Darren Atkins

Kenilworth Racing cyclist, Darren Atkins, who rides for the Elite Coventry based “Team Jewson M.I.Racing Thule” squad wins with style at Misterton Hall.

Once again, this weekend he has forsaken taking part in the Midland League Veterans event  in favour of riding the race for Professional and seniors, over a longer distance, and once again he has proved to be in a class of his own.

On Sunday Darren competed in round 7 of the Midland Cyclo Cross series at Misterton Hall, near Lutterworth, Leics and even a puncture on the 3rd lap could not prevent him winning again. He rode on a flat tyre to the pits area losing a lot of time in the process, changed to his spare machine and promptly started to work his way through the field, catching the leader on the last lap and riding clear to the finish. The course was very fast and tricky.

Mean while team mate and former British Champion, Steve Knight took control in the separate Veterans race, winning his 6th event in a row with ease, repeating last weekends result with the 2 Jewson riders winning  both Pro/Senior and Veteran races.

Success for Mark James –Team Jewson—in the Friday Ev, Floodlit Cyclo Cross race at Camarthen , S.Wales, James is also in devastating form, having won his last 5 races.

And at Oxford, fresh from competing in the 6 day Tour of Mallorca Road Stage Race, Pete Smith finished 2nd Veteran and first over 50 in the Oxford Cyclo Cross.  Smith has been selected to ride for the Southern region in the forth coming Inter regional Champs, at Milton Keynes.

Wellesbourne’s Tim Stowe, finished 3rd overall and 2nd best 50 + rider in the L.V.R.C. Cyclo Cross also at Misterton Hall, but on Saturday, for riders over 40 yrs, team mates John Gabriel finished 13th and 2nd 60 + rider and Mick Ives (Baginton) finished 16th and was a clear winner of the 70+ race, and Martin Hackley (Dunchurch) 17th and 2nd 60 +.

Next weekend Team Jewson , field 6 riders in the British Hill Climb Championships at Whaley Bridge, N.Derbyshire, the largest entry by any local team/ The oldest rider in the event will be Team Jewson ‘s Team Director, Mick Ives, who will be out to win his 74th British Championship, competing in the 70+ age group, his biggest rival being John Bettison, a former stage race winner in the Tour of Britain, Milk Race when it finished in Coventry. He first rode the Championship in 1961—50 years ago, the team will also have 3 of the fastest Juniors in the UK riding.

Mick Ives will be organising the “Jewson” sponsored LVRC National Cyclo Cross Championships at Moreton Morrell Agricultral Hall , on Saturday 19th November, entries will close 1 week before, details on LVRC web site    www.lvrc.org.uk

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *