TLI CYCLING FEATURE: SUPER4SERIES

Thursday 11th saw the final round of a truncated Super4 series. Previously known as the Super6, having to reduce the amount of races demonstrates the current challenges some race organisers face with the lack of riders committing to race.

TLI CYCLING FEATURE: SUPER4SERIES
By Michael Bell

Michael writes … Thursday 11th saw the final round of a truncated Super4 series. Previously known as the Super6, having to reduce the amount of races demonstrates the current challenges some race organisers face with the lack of riders committing to race.

In order to safely run 4 races, a minimum of 76 entries are required in advance of the closing date so that there are sufficient riders to participate in the marshalling rota, that total was missed, meaning the planned round 3 on the Skelmersdale/Pimbo circuit had to be withdrawn.

However, the lack of riders did not detract from some fast, quality racing.

Round one on 20th of June, saw Liverpool Braveheart sprinter Ray Bell take the under 55 race, leading home his two breakaway companions: Matt Morris, Wigan Wheelers, and Weaver Valley rider Sam Taylor while Matthew Wales (Fibrax Wrexham) brought home the rest.

The omnipresent Paul Thursfield of Graham Weigh Racing Team/Dolan unleashed his impressive sprint to easily win the over 55 race ahead of Michael Bell (New Brighton CC) who also took the mid-race prime, with fit360’s Andy Bennett in third.

Earlier, Liverpool Century rider Terry Giblin had held off the bunch for a couple of laps after this lone effort, Steve Davies riding for Bioracer launched his own solo and nearly succeeded until Thursfield made a massive effort for a half lap, resulting in Steve being caught with just one 3 mile lap to go. It was good to see a representative of a well established Merseyside club. Ron Plumbley, a former organiser of the series, gave the familiar blue and white Liverpool Mercury colours an airing, finishing 9th

ROUND 2
Round 2 saw Chris Shuker take the mid-race prime before Matt Morris surged away on his own in very windy conditions to ensure himself of the victory following his runner-up position the previous week. Sam Taylor also moved up a position after the previous week, edging out Ben Manning of Team 3rt

Graham Prentice of Liverpool Century won a tight sprint ahead of Dolan Ellesse rider Paul Molloy and Colin Foster in the over 55’s after Chorlton Velo’s Peter Rogers had snaffled the mid race prime.
Both races were affected by a slow moving vehicle on the last lap, resulting in a coming together of the two events just before the finish. However, the judges’ nightmare was avoided thanks to the excellent photo finish service provided by Martin Jackson who untangled everyone to ensure each finisher was accurately placed.

The little matter of the General Election meant that round 3 was due to be held on Pimbo, as the village hall at Bickerstaffe was a polling station but as mentioned above, the race was withdrawn, giving race organiser Geoff Rawlinson an added chore or partial reimbursements of entry fees.

FINAL ROUND
It was back to Bickerstaffe for the final round and a Cycle Shark one- two in the under 55’s : Marco Ruggeri leading home his teammate Leon Brown and Dolan Ellesse youngster Arthur Yates. Chris Humphreys took the mid race prime prize.

The over 55’s held off the younger riders, which must have pleased the judging team. A three rider break consisting of Julian Vescovi (Hoppers Rollers) that man Steve Davies again and New Brighton CC rider Michael Bell looked like it might succeed but the inevitable Paul Thursfield surge brought the race together with 4 miles remaining before he once again dominated the gallop for the line, winning with 2 lengths to spare ahead of Graham Prentice and Bell.

It was a great finale to another fantastic series ably organised by Geoff of Manchester Bicycle Club, assisted by John and Debbie Crook of Team Bot with further assistance from Moda’s Dave Williams, who is rumoured to be considering racing again 2025.

A couple of negatives though. Getting permission to hold a series of races such as this on the open roads is no mean feat, Geoff and his team had closely consulted and cooperated with Bickerstaffe Parish Council, signing up to the very detailed parish charter to allow both TLI and BC races to happen on the circuit but incidents such as a rider verbally abusing a resident who was moving into their new home on the circuit that day after he felt aggrieved by the furniture van impeding his progress, or one of the absolutely essential Motorbike Marshalls taking abuse from one of the competitors after parking his bike on the right hand side of the road some way after the finish line to warn oncoming traffic was narrowly avoided by the rider, clearly way over the white line with his head down, not looking where he was going. Both incidents do not help in the smooth running of the races and will rightly not be tolerated.

So that’s the Super4 over with for another year, unfortunately reduced to a Super3, let’s see if we can get it back to its original Super6 format next year. Get those entries in, earlier the better! It’s not every race that provides post-race doughnuts (my favourite being the custard filled option).

Thanks to Geoff, John, Debbie, Dave and everyone else involved, especially the Parish Council and the Motorbike Marshalls.

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