Location: Harworth Sports Pavilion, Bircoates, Yorkshire
Event: 16 September 2012
Report: Julie Rodman/Snowdon Sports
Photo: Shaun Flannery
Jonathan Stanlake of Stockport grabbed a win from a tight 14-lap race in Bircoates, Yorkshire. Fifty four riders took to the start line and were eagerly chasing last minute points to gain their categories for next season.
The undulating course was swept by strong winds, making it difficult for a break to get going. No rider ever managed to get more than 30 seconds in front before being quickly swallowed up again by the bunch.
A brace of riders, Peter Fielding-Smith (Richardsons CT/Cube) and Jonathon Hall, made an attempt to stay away and gained a gap of 30 seconds at one point.
This was to stay for two laps before the main group decided to reel them in, this was to stay the way with all riders grouped together until they hit the final two laps.
But Stanlake was one of the main competitors throughout the race and featured prominently in the battle at the front and it was a good move from him as he jumped away from the lead group. He was joined by two others - Pete Fielding-Smith and Paul Hickman (Malton Wheelers).
The peloton didn't look to have the urge to chase these riders and it stayed that way until the finish, despite the last minute dash for points, these three stayed away, to be followed by the main bunch.
But as the finish line came into sight, the bunch had almost caught them with the fight for fourth place being won by Nicholas Jepson of Beeston RC).
Results:
3/4:
1 Jonathan Stanlake (unattached)
2 Peter Fielding-Smith (Richardsons RT/Cube)
3 Paul Hickman (Malton Wheelers)
4 Nicholas Jepson (Beeston RC)
5 Cameron Riley (Dinnington RC)
6 Alessandro Williams (Tunstall Wheelers)
7 Andy Shaw (Dinnington RC)
8 Benjamin Harvey (Stocksbridge CC)
9 David Shields (unattached)
10 John Wilkinson (BBM Cycles)
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.
