Yorkshire’s Tom Murray of Sigma Sport Specialized outsprinted Dexter Gardias of Forme to win the Sheffrec CC E/1/2/3 Evening RR
Dean Downing stringing them out … Photo Andy Jones
Marc Etches writes … A field of 41 riders departed the Fox and Goose in dull, windy conditions to tackle 17 laps of the Barlow Triangle Circuit on the edge of the Peak District. 4 riders attacked as soon the neutralised flag was dropped. Newly promoted first cat rider, Dan Storey of Sheffrec along with Kit Gilham (Sigma Sport Specialized) and Jamaican Elite rider Marlow Rodman from Team Sportscover gained a few seconds but on lap two all was back together. Lap three saw Tom Murray of Sigmasport Specialized Cycling Team, Dexter Gardias of Forme / Impsport / SanLanmere and first lap attacker Marlow Rodman break free from the fast paced peloton. These three soon established a 23 second advamtage with Tom Barras (Cycle Premier Metaltek) driving the main bunch to try and close the gap.
The trio soon established a 30 second gap but the pace of Murray and Gardias was too much for Rodman who slipped back into the main bunch on lap 6. The remaining pair increased their lead lap after lap and maintained a 50 second advantage for a number of laps. Riders soon started to drop off the main bunch as Tom Barras and Dean Downing (Rapha Condor Sharp) drove hard to try and bridge the gap to the two escapees. Such was the pace that the main bunch was now just down to nine riders and a further ten riders were 12 seconds in arrears.
Tom Barras works hard to bring back the break. Photo Andy Jones
With three laps to go, Murray and Gardias were still well ahead with a lead nearing the minute mark. In the closing stages, Downing drove hard on the front and the gap was soon down to 46 seconds with just one lap to go. The late surge came too late, leaving Murray and Gardias to fight out for the win in the sprint. Gardias lead out the run for the line but Murray eased past in the last 100 metres to claim a well earned victory. The ever closing group of 5 riders were soon galloping for the line and team mate of Gardias, Will Fox claimed 3rd spot with Tom Barrass just edged out into 4th place. Marlow Rodman, Kit Gilham and Dean Downing finishing close behind.
The remaining bunch of 12 riders came in over one minute down with Duncan Moralee, Sportscover Stategic Altura winning the sprint to claim 8th. A special mention has to go to Ivan Boyes for battling on solo for pretty much all of the race, finishing in far from ideal conditions. Sheffrec CC would like to thank all the marshals, car drivers and commissaires, Dave Stewart and Julie Rodman and also Craig from the Fox and Goose Public House for provding a great venue for the headquarters.
Victory for Murray. Photo Andy Jones.
Will Fox winning the kick for third. Photo: Andy Jones
1. Tom Murray Sigmasport Specialized Cycling Team 1st
2. Dexter Gardias Forme / Impsport / SanLanmere 1st Same Time
3. Will Fox Forme / Impsport Elite @ 26 seconds
4. Tom Barras Cycle Premier – Metaltek Elite
5. Marlow Rodman Team Sportscover Elite
6. Kit Gilham Sigma Sport Specialized Elite @ 29 seconds
7. Dean Downing Rapha Condor Sharp Elite @ 31 seconds
8. Duncan Moralee Sportscover Stategic Altura 1 @ 1 minute 8 seconds
9. Alistair Rutherford Science in Sport.com Elite
10. Jamie Burgan Boneshakersbikes.com / Trek 1st
11. Alastair Kay Herbalife / Wheelbase 1st
12. Matthew Williams Boneshakersbikes.com / Trek 1st
13. Chris Daddy Star Bikes RT 2nd
14. Tom Last Sigmasport Specialized Cycling Team 1st
15. Rob Orr Gardias Forme / Impsport / SanLanmere 2nd
16. Martin Ford, Mammouth RT 1st
17. James Baillie Sheffield Sports CC 2nd Junior
18. Jacks Cutsforth Herbalife / Wheelbase 1st @ 1 minute 11 seconds
19. Daniel Storey Sheffrec CC 1st @ 1 minute 15 seconds
20. David Clarke Endura Racing Team Elite
21. Ivan Boyes Huddersfield Star Wheelers 3rd @ 3 laps
