CCH Road Race 2014 - Report

The peloton riding out from Saffron Walden

 Overnight night rain and downpours on the way up the M11 left me wondering if the race would go ahead - `I'd already had reports of flooding on the course. By the time we rolled into the Hq at the Lord Butler Fitness Centre in Saffron Walden it was beginning to clear meaning the races would go ahead after a slight delay.

Early break forming with Richard Wood and Ben Sumner

 A set of temporary traffic lights had appeared on the hill leading to the finish so the line was moved back onto the circuit and once I  had tracked down the BC finish line van we made it up the hill in time for the race to come through for the first time in 4 3/4 laps. Two riders had jumped away at the bottom of the hill - Richard Wood and Ben Sumner . Rhys Howells was leading the group behind and urging them on to catch the break.

The lead group swelled to five riders headed here by Rhys Howells with Roy Chamberlain and Mike Debney

 Next time round we had a break of five riders who had put some time in to the main bunch. The main bunch meanwhile was been thinned rapidly as rider after rider succumbed to punctures with the roads covered in debris washed off the fields and gravel drives beloved of country dwellers. One section of the race was being neutralised each lap as the road was close to a foot under water. The commissaires and marshals did an excellent job of ensuring this didn't become an issue, whilst the rain did its best to turn the rest of the course into a lake too.

The leading group now at four riders

Next time round and the lead was out to over a couple of minutes with the lead group now down to four riders - Roy, Mike, Richard and Rhys. As the race came through for the last lap it looked like half the field had retired and the lead was up closer to three minutes. It looked like a straight fight between the leading four.

Rhys Howells - Richardson-Trek RT wins in style

 We eagerly waited a close fought finish but CCH old boy Rhys Howells had other ideas he dropped the other three to come up the hill alone winning by 48 seconds form Richard Wood who placed second by a tyres width from Roy Chamberlain. Lubomir Belak led in the rest 3.35 down on the winner.

The podium l-r  -Richard Wood 2nd, Rhys Howells 1st, Roy Chamberlain 3rd
- all Photos - Bart Wallbank

Great racing by all the riders and great support from CCH members. Thanks to all those who helped out on the day and in advance and to the accredited marshals, motorbike marshals and commissaries for giving up their time.



Full results -

Place	Number	Rider		Team / club	Cat'
1	37	Rhys	Howells	Richardsons-Trek RT	Elite
2	1	Richard	Wood	Arbis - Colbert Cycles RT	1st
3	46	Roy	Chamberlain	Team Corley Cycles	1st
4	42	Lubomir	Belak	St Ives CC	2nd
5	2	Mike	Wragg	Arbis - Colbert Cycles RT	1st
6	9	Ashley	Cox	CC Luton	Elite
7	16	Philip	Peters	CSE Racing	2nd
8	14	Henry	Farrell	CSE Racing	2nd
9	5	Mike	Debney	Cadence Cycling Performance	1st
10	48	Dale	Johnston	VC Norwich	3rd
11	27	William	Drury	Glendene CC	2nd
12	50	Mark	Yale	VC Revolution	3rd
13	6	Peter	Kirwan	Cambridge CC	2nd
14	4	Andrew	Sanders	Braintree Velo Cycle Racing Club	2nd
15	52	Nick	Perks	Velo Schils - Interbike RT	3rd
16	55	Lloyd	Chapman	Richardsons-Trek RT	1st
17	11	Jason	White	Clay Cross Road Team	1st
18	3	Ben	Sumner	Beeline Bicycles RT	1st
19	31	James	Jobber	Neon-Velo Cycling Team	1st
20	32	Daniel	Young	Neon-Velo Cycling Team	2nd