Last month, mountain bike riders competed in the Isle of Wight Inaugural Road Race – inspired by Tour of Britain – with the gruelling 80km course culminating in a steep climb at Freshwater Bay.
Riders from the Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team rolled out from their Chessell Cafe HQ and headed east to start the first lap.
The Sprint, on Military Road and the KOM at Hunny Hill, was highly contested on each of the three laps, before riders peeled off at Brook for the last five-mile loop, which finished at the top of Freshwater Bay.
It was a tough day of racing on a challenging course, which saw half the field dropped by the second lap.
After an early attack, a small group managed to get away and the strong crosswind on Military Road made it difficult for the chasing bunch to reel them in.
As the leading group hit the final climb, Max Fleming attacked with Paul Barnard hot on his heels, but Barnard proved too strong and powered home to take the win, after over two hours of racing which averaged 27mph.
George Cottrell held off the chasing pack to take third place and Charlie Abraham, who just missed out on a podium finish, picked up the Best Junior trophy.
The best Island rider on the day was James Spencer of NAUT Cycling Club and Elvis Belton was the first Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT rider across the line.
Jerry and Julie Cooper, race organisers, said after the race: “After a year of planning, we’re so pleased that the event was such a success.
“These events just wouldn’t happen without all the volunteers and production teams who give up their time to help out.
“It was an absolutely brilliant day of racing; we couldn’t have wished for better conditions for our first road race and we’re now looking forward to doing it all again next year”.
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules here