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Clear skies overnight meant a chilly start for the full field of 3rd/4th cats around the undulating Bulmer circuit near Sudbury. Two riders attacked just after the start and Andy Ballentyne soon joined them. This group swelled to 8 riders before being pulled back by the bunch. Another small group then got away and stayed away for 2 laps or so before again being pulled back. Into the last lap, Andy got himself near the front and round the last bend probably hit the front too early up the finishing hill and was swallowed up by the bunch to finish 15th.
Result (London Cycle Sport)A full field of A, B and C cats got off to a lively start and it wasn't long before breaks were trying to go away. It was still quite tactical as there were a number of large teams riding who were either chasing or closing done the action. Andy Ballentyne tried a number of times to either get in breaks or across to others but each time was pulled back. On the penultimate lap a break of two did go clear and then a further three drifted away to join them and they stayed away for the win. In the bunch behind, Stuart Clarke (Chelmer CC) put in an attack on the road up to Ingatestone. Andy tried once more to get across but was again pulled back and therefore positioned himself in the leading readers. The Shaftesbury picked up the pace in the last kilometre, pulled back Stuart and then lead out the sprint. Andy jumped from 3rd spot, led briefly but could only manage fifth in the sprint - 10th overall.
Full Result (LVRC)The Spring like conditions prompted a field of 57 A-D cats into a 25 mph+ race and the field was soon strung out in several groups around the circuit. Andy Ballentyne, Dave Farrow (Eagle RC) and Anthony Wallis (LVRC) were amongst those stirring things up at the front but it wasn't until about 10 minutes to go that Anthony got away with Chris Baldwin (Eagle RC) and then Paul Crook (Beyond Mountain Bikes), Lee Desborough (St Ives CC) and finally Dave Farrow who was the last to get across. Andy tried but failed and had to content himself with the bunch sprint in which he was 5th (10th overall) but at least had the consolation of being the first 'B' cat'. In the lead group, Paul Crook took the sprint ahead of Lee, Anthony, Dave and then Chris.
Result (London Cycle Sport)A good turnout of keen 3 and 4th cats on what was a cold but dry day. Andy Ballentyne decided to test his legs on the full circuit - in previous years he has restricted his Hog Hill racing to the lower circuit (where possible) and finished in the bunch. A group of 6 riders got away mid race and finished a half lap up.
Result (London Cycle Sport)|
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