Report: Velo Club Montpellier’s Elite Criterium

Success for Node 4’s Matt Higgins at Cheltenham as he wins the Elite race in style

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On the eve of Bradley Wiggins making British sporting history, elite cyclists from around the UK headed to Cheltenham racecourse to compete in a Velo Club Montpellier’s Elite Criterium. The stage was set for a great evening of live sporting action, with many top elite cyclists, including former Premier Calendar race winner Mathew Higgins (Node4-Giordana) and local elite Ben Stockdale (Metaltek-Scott), heading to the famous home of national hunt racing.

Photo: Glenn Watts

As in previous rounds, the one hour race started fast, with Higgins and Stockdale attacking the fast moving peloton of 30 or so riders early on. The pair worked hard in the first half of the race. However, it soon became apparent that semi-pro Higgins was the strongest as he seemed effortless on the bike. The peloton behind were working hard, with Swindon’s Team GWR pushing hard to bring the pair back. Slaughters based Stockdale, who will soon be heading to Poland for a stage race with his team, dropped back, unable to sustain the efforts of the criterium specialist Higgins.

On the final laps, Higgins knew he had the race won and crossed the finish line on his own to take the first prize of £300, much to the delight of the large crowd. Tom Stockdale (Primal Europe), younger brother of Ben, took the bunch gallop to the line for second, beating his brother who took third.

Photo: Glenn Watts

Cheltenham and County CC’s youth races were well supported with nearly 40 children racing. The highlight of the evening was Gloucester City’s Adam Beddall winning the under 16s race in front of a large local crowd. Stratford CC once again put in strong performances across the board, with Luke Simmonds winning the under 10s and Keir Lewis winning the under 14s.

Velo Club Montpellier would like to thank Cheltenham and County Cycling Club, Leisure Lakes, Cheltenham Racecourse, C & G Scaffolding and photographer Glenn Watts for supporting this series throughout the three rounds.

RESULTS

Men’s Senior results (20.7.12):
1. Matthew Higgins, Node 4 Giordana
2. Tom Stockdale, Primal Europe
3. Ben Stockdale, Metaltek-Scott
4. Richard Cartland, Team Corley Cycles
5. Russell Falder, Cycle Premier – Kovert
6. Adrian Bird, Rapid Performance Coaching RT
7. Martin Smith, Primal Europe
8. Rob Westwood, M&D Kinetica Racing Team
9. Rupert Denny, GWR Team
10.Ewan McDonald, Mirmic CT

Youth results:

U8s
1st – James Bullar – Brook Cycles
2nd – Jacob Barrett – Stratford CC
3rd (1st girl) – Cerys Simmonds (Girl) – Stratford CC
4th – Leo Tarrrant – Cheltenham & Co CC
5th – Daniel Ascroft – Cheltenham & Co CC
6th – Jacob Smith – Cheltenham & Co CC
7th (2nd Girl) – Cerys Roderick – private

U10s
1st – Luke Simmonds – Stratford CC
2nd – David Meyer – Cheltenham & Co CC
3rd – Jonno Todd – Stratford CC
4th -Sam Roderick – Private
5th – Caitlin Coleman – Private

U12s
1st – Andrew Wheatley – Halesowen CC
2nd – Ben Sluman – VC Montpellier
3rd – Harrison Smith – Cheltenham & Co CC
4th – Tsvetelsk Kostadsvov – Private

U14s
1st – Keir Lewis – Stratford CC
2nd (1st Girl) – Megan Chard – Bush Healthcare
3rd – Joe Wood – Cheltenham & Co CC
4th – Owen Zodd – Stratford CC

U16s
1st – Adam Beddall – Gloucester City CC
2nd – Preslav Dimitrav – Stratford CC
3rd – Andrew Butler – Stratford CC
4th – Jack Mattock – Cheltenham & Co CC
5th – Tom Marshall – VC Montpellier
6th – Harry Lock – Cardiff Ajax
7th – Ben Williams – Epic
8th – Thomas Lane – Stratford CC

 

 

 

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