Report: Roman City Road Race

Alec Rumball from the promoting club Bath CC took a fine solo win in today’s race held over the M.O.D. land on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire.

Graham Robins writes … Alec along with Aled Jones (Gloucester City CC) came to the 1km marker but it was Alec who was the stronger and he eased away towards the finish. The morning started warm and sunny and once the early morning mist cleared the temperatures rose and it was soon apparent that there were to be a few riders unable to sustain the climbing on a hard rolling course.

As soon as the neutralised section had been completed from the HQ at Chitterne the road climb up and onto the plains and the first rider to show was Callum Lister (Corinium CC) and he eased away from the bunch as it headed towards Shrewton and then onto Tilshead before turning back towards the finish line to complete the first of four laps and a total mileage of 74 Kms.

As the race continued a small group of three riders are now pushing on and they open a gap of about 15 secs, the three riders Callum, Alec and Mark Hudson (Bristol South CC). As these three complete the first lap its Mark who drops back as they ascend the climb away from Chitterne and on toward the first of two primes.
At Tilshead on the second lap Callum and Alec hold a 30 secs lead over a chasing bunch with the riders from Bristol RT trying to control it. At the finish line it’s Callum that takes the Centurion prime just ahead of Alec with Ian Humble (Gloucester City CC) the first of the bunch.

The third lap saw the bunch speed up and pull the race all back together and as they ride around towards the next prime there is nothing between them. The next prime, the Gladiator Prime was won by Sebastien Finch (VO2 Development) from Alec and Darren Gardner (Cadence RT).

On the last lap Aled Jones was allowed by the bunch to slip of the front as they headed towards the turn at Shrewton and he held this lead until Tilshead where he was joined by Alec and Duncan Lancashire (Behind the Bikeshed). Once clear of the main road and towards the finish Alec eased away and at the finish line he had time to sit up and celebrate his win.

Provisional Result
1st Alec Rumball Bath CC
2nd Duncan Lancashire Behind the Bikeshed @11secs
3rd Aled Jones Gloucester City CC @16secs
4th Callum Lister Corinium CC
5th Sebastien Finch VO2 Development
6th Matt Blackmore Bristol RC
7th Gareth Adams Cadence RT
8th Mark Hudson
9th Oliver Fowles VC Walcot
10th Davis Hutchinson VC St Raphael

Centurion Prime Callum Lister
Gladiator Prime Sebastien Finch
Decimator Prize Alec Rumball

And there was an award for the ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ which was awarded to the last rider and this was won by Adele Martin GB Cycles who wins a free entry to next year’s race.