| 5 August 2012
Report:
Colin Parry (Wilier/Live2ride) soloed the last lap to win the South Circuit Champs at a very wet Castle Combe Motor Racing Circuit just outside Chippenham in Wiltshire.
Colin tried several times to get away, and on each occasion he was reeled in by the bunch but after persevering, he along with team mate Toby Eichler and Grant Bayton (Ride 24/7) they eventually broke the elastic and got away from the bunch.
Very heavy rain along with thunder and lightning was the order of the day as the racing was hampered throughout its entire length. The race was very steady to start with riders trying to get away and coming back to the bunch until about half distance when Colin got away pulling Toby and Grant with him. Ben Luckwell, Colin’s team mate was on the front of the bunch to help control it as riders tried to bridge the gap.
As the laps ticked down the leaders had a sizeable gap and as they approached the finish line at the bell Colin made his final attack pulling away to lead the final lap alone. Grant was second and Toby third.
Provisional Result
1stColin Parry Wilier Live2Ride
2nd Grant Bayton Ride24/7
3rd Toby Eichler Wilier Live2Ride
4th Ben Luckwell Wilier Live2Ride
5th Nick Tilling GWR Racing
6th Rowan Horner VC St Raphael
7th Toby Neave Primera Racing
8th Paul Merryweather Bristol RC
Earlier in the day saw the races for the Junior and Women along with the masters. The women’s race was won by Ellie Gilham (VC St Raphael) ahead of Nikki Wheeler (Team Wiggle) and Alex Stubbs (Chippenham Wheelers).
The junior race was a hard fought affair with a strong group getting away soon into the race and staying away. Lap after lap they eased away from the bunch and finally with three laps to go they were all working together. As they came back into sight on the last lap all five were together and it was Jordan Wade (VC St Raphael) winning a closely fought sprint?
Provisional Result
1st Jordan Wade VC St Raphael
2nd Ben Le Brocq Jersey CA
3rd Andy Shackel VC St Raphael
4th Harry Veale i-Team
5th Luke Davis VC St Raphael
The morning started with a race for non-South riders in the third and fourth categories. The riders stayed together throughout the race with the race coming down to a sprint.
Provisional Result
1st Henry Dawson Prestige VC
2nd Blair Morgan
3rd Dave Bentley Somerset
4th Mark Field Addiscombe CC
5th Matt Derrick Dream CC
6th Martin Evans Torq
The next race was for E/1/2 non-south riders. After the first lap George Rose (Cycle Coaching Wales RT) pulled away and opened a gap of about ten seconds. The bunch looked content to roll around and bide their time.
After three more laps Andy Hoskins (Cardiff Jif) made the junction and these two riders extend the gap to fifteen seconds. These two riders then extended the lead to thirty seconds and they looked safe until they were joined by three riders, Jack Adams (Zappi’s), Phil Holloway (Southern Wheelers) and Henry Latimer (Dream Cycling). The gap to the bunch was reduced as these five riders organised themselves but once sorted the gap went out again.
With three laps to go the five became seven as first George Boote (Zappi’s) then Chris Snook (Banjocycles.com) got across. These riders now well clear of the bunch took the bell and then it was all down to who had the legs as they raced towards the line. With a hundred meters to go Jack Adams eased away and Chris Snook took the bunch sprint.
Provisional Result
1st Jack Adams Zappi’s CC
2nd Chris Snook Banjocycles.com
3rd George Boote Zappi’s CC
4th Andy Hoskins Cardiff Jif
5th George Rose Cycle Coaching Wales RT