Brighouse Circuit Cycling event: 1,000 defy downpour to cheer on the Elite
IT COULD have been a complete wash out – but cyclists and spectators made sure it wasn't.
Umbrellas and waterproofs were very much in evidence when the third VS Cycles' Brighouse Circuit Racing event was held on Tuesday.
From the first cyclists setting off in the senior race at 7pm right through to the elite race after 8pm the rain did not let up.
But the cyclists took it all in their stride and while there weren't as many spectators as last year there was still a good crowd who turned out to cheer them on.
Organiser Michael Lever said: "We had a full night of racing. In spite of the conditions riders were reaching some fantastic speeds. We had no major problems with only a few crashes and nothing serious."
He also had praise for the estimated 1,000 people who turned out to give their support.
The event, which is part of the British Cycling Elite Circuit Series, attracted over 140 competitors ranging from juveniles through to Olympic medalists.
The Elite race provided a breathtaking finish with brothers Dean and Russell Downing breaking away from the main group with about 20 minutes to go. Dean, the national circuit race champion, pipped his brother by the width of a tyre and third place was taken by Jeroen Janssen.
Commentary came from Eurosport TV's Mike Smith who kept everyone fully informed.
Malcolm Elliott, the winner of last year's Elite race, was expected back to defend his title but was commenting on the Tour de France.
"He had hoped to be here to defend his title but had to miss out this year," said Mr Lever.
Other top riders included Huddersfield based Ed Clancy, a member of Team GB squad who was in the team that took gold at the Beijing Olympics, and Olympic medalist Rob Hayles, but they were not among the winners.
"The top men did not have the best of nights," said Mr Lever.
VS Cycles of Brighouse had competitors in the senior event and Andrew Marshall had a good race to finish seventh with Dominic Turner 12th.
Among the spectators braving the elements was Steven Ambler, from Hove Edge, who was with his daughter Penny Ambler, and her two children, Natasha, eight and Jordan, 15.
"I'm here despite the weather," said Mr Ambler. "I was impressed with the first event and have been every year since. It's good for Brighouse."
Mandy Eastwood, from Rastrick, was sheltering under a canopy outside the Black Bull in Thornton Square, with friends Neil Smith and Lee Bradley, also from Rastrick.
Mandy was supporting her cousin Chris Thompson, who rides for VS Cycles.
"It's the first time we've been but we wanted to support Chris," she said.
And Sylvia and Granville Sowray, also of Rastrick, were filming the event. They are members of Halifax Camcorder Club.
"On Sunday for the band contest the weather was much better, but we wanted to be here for the bikes as well," said Mrs Sowray.
Results, prizes, sponsors
ELITE: 1, Dean Downing (Rapha Condor); 2, Russ Downing (Candi TV- Marshalls Pasta RT); 3, Jeroen Janssen (Madison.co.uk).
SENIOR: 1, Martin Woffindin (Sport City Velo); 2, Marc Etches (Sheffrec); 3, Jack Penrice (Sport City Velo)
JUVENILE:
Under 16 boys: 1, Christopher Latham (Sport City Velo); 2, Scott Woodhead (CrossTrax); 3, Josh Penrice (Sport City Velo).
Under 16 girls: 1, Melissa Bury (Sport City Velo); 2, Jess Anderson (Sport City Velo) 3, Rebecca Womersley (Sowerby Brothers RT).
Under 14 boys: 1, Jacob Ragan, (Sport City Velo); 2, Jacob Scott, (Holme Valley Wheelers); 3, Jake Womersley (Sowerby Brothers).
Under 14 girls: 1, Jessica O'Brien (Wakefield Tri); 2, Lauren O'Brien (Waklefield Tri); 3, Naomi Johnston, (private member)
Prizes and awards were presented by Coun Craig Whittaker to the youth section while Ian Evans, sales manager at Dews Motor Group, presented the other prizes.
Sponsors for the event includes Dews Motor Group, Calderdale Council, Hart and Clough, Avocet Dye and Chemical, DDME and VS Cycles.
The Ship in Bethel Street provided supper and refreshments for officials, marshalls and helpers and chef Martyn Fieldhouse was kept busy at the pig roast.
Hassams take-away in Bethel Street was 'giving something back to the community' by serving free food. Programmes for the race were free but collectors from the Brighouse Friends of Overgate Hospice, organised by Angela Curran, of Hove Edge, were going round town collecting donations from the crowd.
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Weather for Halifax
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
