Cycling: Victor Kay puts in Sam ride!

Aug 22 2007 by Tony Hodgson, Evening Chronicle

THE Sam Walton Memorial Border Trophy Road Race is the oldest running race in the North East, dating from 1902.

This year’s event attracted a quality field of riders and was held over a 65-mile course around Bellingham in Northumberland.

The field was boosted by many riders entering on the day, which was to make for a more spectacular race.

The peleton was happy to remain intact on the first five miles to Bellingham, where an intermediate sprint competition was held for the first time – and Michael Mallen of the GS Metro club took the victory.

Mallen used his good knowledge of the roads around Bellingham to win, but for many competitors the roads were unfamiliar, with no races having taken place in the North Tyne for many years.

The race passed through Bellingham with the field still intact – but not for long, for on the first long ascent of Linden Hill three riders went on the attack – Simon Baxter (Adept Precision RT), Lewis Meadows (Cleveland Wheelers) and Alastair Kay (York Cycleworks).

On the exposed slopes of Linden Hill, the wind battered the leading trio head-on and they worked hard together to gain their advantage.

The three riders continued working together well on the exposed road towards Greenhaugh and were glad of the shelter and tail-wind as they dropped into the valley at Lanehead.

By the time the leading trio had arrived at the top prime at Linden Hill for the second time, they had stretched their lead to two minutes. Simon Baxter took maximum points in the King of the Mountains competition.

Behind them, the field stayed intact with many riders happy riding in a larger group and taking shelter from the wind.

On the third ascent of Linden, six riders broke clear of the chasing bunch – John Cann (Barnesbury CC), Bryan Pool (andersons racing), Andy Oliver (Alpine Rootz), Euan Pope (Rockhard MBC), Keith Smith (MTS Cyclesport) and Tim Allan (GS Metro).

At the top, Kay took maximum King of the Mountains points with the three leaders still having a two-minute 20-sec advantage over the six chasers.

The main bunch continued to fragment, then Kay attacked to go clear of Baxter and Meadows.

Kay managed to increase his lead as the race crossed the moors towards Greenhaugh and on the valley road.

Behind him, Meadows attacked Baxter with several miles to go and Baxter could not respond.

It was Kay who comfortably took the chequered flag at the Riverdale Hotel and Meadows triumphed in the three-up sprint for second, 40 seconds behind Kay.

RESULT: 1 Alastair Kay (York Cycleworks) 65 miles in two hours 58 min 30 secs; 2 Lewis Meadows (Cleveland Wheelers) 40 seconds; 3 Tim Allan (G S Metro) 41 seconds; 4 Bryan Pool (Andersons Racing) 41 seconds; 5 Simon Baxter (Adept Precision RT) 1 min 40 secs.