43rd Lewes Wanderers Evening Criterium Series
Sponsored by www.thetristore.com,
The Lewes Wanderers series is sponsored by www.thetristore.com, a bike and triathlon store in Eastbourne. The series is made up of 3 evening races, based on a 50k road circuit staring at Laughton, East Sussex is open to 3rd and 4th category riders, Women and Juniors.
The first round in the series was held under warm and dry conditions, it was hoped that these conditions would make for an exciting and attacking race for the almost 50 riders taking to the start. Chris Howard (VC Londres) was first across the line at the first prime, for additional points to count for General Classification. Followed in quick succession by Josh Cunningham and Jason Salter (both Bayeux Landscapes), Jason banging his bars in frustration, disappointed to be passed just before the line.
Three riders had broken free from the group the second time passed the prime, all three riders representing Bayeux Landscapes, Shaun Reed took the full points on offer, followed by Jason Salter and Josh Cunningham. None of the riders contested the sprint as they were intent on maximising their advantage from the main group.
With the second biggest team in the race, Brighton Mitre unrepresented at the front, they were soon seen on the front organising a ferocious chase down The Broyle, with support from James Prescott (Lewes Wanderers) and Neil Lewis (Southborugh Wheelers) amongst others. Despite the efforts of the remaining Bayeux riders to disrupt the chase, the threesome were caught at Kennel Corner.
Unfortunately for the race judges, this would be the only significant break of the evening and so the judges would have to pick the leading riders as all 50 riders would cross the line together at speeds approaching 35mph. The close finishes are exciting for the riders and spectators alike.
With one lap remaining, James Prescott was the victim of cruel luck, suffering a puncture when he was away in the lead on his own.
Josh Cunningham took full points at the final prime, the only rider to gain points at each intermediate sprint followed by Chris Howard and Neil Lewis.
The bunch sprint saw Bayeux Landscapes take the first 4 places, Josh Cunningham took full points, followed quickly by Jason Salter, Shaun Reed and James Gowan a length behind. Mark Paton (Sussex Nomads) was the first non-Bayeux rider, with a photo finish placing Clive Copeland (Crawley CC) Neil Lewis (Southbrough Wheelers), Paul Hudson (Unattached) and Andrew Parle (Brighton Mitre) from 6th to 9th.
By gaining points in all the sprints and winning on the line, Josh Cunningham (21 points) leads the Bayeux Landscapes 1-2-3 on General Classification from Jason Salter (13 points) and Shaun Reed (12 points). It will be interesting to see if anyone can challenge the domination of Bayeux Landscapes at the next race in the series, which will start from the Roebuck Inn at Laughton on Thursday 12th June at 7:15pm.
Mark W
Prime 1
1st Chris Howard VC Londres
2nd Josh Cunningham Bayeux Landscapes
3rd Jason Salter Bayeux Landscapes
Prime 2
1st Shaun Reed Bayeux Landscapes
2nd Jason Salter Bayeux Landscapes
3rd Josh Cunningham Bayeux Landscapes
Prime 3
1st Josh Cunningham Bayeux Landscapes
2nd Chris Howard VC Londres
3rd Neil Lewis Southborough Wheelers
Race Result
1st Josh Cunningham Bayeux Landscapes
2nd Jason Salter Bayeux Landscapes
3rd Shaun Reed Bayeux Landscapes
4th James Gowan Bayeux Landscapes
5th Mark Paton Sussex Nomads
6th Clive Copeland Crawley CC
7th Neil Lewis Southborough Wheelers
8th Paul Hudson Sproketts uk.com
9th Andrew Parle Brighton Mitre
10th Walter Dyl
GC Points After Round 1
Num Rider/Club Total race 1
1st Josh Cunningham Bayeux Landscapes 21
2nd Jason Salter Bayeux Landscapes 13
3rd Shaun Reed Bayeux Landscapes 12
4th Chris Howard VC Londres 8
5th James Gowan Bayeux Landscapes 5
6th Mark Paton Sussex Nomads 4
7th Clive Copeland Crawley CC 3
8th Neil Lewis Southborough Wheelers 1