National Masters RR Championships

On a weekend where two sets of National Championships were held, Pete Wager reports from the Masters Road Race Championships in Hampshire.

Glorious sunshine, patchy clouds and a moderate wind greeted us lucky mortals that entered the National Masters RR Championships (30-34 & 35-39) last Sunday, July 20th. Just over 9 laps of the Small Morestead Circuit in Hampshire lay ahead of us and there was a rumour going round it was quite a tough 'rolling' course. The race had both age groups riding together with 15 Juniors including myself, the only Meudon with Justin Hoy, Felt Racing and then 25 seniors including Tim Elverson and my bro, John Wager, Felt Racing.

Out of the neutralised zone the road goes skywards and the attacks start and seem to never end. Tim Elverson, Martin Smith, Grant Bayton and the Team Corley duo all taking turns to make us all suffer. A few individuals made brave efforts to go it alone but nothing stuck and I was secretly hoping it might stay together. Coming towards the end of the 2nd lap and a few strong digs over the rolling roads created a split. I spotted the move but was boxed in the bunch and nearly hit the deck as I tried to get my wheel around the rider in front. Managed to pull my foot out and save a dive on the tarmac. Having regained my footing I went after the group of about 7 riders. Giving it everything up the long drag towards the finish area I managed to pull back some distance and had gapped from the main bunch but I was now well into the red. At that moment a red flash AKA 'The Hoy' went passed me swiftly followed by Grant Bayton and Andy Lyons - try as I could there was no way I could get on their wheels for a tow up to the now vanishing lead group.

Dropping back to the bunch and everyone just gave up - no one wanted to chase or get organised and we still had 7 laps to go!!!!

I managed to get away with Darrell Pembroke, Agisko, and we worked well for a couple laps getting around 30 seconds over the bunch but the time gap to the leaders was now going up and up - 8 minutes with 4 laps to go. Mark Jervis, Python Racing Team, joined us and then my brother John Wager got across on the 6th lap which added strength in numbers and looked like we might get something working but the bunch had other ideas and chased us down! But then promptly sat up!!!!!

Into the final laps now and the leaders were 16 minutes clear - one of the Python Racing Team had gone it alone and was followed by 'Mini Me' Dave Coulson, Sport Beans - Wilier. Mark Jervis, Python RT, then gave it a good dig going up the long climb and I was prompted to go after him by a big push from my brother and I'm glad I committed. We were joined by two others and worked all the way round the final lap pulling out just over a minute from the bunch by the finish. 4 up final sprint and I was in a world of pain but still managed to get across the line 2nd of the group and a rather encouraging 5th place in my age group and 16th overall, even if I was @ 17.07 behind the winner!!

Well done Justin for 3rd place in the juniors race - another medalion for the collection!

Pete

30 -34
1. Matthew HIGGINS Team Corley Cycles / Corley Cycles
2. Richard CARTLAND Team Corley Cycles / Corley Cycles
3. Justin HOY Felt Racing
4. Colin PARRY VC St Raphael / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
5. Peter WAGER VC Meudon
6. Simon SMITH John's Bikes RT
7. Scott WALKER Hinckley CRC / MW Technical Services Ltd /Bikes & Sports
8. Darrell PEMBROKE www.agiskoviner.com / Agiskoviner.com/For Goodness Shakes
9. Boyd ROBERTS www.agiskoviner.com / Agiskoviner.com/For Goodness Shakes
10. Jason HUMPHRIES Norwood Paragon CC

35 - 39
1. Martin SMITH awcycles.co.uk / Onefish Twofish/Giant Bikes/Fulcrum Wheels
2. Dan STAITE Python Racing Team/Smartest Energy/Ixia/Real 451/Push Print
3. Andy LYONS Heron Cyclesport / Green Jersey Design/Thomas Gunn/Schwalbe
4. Grant BAYTON Sport Beans - Wilier / Sport Beans/Jelly Belly / Wilier / Steele Davis
5. Nigel WILLIAMS Python Racing Team/Smartest Energy/Ixia/Real 451/Push Print
6. Tim ELVERSON Felt Racing
7. Simon WARREN Norwood Paragon CC
8. James SMITH Team Certini / Certini / Specialized
9. Mark WILLIAMS Python Racing Team/Smartest Energy/Ixia/Real 451/Push Print
10. Dave COULSON Sport Beans - Wilier / Sport Beans/Jelly Belly / Wilier / Steele Davis
11. Mark JERVIS Python Racing Team/Smartest Energy/Ixia/Real 451/Push Print
12. Justin CALLAWAY DHCyclesport.co.uk
13. John WAGER Felt Racing
14. Neil WHITE Bristol Road Club
15. Chris SMITH Python Racing Team/Smartest Energy/Ixia/Real 451/Push Print
16. Paul MACE High Wycombe CC / Cycle Care / Professional IT / Infastructure
17. Simon HALL Andover Wheelers