Jack Granger Memorial Road Race

Sunday March 23rd 2008 : 67 miles

When I had to cancel the morning race at 9am due to 2 inches of snow the afternoon race looked very unlikely and I never dreamed I would be typing up a report this evening.  British weather is very unpredictable indeed. By the time signing on had closed 51 riders had put pen to paper 20 of these entered on the line.

The roads were clear and the riders keen so it started on time and it wasn’t long before an incident, on the first lap in Medbourne a crash took 4 riders out of the race Austin Jones, Simon Warren (Norwood Paragon), Russell Falder (Stafford RC) and Dave Palmer (cyclingbargains). The fast pace and the crash took around 15 riders out the back of the bunch by the time the first lap was completed.  The first move of the race happened on lap 2 when Matt Barrett (Lutterworth Cycle Centre) attacked between Medbourne and Drayton he was soon joined by Stephen Adams (Pearl Izumi/Planet X) they worked well together for half a lap or so before being joined by Andrew Stuart (Ashfield RC) and Dutchman Jeroen Janssen (TML Dommelstreek), although very early in the race this move looked decicive.

On Lap 3 the leaders were joined by another 5 riders, Dan Booth (Felt Racing), Robert Friel (TSW Cycles), Matthew Jones (Pearl Izumi/Planet X), Jon Mozley (Pearl Izumi/Planet X) and Andrew Williams (Cwmcarn Paragon).  Williams suffered some bad luck with 2 laps to go when he punctured, the Welshman had to wait for what was left of the bunch for the service which was following them. With a 8 second wheel change from master mechanic Bob ’Carbon’ Mitchell, Williams rejoined the main group but not for long as he takes flight up the road chasing the group he helped form.

Leading up to the bell the front group started to split with attacks coming in on the ‘devils staircase’ Mozley and Janssen looking strong but Stuart and Jones found it too much and lost contact.  The finish was a hard mans duel 7 times up ‘devils’ would be enough to break most and there can be no arguments about who the strongest was today.  Mozley took it with enough time and energy to fix the jersey, Janssen came in a close second with Dan Booth 7 second back and Matt Barrett in 4th at 11 seconds.

Pos No Name Club Time
1 28 Jon Mozley Pearl Izumi/Planet X 2hrs 53min 35s
2 57 Jeroen Janssen TML Dommelstreek (NED) ST
3 68 Dan Booth Felt Racing @7s
4 19 Matt Barrett Lutterworth Cycle Centre @11s
5 38 Robert Friel TSW Cycles @20s
6 26 Stephen Adams Pearl Izumi/Planet X @39s
7 56 Andrew Stuart Ashfield RC @2m 40s
8 29 Matthew Jones Pearl Izumi/Planet X @2m 54s
9 11 Andrew Williams Cwmcarn Paragon @3m 34s
10 55 Mike Jones Paramount RT @4m 3s
11 65 Jamie Burgan Rutland CC @4m 14s
12 63 Phil Axe Sharlow CC ST
13 60 Martin Smith AW Cycles ST
14 3 Owain Lovell Ashfield RC @4m 28s
15 62 Phil Wilkins MI Racing @5m 38s
16 15 Keith Haddon Heanor Clarion ST
17 40 Phil Rayner Welland Valley CC @6m 9s
18 25 George Atkins Pearl Izumi/Planet X @6m 12s
19 81 Mark Jacobi Rutland CC @6m 15s
20 59 Karl Freeman Team Corley Cycles @6m 21s
21 66 Dane Percival Cardiff Ajax @6m 25s

 

I was first aider as well as organizer so this is my race report as I saw and heard it over the radio (I was following the main bunch).  If any riders mentioned would like to mail any alterations please feel free.  

Regards Phil Wilkinson