Rob Partridge takes the sprint

Rob and Norman

Brenig Road Race

Sunday 23rd May 2004

Back in the day, riders had to endure two laps of the Denbigh, Brenig Ruthin circuit, but if that were still the case only the most sadistic riders would bother to enter (ask Keith and Norman). These days it's once round the very hilly circuit then back for three laps of the Llandernog loop before the uphill finish in Denbigh. It doesn't sound any easier to me!

Deeside Olympic had all the big guns in the field and any of them were capable of winning the race.

Andy Windsor was the first rider to put in an attack but got caught shortly after. So, Norman Hughes and Rob Partridge had a go and broke away after a couple of miles, on the long climb out of Denbigh, they were joined by Chris Anelay just after Brenig.

The main bunch picked up the pace to try and limit the break but Deeside had more than enough riders to make sure their two riders stayed ahead.

When the race turned at Brenig and headed towards Ruthin, the lead was around 1.20 but by the time they reached the Clocaenog Forest it was down to under 30 seconds. With a combined effort from Rob and Norman and some Deeside Olympic team work in the bunch, they managed to get it back up to over a minute by the time they reached the Llandyrnog loop.

After two laps of the Llandyrnog loop the lead looked comfortable but it got shortened to just 30 seconds on the last lap.

As the three riders turned up the short but steep finishing climb it was Chris Anelay on the front. With 100 yards to go Rob launched himself past Chris with Norman jumping to take his wheel. Rob showed his strength to take a well deserved win just ahead of Norman.

As the rest of the bunch sprinted up the hill Andy Windsor proved the strongest to take forth place.

I could go on to say how Rob and Norman dominated the race (which they did) but it wasn't quite that way. The Deeside lads controlled the bunch, and any attacks, with sheer dominance. I don't want to leave anyone out but the work they all put in made it look easy for Rob and Norman. Every time it looked like a rider was threatening they were there to bring it back in control.

Deeside Olympic first, second and fourth says it all!!!

Result:

1st Rob Partridge - Deeside Olympic RC 2Hr 34Min 05 Sec
2nd Norman Hughes - Deeside Olympic RC st
3rd Chris Anelay - TRiangle RT st
4th Andy Winsdor - Deeside Olympic @10 Sec
5th Duncan Hewitt - National Clarion st
6th Mark Burton - Ace RT st
7th Gary Vose - Lune RC st
8th Jeff Vernon - Birkenhead N.E st
9th Steve Lloyd - Deeside Olympic RC st
10th John Skates - Deeside Olympic RC st
11th Kevin Eckersall - Abergavenny RC st
12th Jeff Capper - Cyclestore RT st
13th Lee Feeney - Chester RC st
14th Stephen Feeney - Chester RC st
15th Dave Cuming - Team Velocity st

Thanks to Ian Edwards for this report.

<< BACK TO RESULTS