Womersley Wins in Newcastle

Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT) had his first win of the 2012 season in the Newcastle Leazes Criteriums last Friday. Racing in the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Cat event round a tricky course in Leazes Park, Newcastle, Womersley just edged out Karl Denton (Blumilk RT) in the bunch sprint. The Mirfield youngster is obviously in good form following his 2nd place in the support race at Otley Town Centre races 2 weeks ago.

Another local rider in top form is VS Cycles Ben Kellett who won the Ron O’Brien Memorial Road race for 2nd, 3rd & 4th Cat riders on Sunday in Merseyside. Kellett won the 50 mile race by 100 yards from 2nd place rider Mark Perry (Dirtwheels Cycles). Former Holme Valley Wheeler Jacob Scott (Planet X) finished in 8th place.

The 5th round of the Yorkshire Summer Cyclo-Cross series took place in Harrogate last Wednesday. Once again Pedalsport riders took the first 4 places in the Under 14s race with Matt Taylor getting the win. Huddersfield Road Club’s Tom Whitworth was 10th, Huddersfield Star Wheeler Luca Longo was 2nd Under 8 Boy, club mates Ella Hampson & Katie Shaw were 2nd Under 10 Girl & 2nd Under 8 Girl respectively.

90 riders were on the start line for the Over 14s race, John Hick (Holme Valley Wheelers) was best of the local riders with 7th place & the winner was Billy Harding (Paul Milnes RT). There was a great battle between Huddersfield Road Club’s Andy Whitworth & Owen Mitton with Lee Brown (Holme Valley Wheelers). Brown had had a fantastic result the previous night at Brighouse Town Centre races where he finished in 3rd place in the 3rd & 4th Cat race. Whitworth finished ahead of Brown & Mitton in 27th position.

The next event is next Wednesday at Brooksbank School, Elland. Under 14s start at 7pm, Over 14s race at 7.30pm.

Otley Crits

There were some fantastic performances from local riders at the Otley Town Centre Races last Wednesday night. The event which featured the National Circuit Race Championships as the finale to the evenings racing. New Mill youngster Gabriel Cullaigh (RST Racing Team) started the evening in fine style winning the Under 16 boys event by half a wheel in an extremely tight bunch sprint from Fabio Close (Velocity RT) with Leon Gledhill (BBM Revolution CC) from Shepley in 3rd place. Cullaigh’s team mate Abby Mae Parkinson from Liversedge was 2nd in the Under 16 girls which was won by Melissa Lowther (Aire Valley RT). Kirklees Cycling Academy rider Lucy Aldridge had her best ever result in a road race taking 3rd place in the Under 14 girls race, Henrietta Colbourne (Beacon Wheelers) was first across the finish line.

In the Chevin Cycles Classic race for 2nd, 3rd & 4th riders Mirfield’s Jake Womersley (Sportscover Altura RT) was never far from the front & after 45 minutes just missed out to Lee Tunnicliffe (Clay Cross RT) in the sprint finish. Michael Collins (RST Racing Team) was looking good in the leading group until a crash on the final lap put him out of contention.

The National Championship race was blisteringly fast & was won by Endura’s Scott Thwaites. Huddersfield professional Tom Murray (IG SIgmasport) was 11th place, Holme Valley youngster Jacob Scott (Planet X) had a great ride holding his own with the best riders in the country in only his first year as a Junior rider.

Mark Thaxter (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) clocked a personal best & club record in the Walsall CC 25 mile Time Trial last Saturday. Despite a strong headwind on the outward leg Thaxter knocked 51 seconds off his previous best to win the event in 50 min 28 sec, over 30 seconds faster than 2nd placed rider Adam Gascoigne.