Cycling: Wet conditions Sout Series winner

Aug 22 2007 by Tony Hodgson, Evening Chronicle

RACE nineteen of the 2007 TLI North East Pursuit Series at Wallridge Cross was run in heavy rain, which meant only 29 hardy riders turned out to brave the conditions.

With the small turnout setting off to tackle the four seven-mile laps as one group, the poor conditions did not stop Neil Souter (nfm/trm) taking his first win of the season.

Souter, who made sure he was correctly positioned all night, executed the perfect sprint finish to take the win over James Powesland (unattached).

After the first lap and as the bunch had acclimatised to the conditions, the attacks started. This resulted in a breakaway group containing nine riders – John Davidson (nfm/trm) Neil Souter (nmf/trm), Colin Humphrey (Gosforth RT), John Cann (Barnesburry), Craig Berry (Deli Baps), Mal Lewis (Deli Baps), Keith Sibbald (Cramlington), James Powesland (unatt) and Ray Turner (NPCC) – who quickly established a race-winning lead of three minutes.

After two laps of consistent work by the breakaway members the attacks started.

First Powesland attacked at Belsay Mains and created a small gap, Humphrey, Souter, Cann and Lewis soon chasing him down and dragging the others with them.

As soon as contact with Powesland was made, Davidson attacked and opened up a gap of 30 seconds, Davidson driving hard on the hills and holding his gap until Wallridge Quarry.

Again Humphey and Lewis drove hard, helped by Turner, lined out the breakaway and caught Davidson.

The group stayed together until the left turn at Wallridge Crossroads, when Humphrey rode away and established a gap.

Davidson, immediately noticing the danger, jumped across to Humphrey and the pair were off to what looked like the winning break.

The duo’s attempt faded, with Lewis again driving hard on the front, this time being helped by Powesland. And with Davidson up front, all Souter had to do was sit in and conserve energy.

Lewis, Powesland, Cann and Turner hauled in Davidson and Humphrey on the three-mile run towards the finish.

This meant the whole nine breakaway members were set to battle it out in a sprint finish.

Cann and Turner opened up the sprint with a kilometre to go but could not get rid of the others, who were all lined out on his wheel.

As Cann faded, Powesland took over with Humphrey on his wheel and Davidson and Souter sat tight until the last 600 metres.

Davidson made his bid for the line and made sure Souter was on his wheel. As Davidson’s legs tied up, Souter coasted past to take the win with a perfect sprint finish.

RESULT: 1 Neil Souter (nfm/trm), 2 James Powesland (unatt), 3 John Davidson (nfm/trm), 4 Colin Humphrey (Gosforth RT), 5 Mal Lewis (Deli Baps), 6 Jon Cann (Barnesbury), 7 Ray Turner (NPCC), 8 Keith Sibbald (Cramlington), 9 Craig Berry (Deli Baps).

MALCOLM Lewis (Deli Baps) took top honours in race 19 of the TLI Criterium Series. The race was run off in bright but windy conditions on the Newburn circuit, which favoured Lewis’ strong sprint.

Tony Glover (Derwentside CC) took the first sprint after five laps, breaking away from the bunch to take maximum points, with Lewis beating Colin Humphrey (Gosforth RC) for second place.

Lewis then won the second sprint before breaking away with John Walton (VC Azzurri), John Cann (Barnesbury CC) and Colin Humprhrey.

The foursome quickly established a 20-second lead over the bunch, Lewis taking the next two sprints ahead of Humphrey.

The bunch was driven hard by Steve Kenney (VC Azzurri), Ray Turner (NPCC) and Russ Bayliss (unnatt) and, with the riders all back together, all Lewis had to do was place well in the remaining sprints to ensure he took his first win of the season.

RESULT: 1 Malcolm Lewis (Deli Baps), 2 Colin Humphrey (Gosforth RC), 3 Steve Kenney (VC Azzurri), 4 John Cann (Barnesbury CC), 5 John Walton (VC Azzurri).