George Clark from High Wycombe won the 75 mile PCH Spring Classic after riding away from four companions who had sustained a break for nearly half the race
Result: PCH Spring Classic Road Race
The Pro Cycle Hire Spring Classic Bicknacre, near Chelmsford, Essex, 7th May
by Photos & report Fergus Muir
George Clark, the Catford CC/Banks rider from High Wycombe, won the 75 mile PCH Spring Classic after riding away from a break of five which had lasted nearly half the race on the Bicknacre-Woodham Ferrers-Cock Clarks circuit.
In cool but fine weather conditions, an early break had been brought back, as was one serious lone attack. Then, at around half distance, Clark, Gary Freeman (Fast-Test), Vincent Christan, reserve rider Sam Allen (Lee Valley Youth) and Nathan Howard (Finchley RT) broke clear and stayed away, with a lead fluctuating between 30 and 90 seconds.
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Former tri-athlete Allen put in a bid off the front, but it was Clark, Freeman, and Christan who led up the narrow twisting climb up Edwins Hall Lane to the finish on Radar Hill.
Clark outlasted the other two – Freeman saying he crossed the line at about eight miles an hour – but they took second and third places with Allen and Howard finishing ahead of various escapees from the bunch who came in in ones and twos. One minute 51 after Clark crossed the line, Bob Longstaff (Colchester Rovers) won the bunch sprint for 13th place from James Ambrose-Parish and Gabriel Fowden.
The winning break
Bob Longstaff wins the sprint for 13th place
The bunch at Bicknacre with 20 miles to go
1 George Clark (Catford CC/Banks)
2 Gary Freeman (Fast-Test) +0:04 secs
3 Vincent Christan (East London Velo) +0:07
4 Samuel Allen (Lee Valley Youth) +0:21
5 Nathan Howard (Finchley RT) +1:00
6 Mark Barningham (ViCiOUS VELO) +1:22
7 Tom Elwood (CC London)
8 James O’Connell (Regents Park Rouleurs)
9 Elliot Colley (SD Racing)
10 David Warwick (Orwell Velo) +1:40
11 Ieuan Woods (Catford/Banks)
12 Mark Smith (Pro Cycle Hire) +1:47
13 Bob Longstaff (Colchester Rovers) + 1:51 (bunch sprint)
14 James Ambrose–Parish (CT OnForm) ST
15 Gabriel Fowden (Lee Valley Youth) ST
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