Good ride by Cherry Valley pair

On a course that didnt suit either Richard Robinson or Gareth Williams, the Cherry Valley pair produced good rides to finish strongly in one of the last road races of the season.

The Thurcroft circuit was shot, which didn’t suit either Gareth or Richard and was undulating with no flat at all and each of the 20 laps consisted of a technical 2.1 mile circuit. With the event barely 200 yards old a brief but fierce attack was launched by Jack Ibbotson (Doncaster Wheelers) which Gareth marked and crossed alone at great speed. This breakaway was short lived as the bunch was alert and soon brought the escapes back to heel, but in a prefect text book move, team mate Richard launched a second attack which looked to be gaining ground quickly but some sharp reactions from, the bunch also brought this move back and as the riders completed the first lap the race was all back together again on one bunch.

Turning off the finish climb for the first time and with the wind behind them, former Elite rider Mike Moss launched his attack and was followed by Richard Williamson, Jack Ibbotson, Gareth and former professional Rob Blackburn. With all 5 riders committed to the move with 19 laps remaining, it was eyeballs out for the next few laps as they gradually moved 30 seconds clear of the chasing pack. Once settled into a rhythm, the breakaway companions took advantage of a hesitant bunch, which was being carefully policed by Richard who was ensuring now serious chases were mounted by disrupting the rhythm of the riders at the front of the bunch, and the breakaways had a lead of 1 minute 20 seconds at half distance.

With 10 laps to go, the breakaway 5 riders had a clear and comfortable lead, Richard had another all out effort at escaping the main bunch to try and seal a high placing for himself. Despite his brave efforts and staying clear from the main pack for a lap, Richard was caught and decided to see out the rest of the race policing the front of the bunch.

Now with only 5 laps remaining, the breakaway group containing Gareth had a 2 minute lead over the chasing bunch as Ibbotson made several attempts to move clear but each time he was brought back. Coming through the finish line with 2 laps remaining, Mike Moss made his move for victory as he rounded the corner at the top of the finish climb and was quickly followed by Richard Williamson. The pair quickly opened up a lead of 200 metres but Moss was doing all the work and Williamson was unable to help and although the pair stayed clear of the break for a mile, an attentive Gareth, Blakburn and Ibbotson brought them back to heel and taking the bell for the final lap of the race, all 5 breakaway riders were back together and looking at a sprint to decide the winner.

The final lap saw no riders make a move to get clear and some steady work at the front by all the breakaways saw them all approach the final 200 metres together. Under the railway bridge for the final time and onto the finishing climb, Blackburn opened up the sprint for the line and was followed quickly by Williamson as Moss came around Gareth to move into 3rd place as day light grew between the sprinters and Ibbotson who was now in 5th place. Approaching the line Gareth tried to follow Moss’s wheel but could hold it as Moss went into the right hand gutter to make it 3 riders going for the win. On the line Blackburn just pipped Williamson for the win and Moss was third, Gareth 4th and Ibbotson 5th.

Meanwhile, 2 minutes behind, the bunch had fragmented and Richard managed to hold on for a well deserved 15th place as he was passed by riders who had not done a tap of work or seen the front all day.