Another month of summer flown by and another flurry of great results for our racers, Here’s a run down of how we’ve been getting on recently…
VC Venta Criterium 2
This weekend, Ed Slot took another step closer to promotion with a strong ride and second place in the 3rd cat race at the Winchester circuit. A front group of around 11 riders formed early on containing all three Sotonia riders (Ed Slot, Jon Hall and Red Walters). Despite a few digs they stayed together until a bit of chaos in the finale as a lapped group got in the way of the final charge at the top bend on the last lap but Ed recovered well, just being pipped on the line, with Red 6th and Jon 7th.
There was more great riding by Sotonia youth in the morning races. Well done to them all, great rides by Ollie winning the U8 race and Issy making the podium too. A fantastic first ride in the U8s for Oscar, not only riding his first race but riding all the way from Winchester to compete, chapeau.
Sotonia Summer Road Race
Our annual summer road race featured seven Sotonia racers on the start line and James Peckham kicked things off with an early two man break on the first lap. Recent heavy rain left the circuit susceptible to punctures of which there were plenty, keeping neutral service very busy. The pace was high and a tough selection ensured a much reduced main group of just 19 riders. Punctures put paid to Andy Mackay and Phil Wilks’ chances and James unfortunately crashed out in the later stages in a touch of wheels on one of the climbs, leaving Ed Slot to finish in the main group.
Circuit race successes
With the return of the Mountbatten track to the racing calendar, James Peckham cemented a well earned promotion to 2nd cat with a fine 2nd place in the 3rd cat race in the Portsmouth Evening Circuits series. which was swiftly followed by his first points in the higher category as he took 8th place in the E12 race that followed! Sotonia junior, Red Walters continues his swift progression and has gained 5th and 10th places in the 3rds at Portsmouth this month.
In the Bournemouth Cycleworks Summer Road Race, Ed Slot finished 13th as he continues to rack up promising results.
At round 9 of the Castle Combe Summer Series, Ben Scott Munden continued his successful first season in second cat racing with a 4th place in the E/1/2 race. Meanwhile at the Thruxton circuit, Russell Speight finished in 3rd spot to achieve his move up from 4th cat in Behind The Bikeshed’s Summer Series
XC MTB podium for Tom
Turning to off-road racing, Tom Budden secured another podium spot in round 7 of the Southern XC Mountain bike series at the Matterley Estate near Winchester, finishing second in the Sport category of the XC Mountain Bike series on the hilly circuit near Winchester and looking set for a top three finish in the series.
Sotonia Summer Criterium final event
Next local race for us is the second and final Sotonia Summer Criterium, held at Winchester Park & Ride on Sunday 7th August. Don’t miss out – online pre-entry closes next Wednesday.
#teamSotonia