TLI Cycling Report: Rhyl CC Races

Rhyl Cycling Club held their season opening races at Marsh Tracks in the town over three Tuesday evenings. …. Thanks to Michael Bell

TLI CYCLING EVENT REPORT: Rhyl Cycling Club held their season opening races at Marsh Tracks in the town over three Tuesday evenings. …. Thanks to Michael Bell

With generous sponsorship from Enfinium, a recycling and waste management enterprise, the Winter All-Age Handicap Series took place under the floodlights of the 1.25 kilometre purpose built circuit and attracted a good sized field each week.

The series organiser, Jon Harland has, along with Robin, his father before him, a great track record in promoting the sport, and organising races, often with a unique twist or on an imaginative circuit. In years gone by that has included races in Rhyl town centre, at the old Rhyl Sun Centre resort, circuit races around the Theatr Clwyd in Mold as well as the Monday night Rhuddlan Road Race, which was a fixture for a number of years and featured the top Welsh riders and many from over the border, including a number of professional riders during the heyday of the former British pro class.

Everyone is aware of the importance of encouraging grass roots racing, how often do we see the photographs of the world’s top riders as youngsters competing in their first races, whether that be Tadej Pogacar or the image of a beaming Mark Cavendish being photographed in his early teens with David Millar who was visiting the Isle of Man for a professional race.

The Winter All Age Series races pitted Youth riders against all other categories, which is a great way for youth riders and those with less experience to hone their skills.

Race 1 saw Youth A riders Deian Roberts from Bangor and Rhyl’s Tommy Pope combining to ensure they made the most of their 40 second lead, catching the front markers and staying ahead of their chasers, finishing in that order, with Bevan Humphries leading home the rest of the field in 3rd place on what was a bitterly cold, wet night.

The weather improved for Race 2 and the previous week’s runner up, Tommy Pope crossed the line in first place ahead of Bevan Humphreys. Pope is one of three siblings, all competing in this series, they have recently switched from the promoting Rhyl CC to the Graham Weigh Racing Team / Deeside to hopefully continue their progress.

The final round was again won by Tommy Pope who also won both primes, holding off the more experienced Barry Murphy and Bevan Humphries who had shared the race long break with Pope but, despite their concerted efforts, had been unable to shake off their 15-year-old breakaway companion.

Each TLI category had an overall winner, based on taking part in all three events:

Youth B – S Pope
Youth A – T Pope
Youth A female – J Atherton
Junior – C Jones
Senior – M Doyle
A – B Humphries
B – B Murphy
C – D Jones
E – J Harland
F – I Moore
G (Female) – V Hinstridge
H (Female) – M Docking

Marsh Tracks is a fantastic facility, and Jon is promoting a further series of three events in the summer, at discounted entry fees. The circuit will also hold TLI Racing national circuit race championships this season, promoted by GWRT along with a series of circuit familiarisation races. All details regarding these events are on Rider HQ.

TLI CYCLING RACE CALENDAR ON RIDER HQ: https://www.riderhq.com/events?type=RACE_TLICYCLING

TLI CYCLING: https://www.tlicycling.com/ | Age-Related Cycle Sport For All | Supporting Grassroots Cycle Racing for 35 Years