Stafford Grand Prix 2010

Race Report

This year’s road race proved to be tough and competitive one with the pace high from the first lap. With primes available on each lap there was no shortage of riders wanting to get away to pick up some of the prizes up for grabs.

By the 3rd lap 16 riders had already dropped out, unable to match the groups pace on the unforgiving rolling course, punctuated by some steep little climbs. On each lap small groups got away but nothing stuck until the penultimate lap when Marcus Walker (Bush – Healthcare) made a solo break. Powering on, he stretched out the lead to one minute and held this for one full circuit (11 miles). But after his solo effort up hill into a strong head wind he was caught as the bell rang for the last lap and the main group was back together again.

Then as the route climbed up between Swynnerton and Beech roundabout the decisive move happened when Paul Dring (Team Echelon Spiuk), Chris Wilkinson (Mid Shropshire Wheelers) and Ian Holbrook (Stone Wheelers) attacked out of the bunch. Straight away they worked together, through and off, and soon extended their lead to over 45 seconds. With approximately 9 miles still to ride these three riders showed their clear understanding of what was needed, with each rider doing their share of the work on the front. Paul however had the strongest legs on the day and was first in the sprint finish. Full Results shown below

Thanks to La Patisserie, Henry Burtons and RST Coaching who were the main sponsors of the event, all the drivers, marshals, first aid, motor cycle outriders and BC officials.

1st – Paul Dring = Team Echelon Spiuk

2nd – Ian Holbrook = Stone Wheelers

3rd – Chris Wilkinson = Mid Shropshire Wheelers

4th – Ben Page = V S Cycles

5th – Rob Townsend = Sheffrec

6th – Matt Walmsley = Birkenhead Northend C C

7th – David Giles = Stafford Road Club

8th – Christopher Taylor = Stourbridge Velo

9th – Marcus Walker = Bush – Healthcare

10th – Phil Giles = V C Long Eaton

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Over the 5 and a half laps of racing – covering just over 60 miles (11 miles per lap) we had 5 sprint for lines, otherwise known as “primes” – these were won by:

1) Matt Bonehill = Stafford Road Club

2) Darren Shaw = Stourbridge Velo

3) Paul Belfield = Stone Wheelers

4) Howard Lightfoot = Leamington C & A C

5) Marcus Walker = Bush – Healthcare