Report: Surrey League Kermesse 2013

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James Champken (VC Venta) and Peter Allan a private member were winners in a puncture strewn couple of races at the lovely venue nestled in the heart of the South Downs.

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By Graham Robins | Saturday 24th August

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The morning race for third cat riders was a complete wash out in the heavy rain with five riders suffering flat tyres even before the start and several unable to complete the recce lap. A total of fourty two riders started and only sixteen finished and everyone of the DNFs was due to punctures.

The event was promoted by local bike shop Southdowns Bikes and the Surrey League and held in the town of Storrington, West Sussex. The lap was 3.1 miles in length and most of it was off road in the lovely Parham Park which was built in 1577 and covers 875 acres.

After a rolling lap start, Duncan Rimmer (Morden CRC) clipped off the front and got a few seconds lead but the heavy conditions brought him safely back into the bunch. On the fourth lap, the rain got heavier and more and more riders were forced out. So after ten laps it all came down to a bunch sprint which was won by James Champken (VC Meudon) from Declan Egan (Kingston Wheelers) and Matthew Bubear (Southdowns Bikes).

Provisional Result
1st James Champken VC Venta
2nd Declan Egan Kingston Wheelers @st
3rd Matthew Bubear Southdowns Bikes @st
4th Matthew Farren Brighton Mitre
5th Duncan Rimmer Morden CRC

Category 2/3/4

The second race of the day was for second and third cat riders and consisted of twelve laps. The rain had cleared up and the course had started to dry but the morning’s deluge had dragged more gravel onto the course causing even more punctures.

As the race rolled through the grounds, the bunch got smaller and smaller. It took five laps before the first attack to stick as Tim Wiggins (Wightlink-LCM Systems CRT) and Paul Flynn (Brighton Mitre) eased off the front and they were soon joined by Stuart Bettis (Southdowns Bikes).

These three riders worked well and soon open up a lead of 17secs, but there lead was short lived as by lap eight it all came back together. Two laps later Peter Allan clipped off the front and along with M Hawkins (Norwood Paragon) they opened up a 10 second lead.

Peter is a strong time trial rider and with just over ten miles to go, he pushed on through the finish line and waited to see who went with him. He looked back and saw he was alone so he kept pushing and at the bell his lead was over 35 seconds and he now had a secure lead which he held on to the finish.

As the bunch turned towards the finish line, Gareth Thomas (Kingston Wheelers) eased away from the chasing bunch to claim second spot and leaving the remainder of the bunch to sprint for the minor places.

Provisional Result
1st Peter Allan PM
2nd Gareth Thomas Kingston Wheelers @18secs
3rd David Webborn London Dynamo @33secs
4th James Bevan VC Meudon @st
5th Richard Unwin VC Meudon @st
6th James Mickelburgh London Dynamo @st
7th Paul Flynn Brighton Mitre @st
8th Ryan Visser Redhill CC @st
9th Stuart Bettis Southdowns Bikes @st
10th Andrew Carter PNECC @st

 

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