COVENTRY-based cycling team M.I.Racing were made to settle for two runner-up spots at the British Veteran Road Race Championships on Sunday
Current National Champion Mike Twelves finished second in the LVRC National Championships for riders aged between 50 and 54 despite having just recently returned from injury.
The 52-year-old was forced to withdraw from the British Circuit Championship last weekend because of re-occurring ligament problems in his left leg.
Twelves had received special treatment all last week which prepared him well for Sunday’s event near Worcester.
He rode through through the pain barrier and although he was unable to keep up with the front runner, Twelves still managed to show his class by out-sprintng several recognised speed specialists to take second place.
In similar fashion Rob O’Connor produced an excellent ride in the race for riders aged between 55 and 59.
Nobody had expected the overall winner to break clear of the whole field after 13 miles and although O’Connor’s efforts reduced the chasing group to just 15 riders, the lead proved too much in the closing stages.
The M.I.Racing rider did however produce an excellent sprint finish towards the end of the race to take second three weeks after winning the classic three-day tour of the Abberleys race.
Elsewhere, team boss and veteran rider Mick Ives was back in good form on Saturday after taking part in the Beacon RC 10-mile time trial.
Despite the windy conditions, 76-year-old Ives recorded an impressive time of 26 minutes and 42 seconds, while team mate Pete Smith had looked on course for a fast time until he was knocked off his bike by a car.
The 54-year-old was forced off the rode on the final island on the Alcester-based course and despite damaging his ribs and shoulder, Smith got back on his bike to finish in a 23 minutes and 15 seconds.
