It’s been a busy few weeks of race action for the club – here’s some of the highlights of a great month for team Sotonia…
Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers Road Race
Five team members took on the BJW 2/3/4 race on the hilly Lulworth circuit: Brook Elgie, Phil Godfrey, Ben Scott-Munden, Ed Slot and James Peckham. We showed some aggressive racing with an attack by Ed who stayed away from the bunch for a lap in pursuit of the break before James earned a cracking 9th place from the bunch kick.
Tour of Milburys stage race
Ben Scott-Munden, Russell Speight, Ed Slot and James Peckham were in action in this two stage race around Meonstoke. Ed was top Sotonia rider in the short 6km Time trial stage up Old Winchester Hill, finishing 18th out of 85 riders.
In atrocious conditions of rain and mud, the road race on the Owslebury circuit was nearly cancelled. But James was feeling good and attacked the bunch on lap two and again later to finish 6th in the final sprint and a brilliant 12th place on GC.
Battle of the Bowl, Matterley
Offroad, Phil Godfrey had a great race in this two hour cyclocross epic at Matterley Bowl near Winchester, finishing 10th overall.
VC Venta Summer Criterium 1
The first Winchester Park & Ride criterium of the year featured nine Sotonia youth riders in the U8 and U10 categories. In the senior races, Justin Menhenett had a successful circuit debut with 8th place after a bold attack on the lead group before the last lap. In the cat 3 race, Tom Budden tried a similar tactic, finishing 9th after being baulked by a rider sliding out on the last corner.
Sandie Radford Road Race, Nomansland
There was another big team start for local legend Glenn Longland’s annual road race. Andy Mackay tested his legs with the first attack of the day, then the team worked hard to bring back eventual winner, Matthew Downie’s attack into the wind, early in the 40 mile race. Another selection then formed, with Sotonia’s James Peckham part of a five man break. James eventually took a fine 4th place on the tough final climb of Pipers Waite. Behind, Red Walters leapt clear of the chasing bunch to hold on for 7th with Brook Elgie 10th in the bunch kick after Ben Scott-Munden’s leadout (25th) to give the team a well deserved 3 in the top 10. Phil Wilks also worked tirelessly on the front of the bunch (27th), Phil Godfrey (15th) and Andy Mackay (28th).
James: “Top team performance today. Andy in the early break gave us a free ride until Matt attacked first time in the crosswinds. The team all then took turns to chase down Matt.”
Brook: “Ben took control of the bunch at the end and brought back a load of people.”
Southern XC MTB, Crow Hill – 28 May
Tom Budden had his best result in Expert class with 4th on the challenging Crow Hill course for the Regional Championships after heavy rain made for tricky conditions with many slippery roots on the sharp climbs of the wooded course. Tobie Charlton was 11th in his first Expert race and Jez Hart 29th in the V40 race.
Sotonia Summer Criterium 1, Sunday 18th June
Our next club event is the first of two Sotonia Summer Criteriums, held at Winchester Park & Ride on Sunday 18th June. We will again feature our ‘race village’ complete with sound system plus cycling apparel from Vintvelo and refreshments from Coffee Cruiser and Gelarto Ice Cream. Don’t miss out – online pre-entry is available here
