Recycling.co.uk - Cockerham

Sunday 28th August-2005

Mike Jones and I headed up the M6 on a dull and threatening day to ride the 34JW Recycling.co.uk event on the Cockerham circuit. This was quite possibly the most grim thing I've done so far in my brief racing career. The wind was already blowing a storm force gale as we rolled out of the HQ, and half way around lap 1 the heavens opened and stayed opened for the next two hours.

Lap 1 was a fairly neutral affair, with the strong winds on the exposed section of the course preventing any aggressive riding. The only competition upfront was trying to avoid being lead wheel! On lap two a group of 4 drifted off the front, and spent the best part of one and a half laps out on their own. The rest of the race seemed happy to leave them there, perhaps safe in the knowledge that in the strong winds they wouldn't be able to stay away for the remainder of the race? Sometime on lap 3 the breakaway cracked and came back to the main group, and as they did, two guys jumped off down the road. Everyone looked at each other, and did nothing. They stayed away to contest the win.

Coming into the finish area for the final time I was 3rd wheel, and ideally placed for the bunch gallop, 20 seconds later I'd blown my position and was about 20th wheel! Mike timed his move really well and sprinted hard for 8th overall, 8 BCF points and a licence upgrade. Well deserved! I rolled in wet and cold but safe. Result from BC website.

3/4/J/W 101km 2:34:50
1. Chris Barron Kent Valley R.C. 2-34-50
2. John Cosgrove Onimpex @ 1 sec
3. Neil Higgins Preston C.C @1-34secs
4. Kevin Reilly Dolan @1-54secs
5. Stephen Clark Southport R.C.
6. Graeme McLeod Liverpool Century
7. Andy Gott West Pennine R.C.
8. Mike Jones Deeside Olympic
9. Ian Pugh Liverpool Century
10. Andy Brooks Private Member
11. Graham Wilkes Janus R.C
12. James Keenan Lancashire R.C.
13. Tim Woods Opal Telecom
14. Andrew Hill Warrington R.C.
15. Andrew Keenan Lancashire R.C.

Ben Greenwood won the E12 race, and didn't look at all tired!

Thanks to David Tait for this report

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