Shropshire & South Staffs RRL R3

Chris Pook (Rhino Velo Race Team) showed that he was the fastest sprinter to clinch victory in round three of the Shropshire & South Staffs Road Race League.

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Shropshire & South Staffs RRL R3

Chris Pook (Rhino Velo Race Team) showed that he was the fastest sprinter to clinch victory in round three of the Shropshire & South Staffs Road Race League.

The 34-year-old, from Shrewsbury, timed his winning sprint to perfection after a gruelling race around a hilly Enville circuit near Stourbridge.

After finishing second in the first round Pook made no mistake on this occasion winning on the slightly downhill finish to take the overall Coaching Revolutions’ leaders yellow jersey. However, he was nearly thwarted by a late attack in the final few miles from Matthew Higgins (Mammoth Lifestyle RT) and Rhino Velo team-mate Ollie Hayward.

The duo looked to have snatched victory but were caught metres from the finish line. “I knew the form was there and I was hoping that the league table would reflect that,” said Pook following the victory.

“The final time up the climb we caught the first group. We worked hard up there and pushed on over the top meaning there wasn’t many riders left for the finish. With the run in to the finish it was just a case of sitting in and waiting. Peter Banham (DMW-Bridgtown) blinked first and opened up the sprint so I got on his wheel and bridged up to the leading two.

“I swung around him and just beat Higgins on the line. I wasn’t even sure where the finish line was. It was my second win of the season and my form is better than ever but there are 79 other guys who also want to win so it is hard to win a bike race.”
… continued after advert

2016_ShuttVeloRapideAdvert

“There are a lot of canny riders trying to win so it’s not always the person with the strongest legs.”

The handicap format saw the first ability based group, who were not caught last week, have an advantage of almost eight-and-a-half minutes at the start of the 32 miles race.

However, four times up the Six Ashes climb took their toll on the bunch and the last group caught all of those that started ahead of them on this occasion. Only 25 of the 77 starters came to the finish together with Higgins and Hayward sneaking a slight lead on the charging pack.

Higgins managed to hold on for second while Ben Joughin (Pro Vision RT) finished third. Overall leader Matthew Morris (Wolverhampton Whls) lost his overall lead but will remain as strong favourite for the veteran’s overall victory after finishing fifth.

Junior rider Alfie Mortimer (Mid Shropshire Whls) put in another strong showing to finish 14th on the night in the leading pack. After picking up all the top placing last week the first group failed to hold onto the faster riders on this occasion and came in a few minutes behind.

Pook took the overall leaders jersey but will be missing for several rounds next month when he travels to Colorado, USA, with some of his Rhino Velo team-mates to compete in a endurance road race over several days.

Results
1 Chris Pook (Rhino Velo RT) 32 miles in 1:23.57
2 Matthew Higgins (Mammoth Lifestyle RT) st
3 Ben Joughin (Pro Vision RT)
4 Kirk Vickers (Rhino Velo RT)
5 Matthew Morris (Wolverhampton Whls)
6 Joseph Hobbs (Halesowen A&CC)
7 Peter Banham (DMW-Bridgtown)
8 Josh Yates (Mammoth Lifestyle RT)
9 Matthew Garthwaite (Rhino Velo RT)
10 Ben Pinches (Wolverhampton Whls)

AlpsCyclesMidstory

 

Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

Cero

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: ,