ABC Centreville’s classy vet road-racer Ben Whitehead writes on his strong showing so far in the 2017 spring season:
“This year I decided to have a later start to the season as far as road races go, with one of my main targets being the League of Veteran racing Cyclists (LVRC) National Road Race in mid June.
My season started with the 56th edition of the Eddie Soens Memoprial Road Race on a closed circuit at Aintree in March. This is always a popular event and with 160 riders it can make for a nerve racking 2hrs or so! Myself, Dan Shackleton and Paul Basson road it this year, along with overall winner Ed Clancy and junior world cyclo-cross and Paris-Roubaix winner Tom Piddock! We all got round in one piece so that was a result in itself, with the added benefit of some quality fast miles in the legs.
I try and do weekly circuit races to use as racing and training in one, and they are great for leg speed; but unfortunately it’s generally a case of having my legs ripped off by lads in their 20’s which ain’t easy when in your 40’s!
My first road race proper of 2017 was West Pennine Road Race at beginning of May on the short but undulating Bashal Eves circuit which covered over 50miles at a brisk average speed. Myself and Steve Whittington competed in the event and both had a good solid race, finishing in what was left of the main bunch in 21st and 26th places respectively.
The weekend after I competed in the Cockermouth Road Race (Elite/1/2 catagory). This was a 75 mile road race in the Lake District on a tough hilly course with over 5000ft of climbing, despite which the average speed was a quick 24mph. The race was won by Elite rider James Gullen who was using the race as preperation for the RAS stage race in Ireland which he also went on the win! I finished in the second group on the road in 27th place. Considering almost all the top 20 finishers were either elite riders or 1st cat I was fairly happy with my race and it was still early days in my programme.
Next it was the East Lancs Road Race on the big Bashall Eves circuit. It’s always a tough race there, as the circuit breaks the field down, covering 55 lumpy miles on heavy roads at an average of 24mph. Myself , Louis and Steve Whittington competed in the event and all three of us were proud to be racing together in the Centreville colours! Louis tried to go it alone with solo attacks in the final stages of the race but it was a very strong field, and with a high pace it was very hard to stay away. The race came down to a sprint finish with what was left of the main bunch. I finished in 22nd, Louis in 27th and Steve was 44th. It was a tough race but it put great miles in the legs!
Ben Whithead’s results so far in 2017 demonstrate his progress using structured training and racing towards later goals:
4/3 Eddie Soens 61st
18/3 Lancs Uni Crit E/1/2
11/4 Tameside Crit 10th
25/4 Tameside Crit 9th
2/5 Tameside Crit 14th
7/5 West Pennine RR 21st
9/5 Tameside Crit 16th
11/5 CDPP Nelson Crit 9th
14/5 Cockermouth RR 27th
16/5 Tameside Crit 16th
21/5 ELRC RR 21st
23/5 Tameside Crit 9th
30/5 Tameside Crit 8th
So, we’re into June and with another good 3-4 months of road races left and then on to the hill climb season, there is lots to look forward to!”
Ben Whitehead
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Omg just found this! How cool!