Report/Results: Mountbatten Circuit Races #6

Andy Shackel on a roll by winning the latest round of the circuit racing at the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth.

by Graham Robins | Wednesday 22nd May

Andy Shackel (Peter Hansford RT) continued a rich vein of form by following up Sundayâ€™s second at the South Divs and Mondayâ€™s first round win at Ludgershall to win the latest round at the Mountbatten centre in Portsmouth.

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Along with four other riders Andy worked his way through the bunch once they were caught to sprint clear on the line. On a lovely dry evening at the Hampshire venue, Andy along with Henry Newbury (Fareham Wheelers), Simon Brooks (VC St Raphael), Henry Latimer (Aw Cycles) and Will Stephenson (Rapha Condor JLT) caught the tail of the bunch having got away and worked together for twenty minutes.

The early laps were very fluid with so many riders having a go on the front as lead was established it was caught until Henry Newbury followed by Andy and Simon eased of the front, Will and Henry Latimer were alert to the move and within a couple of laps had made the junction and at this point the race was all over for the remainder of the bunch.

Once the leading group of five joined on to the bunch they looked for a way through but had to be content to sit in and bide their time. Andy and Simon were able to get a sight of the front but it was Henry Latimer and Will who eventually came to the front with a lap to go.

Third Cats
The earlier third cat race took a long time to see a break go away but once it did it stayed away. Dave Dalton (Fareham Wheelers) was very aggressive throughout the race and several times he tried to get away but was unable to break the elastic. Once he got away with Alex Harding (Andover Wheelers) and Thomas Goodyer (PNECC) they stayed away and quickly put time into the bunch.

As they rounded the last bend before the line Dave put in one final attack to claim a fine win making up for missing out at the South Divs on Sunday where he held a 20secs lead until the final climb where he was caught and passed.

Provisional Results E/1/2
1 Andy Shackel Peter Hansford RT 50mins +5laps
2 Will Stephenson Rapha Condor JLT @st
3 Henry Latimer AW Cycles
4 Simon Brooks VC St Raphael
5 Henry Newbury Fareham Wheelers

Provisional Result 3rd 4th cat
1 Dave Dalton Fareham Wheelers
2 Alex Harding Andover Wheelers @st
3 Thomas Goodyer PNECC @st