Ben Kellett wins the Ian Mountain Memorial RR on June 3rd in a race organised by Andrew Lowrie of Wakefield Cycling Club.
 |
Report and Photos by Andy May www.maysportsimages.comÂ
As was inevitable for a Jubilee Bank holiday weekend the weather was horrendous for this years Ian Mountain Memorial Road Race with constant rain and blustery wind. Add to that the numerous pot holes all over the circuit which Wakefield Council told the event organiser they can’t afford to repair and the 6 mile circuit around the streets of Streethouse, Normanton and Heath was to prove an even sterner test than usual. Ten laps gave a race distance of 60 miles.
Attacks came thick and fast right from the off and by lap 2 the field had split pretty much down the middle. Knottingley based Professional team Sportscover Altura RT had a strong presence in the race with their rider Ashley Brown involved in most of the opening exchanges. Lap 3 brought the decisive selection of the race when ever present Brown, along with team mate Joe Mose, William Haynes of Black Hawk Bikes and VS Cycles Ben Kellett broke clear from the lead group and rode away. Working together they quickly built up a lead of over a minute which they held to the finish. Team GB rider Rob Sharman, riding for Sportscover Altura RT, tried to bridge the gap initially with a couple of riders who he quickly dropped to finish alone inbetween the two main groups.
On the final lap with a couple of miles to go VS Cycles Ben Kellett attacked the lead group and held on for a comfortable win. Second place was a far closer affair with Sportcovers Joe Mose beating William Haynes by a tyre width. All the early digs that Ashley Brown had put in took there toll as he finished fourth, not contesting the sprint.
RESULT.
1st Ben Kellett. VS Cycles
2nd Joe Mose. Sportscover Altura RT
3rd William Haynes. Black Hawk Bikes
4th Ashley Brown. Sportscover Altura RT
5th Rob Sharman. Sportscover Altura RT
6th Craig Anderson. Black Hawk Bikes.
Event organiser Andrew Lowrie of Wakefield Cycling Club would like to thank all the marshalls and helpers who gave their time in atrocious weather conditions to put on a safe and successful race.
