mid Devon CC
2nd Ashley Watts Mid Devon CC
3rd Scott Tompkinson South Fork Racing
4th Brennan Townshend Mid Devon CC
5th Nick Pilborough Dream Zero
6th Mark Dolan Mid Devon CC
7th Eliott Davis GB Fire Service
8th Miles Earl Yogi Cycling
9th Kenny Parker Mid Devon CC
10TH Keith Satchwell Primal Europe RUTT Ricci Bike Chain
11th George Pym Exeter whls
12th Darren Manser One and All
13th Andy Perkins Mid Devon CC
14TH Tom Cann Shred Racing
15th Mark Haynes One and All

British Cycling would like to thank the organising team, officials and everyone else who helped promote this event. Our sport could not exist without the hundreds of people, many of them unpaid volunteers, who put in many hours of hard work running events, activities and clubs.