The second round of the Victoria Park Criterium in Leamington took place last Saturday with local Stratford CC riders John Meehan competing in the third category races and Tony Kiss in the fourth category.

This race went well for Kiss until the final lap of 25 where he got pushed wide onto the grass in the battle for the sprint. A crash on the final bend meant he was unable to compete for the final sprint. The second race stayed together with no riders managing to get away from the pack. Kiss made his move with a lap to go, however this proved to be his undoing as he had nothing left to fight with in the final few meters. Despite finishing a bike length from the winner, in such a tightly competed sprint this only translated to eighth place.
Meanwhile Meehan rode a strong first race keeping good position in the group and finishing in the main field. During the second race there were a number of attacks keeping all riders on their toes just to stay in touch. With three laps remaining, two riders rode away from the pack and stayed away until the finish. However the fast finishing pack including Meehan closed in the last lap failing to catch them only by a matter of meters. Both riders would like to thank Kenilworth Wheelers for putting on the well organised event.
Taking advantage of the Cycling Development series for the West Midlands, junior riders Tom Lane and Joseph Harris demonstrated superb technical and fitness ability in their group of 35 riders, finishing in the top 5 in both points and scratch races at Tudor Grange Circuit, Solihull. Under the close supervision of BC Talent Development Coach, Tim Buckle, they managed to stay at the front of the pack throughout and worked well together to put Stratford CC on the map. Also taking part were Andrew Butler, Keir Lewis and Prestlav Dimitrov who showed great tenacity amongst a tough field of Midlands clubs.
Tom and Joseph rode strongly in the first of the Stratford CC club time trials on the shortened Clifford Chambers course finishing within seconds of each other and ahead of several adult members with 18.32 and 19.00 respectively. First home for the men was Mick Stallard with 15.19 just getting ahead of race rival Peter Ward by 7 seconds. In third place was Chris Everard with 15.54 and Tony Kiss finished in fourth with 16.19. The race was won by second claim member James Wall in 14.02.
First woman home was Alison Bagnall with 17.55 followed by Miranda Harris who finished a few seconds behind her son in 19.19. In all, 28 riders were out for the race taking advantage of the sunny evening and there were strong rides from Robin Corder 16.28, Steve Howat 16.46, Martin Millington 16.47, John Gladstone 16.49 and John Meehan 16.52. It was good to see some ‘old’ faces there too including Nigel Jones and Keith Fitzgerald.
James Wall finished first in the BDCA 25 mile time trial on the E25/11 course in Etwal Derbyshire with a time of 49.08 and a PB by over 3 minutes. 2nd was Barry Charlton over 1 minute behind and former multi national champion Ian Cammish of PlanetX another 1 minute behind Wall in third place.
Juniors taking part in a one hour Sports Relief cycle on and off the track raised nearly £160 last month. Thanks to all who took part and to the parents who marshalled.