ANOTHER brilliant week of cycling saw M.I.Racing continue their brilliant start to the cyclo cross season after increasing their winning tally over the weekend.
Former British champions Steve Knight was in terrific form once again for the Coventry-based cycling club in the third round of the Midland series.
Knight was victorious in the cyclo cross race for riders over 45 at Henley in Arden and now leads the event overall, while last year’s winner, Phil Blacker, had a bad day at the office by finishing seventh.
In the earlier race for riders aged 50 and over, Kirby Bennett produced an excellent ride by storming into an early lead only to suffer a broken chain. By the time it had been repaired he was a minute-and-a-half behind the leading pack.
But to his credit he recovered well to finish second which keeps him at the top of the overall series while Peter Busby finished third.
“Bennett’s ride was incredible,” said team boss Mick Ives. “His speed on the very fast circuit, coupled with his amazing bike handling skills, impressed everyone watching.”
John Gabriel won the over 65 race with Dave Ross finishing third. Enya Tabrum finished as the eighth fastest senior lady and Lindsey Nell finished as the third best veteran lady.
Elsewhere, M.I.Racing’s young academy rider, Lotta Mansfield beat all of the o16-year-old riders to win the Notts and Derby Cyclo Cross series.
Rob O’Connor brought his 2016 road racing season to a close with a second place finish in the final round of the season-long Percy Stallard National Road Race series in Huntingdon to finish second overall.
In the 60+ category, 62-year-old John French also finished as runner-up after also missing several events because of commitments abroad and two-time winner Mike Twelves finished third in the 50+ series.
Former professional Derrick Woodings won the 70+ race at the Tudor Grange circuit in Solihull on Sunday as part of his build up to the forthcoming UCI World Masters Track Championships.
And several team members competed in the Northants and Dist Open ten-mile Time Trial at Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire on the same day, with Mark Wise recording the fastest time in 22.26.
