Great video of Wednesday’s action of Bath Cycle Races shot by the @BathUniCC guys. More to come next week from us!
Bath Cycle Races 2012 - Round 3 Wrap Up
(Pictures courtesy of Rich Wood)
On a sunny Wednesday evening there’s nothing better than watching the best that local road racing has to offer in Bath’s Victoria Park.
Round 3 of the increasingly popular race series yet again drew in riders from many of the local clubs and beyond with both the 3/4 and E/1/2/3 races close to capacity on the short and testing circuit. There was also an improved turnout for the women’s race which was especially encouraging. Adel Tyson-Bloor showed everybody else how to nail a sprint finish edging out Miriam Freemantle by just 0.013secs with Nicola Walters just 0.669secs behind. Let’s hope there’s more close racing to come from the women in the final two rounds.
In the Youth category Adam Beddall took his third victory in succession once again beating Rob Hogg to the line to take the points. Series victory looks set to be his come Round 5.
The 3/4s race produced another great finish with a large bunch of riders all in contention come the final lap with most riders content to keep the pace high and settle things late on. Last week’s winner Scott Chalmers looked set for another victory, calmly sitting on or near the front of the main group throughout but was narrowly beaten to the finish by Alec Rumball in a four man sprint including Michael Ward and Mark Munns. The 3/4s series will now surely go down to the wire with a different winner of each round so far.
The E/1/2/3s race was all about the Wilier/Live2Ride team. They controlled things from start to finish. Firstly Tavis Walker went for a solo effort managing at one point to gain an advantage of 28secs over the chasing pack. He was, however, slowly reeled in at which point another team rider bridged across to him and they pressed on to build up a small advantage. Again the bunch worked hard to pull them back with 1-2 laps to go. All the extra effort from the other teams finally took its toll and Mark Perry pounced in the final stages to take the victory by 1 sec from Jason Flooks with Ian Rees a little further back.
Thanks again to all who turned out to spectate and for Bath Uni CC for making sure things ran smoothly. Next up Round 4 and our turn to host!
Bath Cycle Races 2012 - Round 2 Wrap Up
(Picture courtesy of Rich Wood)
Undeterred by the rain, some 75 riders took part in another memorable evening of racing in Victoria Park. The rain just about held off (well, sort of) and thanks goes to all the riders for respecting the conditions and putting on some great racing.
Velo Club Walcot welcomes our newest club member, Callum Eaton, who raced the youth category in both Rounds 1 and 2. Having raced as a young lad, 15 year old Callum is keen to find his racing legs again. I’m sure you will all join us in wishing him good luck in the upcoming Rounds.
With his first ever race now safely tucked under his belt in Round 1 last week, fellow club member Giles Prentice successfully dealt with the wet roads on offer for Round 2. Onwards and upwards Giles!
Both the Cadence and Wilier teams have been very prominent during previous Bath Cycle Races, but despite another strong showing Round 2 saw the focus switch to the Dream Cycling Club, which is part sponsored by another one of Bath’s bike shops, Avon Valley Cyclery.
Scott Chalmers (Dream Cycling Club) took the win in the 3/4 Cat race, mastering the tricky conditions to triumph over the biggest field of the evening.
However, the stand out ride of evening came from Scott’s team mate and 2011 Bath Cycle Races 3/4th Category Series Champion, Alec Baskaya (Dream Cycling Club). Now racing the E/1/2/3 Category, Alec put in a big turn to break off the front and soloed to a well-earned victory, with the chasing pack crossing the line some 19 seconds behind.
Provisional results here:
http://www.dbmax.co.uk/store/other_results
Lots of photos to view:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dynamitedotorg/7166985654/in/set-72157629656078302
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57553967@N08/sets/72157629656649344/
Bath Cycle Races Rd 1 - What a great night of racing! After all the hard work the Bath Cycle Races Team (including Jon Arnold) had put into getting this race series up and running the response and turnout was amazing.
