Cycling: East Lancs challenging 11-mile circuit road race

Tom Lowe Winning East Lancs Road Race

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Last weekend it was the turn of the East Lancs to organise their road race, which was held on the challenging 11-mile circuit in the Hodder Valley near Clitheroe.

The circuit starts at Bashall Eaves and heads north west on a steady climb to the hamlet of Cow Ark where it turns and descends fast on a rough stretch of road to cross the river at the Doeford Bridge. It then turns south east heading back through Chaigley, over the Hodder Bridge to the finish at Bashall Eaves.

The weather was good and a full field of 60 riders set of and maintained a fast pace throughout averaging 26mph which restricted the ability of the riders to make a break away from the main peloton. East Lancs were represented by Chris Green, Andy Gorton, Oliver Huszar, Paul Ashworth and Ben Trippier.

On lap two Green and Trippier escaped the bunch with two other riders including the eventual winner and they steadily built up a lead of over one minute on the bunch, but they were steadily reeled in on lap three, and apart from a few minor attempts to escape, it was all coming down to a bunch sprint finish.

Towards the end of the final lap the whole bunch crossed the Hodder Bridge at speed then climbed up the hill and steadily increased their speed approaching the finish line, and with 200 metres to go with a good tailwind the sprint unravelled with Tom Lowe gaining a small advantage to ensure he was taking the honours by winning the race, with the East Lancs riders in the bunch.

A club spokesperson said: "It was a great event made all safe and fast by the excellent marshalling in numbers by club members, all of whom were complimented by British Cycling officials."