WXCRL QinetiQ Evening Series Rd 4, Barnsfield Heath

After the washout a fortnight ago, all eyes were fixed on the clouds for Tuesday’s final round of the Barnsfield evening series. A light, intermittent drizzle kept numbers down but what the field lacked in quantity it very much made up for in quality. Daniel Lloyd, of the Cervelo Test Team and now resident of Bournemouth signed on, as well as Luke Gray who was making his very welcome return to racing after suffering a fractured pelvis in a mountain bike race in Germany in June. Multiple Paralympic champion Darren Kenny also put in an appearance but did not ride.

 A total of 30 riders took the start, split into three groups, with the E/1/2’s by far the largest (there is probably a connection between the fastest riders being the ones that don’t stay at home when its wet!). Riding on the perimeter track with little to slow them down, the field had come together by half distance and continued in this manner till the bell lap at 1 hour.  Several breakaways attempts were made without success and, ultimately, Richard Horton of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers pulled a significant gap on the last climb, riding his Dad’s classic lugged steel Chas Roberts frame across the line a good five seconds ahead of the chasing pack. Leading the bunch home was Mark Perry of Sportsbeans/Wilier, from Jason Eastwood of VC St Raphael and fourteen other riders (full results here). Daniel Lloyd pulled out, still suffering an injury from last week’s Tour of Denmark while many more besides wilted under the pace.

 With the skies darkening it was clear to see why this is, sadly, the last of the evening races for this year, although there will be a further three weekend races at (hopefully!) Barnsfield Heath come September, not forgetting the Dorset Tour in just under a fortnight. With a bit of luck, the weather may have remembered that it’s still summer by then. Here’s hoping.