There were mixed fortunes for Witham Wheelers in the second round of the Mallory Park evening road race series last Tuesday.
Following recent good results, Karl Baillie was a marked man in the youth race but still managed to win the final sprint. Clubmate Reece Egner rode strongly for fourth place.
Harry Browning was unfortunate to be taken out in a first-lap crash in the 2/3 category race. Karl also rode this race but punctured midway. He rejoined after taking a lap out and put in a good sprint on juvenile gears to finish just outside the top 10.
l The Wheelers held its first evening individual club 10-mile time trial on a new course adjacent to Gorse Lane last Tuesday.
Thirty-eight riders competed with junior Peter Cocker the fastest on the night, ahead of triathlete Patrick Cutmore. Quickest lady was Lara Thornhill.
Results: 1 Peter Cocker 22:34, 2 Patrick Cutmore 23:52, 3 Martin Hedley 25:20, 4 Bill Harrison 25:33, 5 John Farmer 25:51, 6 Mark Korocinski 25:52, 7 Peter Watson 26:21, 8 Graham McAndrew 26:38, 9 James Westwood 26:39, 10 John Pilgrim 26:40, 11 Rick Yates 26:43, 12 John Beere 26:47, 13 Steve Cropper 26:52, 14 Dave Moulds 26:56, 15 Mick Egner 27:00, 16 Simon Cocker 27:15, 17 Tony Hardenberg 27:19, 18 Lara Thornhill 27:21, 19 Graham Jenks 27:49, 20 Ian Galpin 27:50, 21 Adam Egner 27:59, 22 Crispin Bridges-Webb 28:09, 23 John Pygott 28:47, 24 Jennifer McAndrew 28:55, 25 Michael Smalley 29:05, 26 Nigel Eastaugh 29:55, 27 Will Cherry 30:06, 28 Paul Green 30:15, 29 Louise George 30:59, 30 Trevor White 32:02, 31 Carol Milne 33:49, 32 Suzanne Holdsworth 33:59, 33 Glynn Trundle 34:10, 34 Judith Brand 34:15, 35 Peter Storey 34:38, 36 Andrea Egner 35:11, 37 Sally Pygott 35:16, 38 Robert McAndrew 36:17.
l Two Wheelers contested the Birdwell Wheelers 10 which was changed to 11.5 miles due to roadworks.
Bill Harrison won his age group in 28.11 and clubmate Martin Hedley recorded 27.42.
l Wheelers youngsters Karl Baillie and Peter Cocker travelled to Essex for the national circuit race series at Hog Hill.
Karl rode aggressively in the under-16 youth race, getting in an early two-man break and then attacking on his own. He was reeled in eventually but still had the strength to take eighth in the bunch sprint.
Riding the junior event, Peter was active in the bunch and helped pull back a dangerous break at half distance. Two riders got away, leaving a bunch sprint for third, but Peter was baulked when well-placed and came in a respectable but disappointed 17th from the 100-plus field.