CYCLING: VETERAN cyclists at Solihull CC had a good start to the season in an early League of Veteran Racing Cyclists road race at Pinvin in Worcestershire.
The result was boosted by further strong performances at the first circuit race of the season held at the Tudor Grange Circuit in Solihull.
The LVRC league provides racing for cyclists who are aged 40 or older.
The opening Pinvin race rolled out of Bishampton to six-and-a-half laps, each lap being eight miles long.
There was action from the first laps when a couple of speedy riders pulled clear and were considered a threat for the win.
A strong early pace meant riders were forced to up their pace – including Solihull CC’s Wayne McKeowen and teammate Stuart Jameson.
They joined up with the two riders up the road averaging 26mph to pull clear.
A 90 second gap was opened up by the leading group of seven as the final lap drew closer.
There were a number of attacks, but all came to nothing as the group closed each one down so it went down to the final sprint.
With 500 metres remaining, Jameson was positioned last in the breakaway.
However he caught the leading group off guard and – from a length behind – soon crossed the line for a Solihull CC victory with McKeown finishing 5th.
A great Saturday for Solihull was followed up with a solid Sunday when the over 55s raced.
Paul Mann and Richard Blackman finished 6th and 7th respectively.
On the circuit, Wayne McKeown reversed the road result and won the first circuit race of the season in a sprint which started some 300m from the finish line.
