Report: Don Valley Cycles Road Race

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1-2 for Derby Mercury as Paul Newton wins the Don Valley Cycles Road Race around the famous training grounds of Tom Simpson

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Julie Rodman reports

Well, the last road race of the season was held around the famous training grounds of Tom Simpson’s Harworth, the promoting club Doncaster Wheelers saved the best until last. The riders signed on with the magnificent back drop of Tom’s memorabilia in the famous glass case behind them. A firm reminder of the talent of the man and subsequent riders that had emerged from the region.

The sun came out and caught the riders by surprise so leg warmers were put away and they enjoyed riding in the Autumnal sunshine on a nice clear day. What a pleasant change for the end of September.

The small Serlby Circuit certainly made the riders work for the well deserved points today. With sight lines clear on the course not many riders could get away, as soon as a break occurred they we’re soon brought back again.

The first break came on the third lap with David Warrinder York Cylceworks and Mark Walker Hull thursday gaining 23 seconds,me these were to be brought back within the lap. The small rises on the course certainly were a wearing down factor.

Martin, the organiser, made it more interesting with offering cash prizes as primes shown to the bunch by a whistle and him dangling a carrot at the side of the road. The riders delivered with Adam Birsall Hargreaves cycles taking the first one, before he cruelly punctured out of the industrial estate.

The second prime went to local rider Martin Wheeldon Doncaster Wheelers, the third went to Peter Anderson Elite CC. With the third prime being won and riders looking at each other, Chris Last. Clay cross RT decided that safety was best on your own at the front, he attacked out of the industrial estate, after the miles in his legs from just being part of the winning team taking part in the race around Ireland. He certainly had the endurance for the win.

As the bell was rung Chris’s lead was reduced to eight seconds with three riders driving to get across to him, Derby Mercury riders Paul Newton and Jon Bonnett along with Martin Wheeldon. These connected on the Blythe road 2km from the finish. With the team mates working well to out jump and out manoeuvre the other riders it was Derby mercury’s for the taking.

They didn’t disappoint with Paul Newton taking the win, from team mate Jon Bonnett in second just holding off Chris Last the local Rotherham rider, who got third from Martin Wheeldon the promoting clubs rider in fourth.

Two riders came over for fifth and sixth Paul Stubbs Ferryhill Wheelers and promising rider Tom Davison Wakefield CC. Andrew Richardson who recovered from his crash the other week, winning the bunch sprint for 7th place.

It was an excellently organised event by Martin Maltby and the Doncaster Wheelers team, friendly smiling marshalls, NEG out riders were worth their weight in gold patrolling everything that moved, Spot on judging and the riders could go back and celebrate with a well deserved pint at the finish. What more could you ask for….even sunshine!

Roll on next year.

Results
1. Paul Newton Derby Mercury
2. Jon Bonnett Derby. Mercury
3. Chris Last. Clay cross RT
4. Chris Thompson. VS cycles
5. Paul Stubbs Ferryhill Wheelers
6. Tom Davison Wakefield CC
7. Andrew. Richardson. VS cycles
8. Martin Wheeldon Doncaster wheelers
9. Jon Harvey Dinnington RC
10. Jon Savage Clifton CC
11. Stuart Bannister West Yorkshire Police
12. Paul Hickman. Malton Wheelers
13. Matthew Williams Jones University of Sheffield CC
14. Mark Scratchard. Dirtwheels
15. Adam Smith. Beeston RC

 

 

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