Heath Race Series: Plumb Leads Venta 1-2

James Plumb and Oliver Winwood-Bratchell made it a 1-2 for VC Venta at the Heath race series on Tuesday evening.

Heath Race Series: Plumb Leads Venta 1-2
(thanks Eamonn Deane)

James Plumb and Oliver Winwood-Bratchell made it a 1-2 for VC Venta at the Heath race series on Tuesday evening. The Venta pair were part of a seven man group that went clear on the first of four 7 mile laps of the Beaulieu Heath circuit on the edge of the New Forest.

James Peckham, Brook Elgie, Phil Wilks & Patryk Rucki (Sotonia CC) & Stuart Le Tissier (DH Cyclesport) made up the numbers as the seven quickly built a decisive gap.

Plumb & Bratchell made their move as Elgie busied himself winning a prime with two laps to go, the younger Bratchell (19) graciously allowing the older Plumb (36) to take the win, his first since returning to cycling in 2013.

In the veterans race Steve Dring (Team Echelon) won the uphill bunch kick ahead of Jonathan Hall (Sotonia CC) & Roland Tilley (Weber Creative Interiors/Bmth Cycleworks).
… continued after advert

Dring along with, Tilley, Rowan Horner (VC St Raphael) and Julian Lockwood (Primera-Teamjobs) had threatened to ride away on the penultimate lap but a stray New Forest pony hampered the charge and the bunch were altogether as the road began to rise.

Dring had won the first race from a breakaway this time he showed us his sprinting prowess. On a warm, summer evening, the Crabwood Cycling Club attracted a field of 65 for the two TLI promotions as they continue celebrate their 75th anniversary year, the decision to revived the old Heath races was a good one.

Provisional Results

Seniors 35 Miles
1 James Plumb (VC Venta)
2 Oliver Winwood-Bratchell (VC Venta)
3 Brook Elgie (Sotonia CC)
4 Patryk Rucki (Sotonia CC)
5 Stuart Le Tissier (DH CYCLESPORT)

Veterans 28 Miles
1 Steve Dring (Team Echelon)
2 Jonathan Hall (Sotonia CC)
3 Roland Tilley (Weber Creative Interiors/Bmth Cycleworks)
4 Matthew Whelan (DH Cyclesport)
5 James Cotty (Hargroves Cycles CC)