Holme Valley Wheelers 2 Day

Holme Valley Wheelers organised a 2 Day stage race for Elite, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Cat riders last weekend. Friday’s 33mile road stage in Honley was cut short by 3 laps due to heavy rain & fading light. Ben Ives (WeLoveMountains) took a well deserved win & the leader’s yellow jersey after 12 ascents of the 18% climb of Bradshaw road, only 15 riders were left in the leading group and many were lapped or didn’t make it to the finish. Jacob Scott (Planet X) was best of the local riders in 12th place, an impressive result for the former Holme Valley Wheeler.

The weather hadn’t improved much on Saturday morning for the 10 mile Time Trial on the Sovereign course, the riders faced more rain & a strong headwind in the final half of the race. James Gullen (Metaltek-Scott) recorded a lightning quick time of 22min 33sec, enough to move into the overall lead going in to the final 55 mile road race stage on the Denby Dale course. Alastair Hepworth (Batley CC) from Kirkburton was fastest local rider in 25min 5sec.

Metaltek-Scott team mates Tom Barras & Simon Wilson finished over 3 minutes in front of their nearest rivals after 55 miles of racing in the afternoon. Wilson claimed the overall victory with James Gullen in 2nd & Ben Ives in 3rd place. Local rider Ben Kellett (VS Cycles) had looked strong throughout the race but had to drop out of the final stage as he was totally exhausted. Former Holme Valley Wheeler Richard Binks (Clay Cross RT) finished in 20th overall & described the race as the “hardest race he’d done in years”. Jacob Scott finished in 12th place overall, one place ahead of Mirfield’s Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT)

As well as the 2 day race Holme Valley Wheelers promoted an Open 10 Mile Time Trial which took place between stages 2 & 3. World Champion track rider Laura Trott (Matrix Fitness-Prendas) was the star attraction winning the ladies prize in a record time of 24min 34sec. Alastair Wareham (Team Swift) was fastest with a time of 22min 12sec, Huddersfield Star Wheeler Andrew Pearson was 4th in 24min 41sec. Wareham will surely lower the course record this year if he gets more favourable conditions.

Here are the times for the HVW Sovereign TT League for last Wednesday.

1st Ben Kellett (VS Cycles)  23:31
2nd Gareth Owen (Team Swift) 24:39
3rd Jacob Scott (Planet X) 24:38
4th Chris Harris (HVW)26:00
5th Andrew Kerry (HVW) 27:01
6th Rachael Mellor (HVW) 27:05 (1st lady)
7th Derek Johnstone (HVW) 27:31
8th Gordon Moss (HVW) 28:15

John Hick (Holme Valley Wheelers) was 3rd place in the Seniors race in the latest round of the Yorkshire Summer Cyclo-Cross series at Colne Valley High School on Wednesday. Race organiser Andy Whitworth designed a tough & gruelling course for the 73 riders that took part. The race was won by Rob Thackray (Paul Milnes RT) with Mike Young (Pedalsport CC) only just getting the better of Hick in a close battle for 2nd place. Holme Valley Wheeler Lewis Byram was fastest Under 16 rider in 21st place with club mate Lee Brown in 24th, Ivan Boyes was fastest of the Huddersfield Star Wheelers in 30th position.

Pedalsport CC riders dominated the Under 14s race with riders in the top 4 positions, Jenson Young was first across the line. Jim Brown (Holme Valley Wheelers) was first of the local riders in 5th place & Huddersfield Road Club’s Tom Whitworth was in 9th position & Hannah Whitworth was 2nd placed Under 10 Girl. Alex Bailey (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) was 2nd Under 8 Boy.

Kirklees Cycling Academy held their first Go-Ride race of the year at Spen Valley Sports College on Thursday. On an extremely wet night riders representing 4 different clubs competed in 2 Cyclo-Cross races & despite the weather thoroughly enjoyed the evenings racing. Pedalsport rider Oliver Walton was 1st boy in the Expert group with Ruby Boyes 1st placed girl. In the Beginner group Rebecca Rosser (East Bradford CC) narrowly beat Kate Shaw (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) into 2nd place.

This Thursday Kirklees Cycling Academy are organising a Go-Ride race at Richard Dunns Sports Centre in Bradford. Racing will start at 7pm contact Ivan on 01484 302846 for more information.

Photos from the HVW 2 Day, Open 10 & the Cyclo-Cross at Colne Valley on the Flaming Photography website.