With 23 Circuit Race Victories out of 23 races, the last 15 of them racing for Coventry based “Team Jewson—M.I.Racing—Polypipe—McCann,” Antony Wallis was crowned the undisputed King of British Circuit racing at the weekend when he won the L.V.R.C. National Championships for riders 50 years and over! All on the tough windy Darley Moor circuit near Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
Like all of his victories Antony did it the hard way, by attacking, almost from the start, until the elastic broke and once he was clear there was no one capable of stopping his ride to victory. His average speed over the last 13 miles was 27 m.p.h. the first 25 miles covered in 56 minutes 25 secs in the 40 mile race.
Antony will now concentrate on training with his team mates for the U.C.I.World Masters Track Championships at Manchester later in the season as part of M.I.Racing Team Pursuit squad. Could they lift the World Championship title? Very possible!
Fellow Team Pursuit squad member and Ex Professional Mike Twelves, wasn’t quite so lucky when he contested the British Cycling National Road Race Championships at Preston, Lanc. As one of the pre race favourites, Twelves broke clear with just 1 other rider towards the closing stages of the race. But, surprisingly he was beaten by just a few inches in the finishing sprint up the 1 in 6 climb and had to settle for the Silver Medal. Twelves has now won 4 British National Cycling Championships this season plus 3 Silvers—very few riders could claim that sort of success.
The “Mick Ives Youth Academy” riders also had their share of National Championship success bringing more British Championship titles to the team. This time at the Newport Velodrome in South Wales.
Josh Giddings and Jack Brough once again proved they are the finest Youth Madison riders in the U.K. , taking the Championship to add to their ever increasing tally. And as if that wasn’t enough, Jack Brough went on to take Silver in the Points Race and Josh Giddings finished 4th in the 500m Time Trial – All 4 riders breaking the existing record.
Giddings and Brough are part of a 5 rider squad who have been selected to represent the M.I.Racing Team in the 4 day International Youth Stage Race in Belgium later in the month, the Team will also represent Gt Britain in this International event.
Away from Racing –the Non-Racing section of Team M.I. Coventry Olympic Group Sportive (C.O.G.S.) organised with the help from Coventry Lions, 3 very successful Sportive Cycle Rides at the weekend, raising funds for 4 local Charities.
The events started and Finished at the Baginton Oak Pub, Baginton and the organisers received the highest number of participants they have ever had during the 4 years that this popular event has been running. It is planned to make this a regular event.
C.O.G.S. hold Sunday Rides of around 40 miles each Sunday Morning, including a café stop, starting and finishing at the Oak Pub, leaving at 8-30am – All riders welcome – further details from ian.robinson@county.uk.net