Weekly Roundup
The competitive road cycling season for 2022 is now well underway with races taking place in the North West region most weekends.
On Saturday club riders Iain Hazell and Mark Berry rode out in a strong third/fourth category criterium on the Salt Ayre Circuit at Lancaster. The inaugural circuit race of the season took place in bright but breezy conditions. After a pacy start both riders established themselves in the thirty strong bunch for the 55 minute race. Berry remained consistently in the front few, with Hazell comfortable in the bunch. A break of two went with 2/3 of the race completed, Berry putting in significant effort at the front to try to bring it back. Both riders will testify to some "sketchy" moments but the race was eventually won by a lone rider with Berry sprinting to a very creditable 5th and Hazell 18th. Both riders will race alongside James Eastwood in their first road race of the season on the Bashall Eaves Circuit near Clitheroe this weekend.
In the women's race, club rider Kate Taylor rode representing Liverpool University to come third in a decent race considering the disappointingly small field. She will race at Lancaster again this weekend.
On the time trial scene there were back-to-back events in the North Lancs Spoco series with a 15 mile event at Knowle Green on Saturday followed by the 30 mile Clitheroe – Skipton – Clitheroe event on Sunday. Unfortunately, the Rossendale RC’s team was hit by injuries and withdrawals and it was down to the ‘B’ team to fly the flag for the valley club. And they just couldn’t match the strength of the Tactic Sport UK outfit who took 3 places in the top ten. The event was won overall by Richard Bideau of Pendle Forest in a time of 33.01 min. Individual times for the Rossendale squad were 41.25m for Derek Schofield, 42.52m for Mick Taylor on a standard road bike and 44.54 for Paul Warrener.
It was only Schofield who made it to the start line on Sunday morning and, in cool and blustery conditions, turned in a creditable 1:26:39 hr for his 21st spot, the event won again by Richard Bideau for his highly successful weekend.
On Tuesday evening Tim Lawson from Secret Training delivered an insightful talk on all things nutrition, fuelling and recovery. Check out secret-training.com. There is also a very generous discount for club members.
On the non-competitive front, The club invites all to their Thursday evening social rides, leaving Kay St car park at 6:15pm. Normally about 2 hours, these rides are set at an easy pace, with 2 groups if sufficient numbers. Please have lights, and mudguards if wet!
Photos:
Kate Taylor takes an early lead
Iain Hazell in the final sprint to the finish
Rossendale ‘B’ team, second placed team at Knowle Green
Tim Lawson delivers a talk on nutrition at Marl Pits