The 3/4 race sold out by about 6-30pm and riders were being turned away from the queue such was the popularity. This meant that 50 riders took to the start which also backed up and improved entry for the Youths/Women race as well. With about 30 riders in the E/1/2/3 race the racing was fast and frenetic.
Peter Medhurst won the 3/4 race by smallest of margins, 0.004 secs, edging out Ed Griffin and Michael Ward for the podium. The women’s race was also a close run affair with Miriam Freemantle just pipping Nicole Walters on the line. With an increased size of field over last year in the E/1/2/3 race there was a lot of expectation about how the race would pan out. The pace was quick from the start with mostly Wilier/Live2Ride and Cadence Cannondale controlling/patrolling the front. A number of riders tried to form a break-away group but none of them stayed clear for more than 1 or 2 laps such was the relentless pace. In the end it came down to a final lap tussle with ex-VC Walcot rider Tav Walker (Wilier/Live2Ride) laying his cards on the table early and going for a long one. It was, however, John Wager (Felt-Colbournes RT) who won by a couple of bike lengths from Nick Noble and Colin Parry. Another ex-VC Walcot rider Charles Coleman (Cadence Cannondale) got 6th and was the second best place non-Elite rider. Chapeau Charles.
Club members Giles Prentice and Michael Young (racing for Cadence RT) took part in the 3/4 race with it being Giles’ first ever road race. He came in a little bit down on the main bunch but enjoyed the experience and vowed to come back in the coming rounds and aim to finish in the pack.
If you missed the action there are some great photo sets here by:
See you all next week and don’t forget that 23rd May is our turn to host.
One day to go until Bath Cycle Races kicks off (or should that read pedals off). @antinbath captured some nice video from May 2011. If you want to get some of the action yourself click here: http://www.bathcycleraces.co.uk/
Sunday Group Ride - 29th April 2012
Sunday looks like it’s gonna be wet, very wet. Currently we don’t have a recognised leader either. If you’re planning on riding Sunday then please meet up at the normal time and place. The route and distance can be decided by those there at the time to keep things appropriate.
Meet 0930 Guildhall, Bath BA1 5AW
Alternatively, Michael Young and Chris Shrubshall and going for a 60-ish mile ride tomorrow to the north of the city. They’ll be riding at the usual group ride pace and meeting at 0815 for a 0830 start at the Guildhall.
Either way there are some miles to be had this weekend. If you’re not out on Sunday then see you all at Bath Cycle Races Round 1 on Wednesday evening.
Sunday Group Ride - 22nd April 2012
Paul Robson will lead this Sunday’s Group Ride. He even said he might go ‘North’ for once. What a treat! No specified route yet so speak to him before setting off from the Guildhall if you’re unsure about the route or distance.
Meet 0930 opposite the Guildhall, Bath BA1 5AW
Classics Ride 2012 - Sunny but chilly start to the ride, we eschewed our usual spot opposite the Guildhall for once. No one really aware of what was ahead of them:
56km, 1154m total ascent, 11 climbs, 16 riders, tights lanes and plenty of rough stuff.
We’ll be back for more same time next year……
Many thanks to Nick Rearden for the 1st and 2nd pics
The Velo Club Walcot here surprised to find a rare horizontal section on the annual Classics Run
Source: nickrearden
Classics Ride - 2012
Back for 2012 it’s the Classics Ride. Expect steep hills, tricky descents and rough lanes in true VC Walcot tradition. Route this year is the La Fleche Avon loop from 3 years ago. 34 miles doesn’t seem that far, does it? Be sure to check out the profile of this ride.
Retro wear and a dash of eccentricity are positively encouraged! This is always one of our most popular rides of the year.
We’ll have you back in time for the real deal on the TV too.
Meet 0930 opposite the Guildhall, Bath BA1 4BX with usual finish at Chelsea Rd Cafe.
See you there in your merino wear!
P.S. there’s an added bonus that the new club kit should be available for collection from Laurie after the ride.
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