Moreton Kermis Series Rnd 2 20/05/10

Just for a change, the usual suspects did not succeed in making back their time penalty at Moreton, meaning the race was disputed by a different, but no less worthy, group of riders. Sean Conway made the most of  the circumstances, taking a win in the bunch sprint.

With tractors on the race course last week, an entirely new hazard was waiting for competitors in the second round of the Moreton series, as they arrived to find that the finishing straight had been resurfaced with gravel. While Dorset Rough Riders claimed to be delighted by this, others were less happy with the thought of a bunch sprint on a loose surface.  Suggestions were made that the finish line should be moved but, for logistical reasons, the course stayed as it was.

So, a field of fifty riders set out, a little gingerly, for the 30 mile race but were soon up to their usual speed. The fastest ‘red’ group had the same handicap as last week but were considerably reduced in number and, despite some hard riding, were still a minute shy of the front of the race come the final lap. This left a composite of the ‘blue’ (second fastest), ‘green’ (third fastest) and a few chancers from the ‘yellow’ group to sprint it out for the win. Sean Conway of Bournemouth Arrow took the win, ahead of Stuart August and Steve Groome of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers. Shaun Amor of UK Biking got fourth, Anthony Birkbeck of Bournemouth Arrow fifth, followed by a trio of UK Biking riders: Richard Lang, Garett Hill and Peter Hall. Steve Gordon rounded out the top 10 for Dorset Rough Riders.

For all the concerns over safety, there was a single faller in the whole race, who clipped a wheel – ironically on the fully tarmaced second corner.

The series continues next Thursday, by when the surface should have settled.

Moreton Kermis Series Rd 1, 13/05/10

Stu Bowers of Hargroves Cycles took the win in the first round of the Moreton Kermis series, this Thursday. A total of seventy riders made the start which, along with tractors cutting silage on the surrounding fields and ferrying it across the course, made for an exciting race.

With twenty five riders in the fastest group, all working hard and averaging 45km/h, they had made up their one lap handicap within the first five laps. The bunch, still numbering well over fifty riders, split into two slightly more manageable groups, the faster one keeping up their relentless pace to the line. Stu Bowers took the win, a nose ahead of Roland Tilley of Ride and with Paul Hopkins third. Dr Andy Boyd came in fourth ahead of Steve Dring, John Whincome and John Hayes.

 The series continues, every Thursday evening until mid August.

Moreton Kermis Series

This Thursday, the 13th May, 2010 Moreton Kermis series starts up again, running every Thursday evening till the middle of August. Now in its sixth year, the series has been a mainstay of the local race scene – crucially, keeping the racing going in the dark days between Barnsfield closing and the setting up of the Wessex League.

The racing starts at 7pm, the races running for 30 miles (light permitting), or 10 laps of the 3 mile triangular circuit. Entry is £7 (£6 for TLI members) plus a donation to the St Johns Ambulance volenteers. All entries are on the line – the series tries to run as no frills as possible to keep costs down. Tea and cake are available afterwards and really worth sticking around for.

Moreton is off the B3390 between Tolpuddle and Weymouth. The racing is fast and a great way to get fit for the whole raft of Wessex League races we’ve got lined up for you over the next month. Stay tuned for further details.