Tim Shoreman out-sprinted the competition to take his first National Circuit Series victory of the season for Wheelbase CabTech Castelli at the Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix.
Featured photo: Alex Whitehead/SWPix.com – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series 2023 – Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix 2023 – Tim Shoreman of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli wins
Report
The fast and sweeping course at Colne always provides fast & action-packed racing and the penultimate round of the 2023 National Circuit Series proved no different as the crowds in Lancashire were treated to a thrilling edition of the race.
With the circuit not being the most technical on the calendar, the riders who would bring the action to them were the ones who had the most power in the legs, and teams who were best able to manage the race in their favour.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com – 25/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series 2023 – Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix 2023 – The Bunch
Geared up for just such a fight was Wheelbase CabTech Castelli. Matt Fox was an early attacker, and luminous yellow jerseys massed at the front of the pack behind as they looked to slow down any attempts to close down Fox’s early break.
But being so early in the race, there was no chance that even such an organised move was going to go the distance and with teams including ROKiT-SRCT making their numbers known at the front, Fox was reeled back into the bunch.
No moves sticking, the pace remained high but relatively neutralised at the halfway mark as riders spied the best opportunities to counter-punch and burst off the front.
That’s exactly what Dan Barnes (Team Spectra Cannondale) did. Powering clear off the front, he was alone for a few laps but then a five-strong chase group bridged across and formed a well-oiled machine of six at the front.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com – 25/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series 2023 – Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix 2023 – Daniel Barnes of Team Spectra Cannondale
Featuring Wheelbase CabTech Castelli pair Tim Shoreman and Tom Armstrong, Leon Mazzone (Saint Piran), David Hird (ROKiT-SRCT), and Will Harding (Wales Racing Academy), the group worked seamlessly together to shut out the groups behind and confirm that the winner would come from one of these half-dozen.
On the final sprint to the line, Shoreman had the power in the legs to leave his rivals squabbling for the final spots in the podium – taking the chequered flag with a bike length on his rivals.
Mazzone carried on Saint Piran’s strong form with second, as he edged out early breakaway rider Barnes on the line. Hird took fourth, with Armstrong fifth and Harding rounding out the leading sextet.
In the Series standings, Ben Chilton (Ribble Collective) retains the leaders jersey heading into Friday’s final round in Newark with his eighth place finish in Colne but he has just nine points in hand over Fox, who was seventh. Victory keeps Wheelbase CabTech Castelli at the top of the team standings.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com – 25/07/2023 – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series 2023 – Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix 2023 – Tim Shoreman of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli wins
Tim Shoreman out-sprinted the competition to take his first National Circuit Series victory of the season for Wheelbase CabTech Castelli at the Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix.
Featured photo: Alex Whitehead/SWPix.com – Cycling – British Cycling National Circuit Series 2023 – Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix 2023 – Tim Shoreman of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli wins
Report
The fast and sweeping course at Colne always provides fast & action-packed racing and the penultimate round of the 2023 National Circuit Series proved no different as the crowds in Lancashire were treated to a thrilling edition of the race.
With the circuit not being the most technical on the calendar, the riders who would bring the action to them were the ones who had the most power in the legs, and teams who were best able to manage the race in their favour.
Geared up for just such a fight was Wheelbase CabTech Castelli. Matt Fox was an early attacker, and luminous yellow jerseys massed at the front of the pack behind as they looked to slow down any attempts to close down Fox’s early break.
But being so early in the race, there was no chance that even such an organised move was going to go the distance and with teams including ROKiT-SRCT making their numbers known at the front, Fox was reeled back into the bunch.
No moves sticking, the pace remained high but relatively neutralised at the halfway mark as riders spied the best opportunities to counter-punch and burst off the front.
That’s exactly what Dan Barnes (Team Spectra Cannondale) did. Powering clear off the front, he was alone for a few laps but then a five-strong chase group bridged across and formed a well-oiled machine of six at the front.
Featuring Wheelbase CabTech Castelli pair Tim Shoreman and Tom Armstrong, Leon Mazzone (Saint Piran), David Hird (ROKiT-SRCT), and Will Harding (Wales Racing Academy), the group worked seamlessly together to shut out the groups behind and confirm that the winner would come from one of these half-dozen.
On the final sprint to the line, Shoreman had the power in the legs to leave his rivals squabbling for the final spots in the podium – taking the chequered flag with a bike length on his rivals.
Mazzone carried on Saint Piran’s strong form with second, as he edged out early breakaway rider Barnes on the line. Hird took fourth, with Armstrong fifth and Harding rounding out the leading sextet.
In the Series standings, Ben Chilton (Ribble Collective) retains the leaders jersey heading into Friday’s final round in Newark with his eighth place finish in Colne but he has just nine points in hand over Fox, who was seventh. Victory keeps Wheelbase CabTech Castelli at the top of the team standings.
Results
National Circuit Series standings
Men’s Individual
Men’s Teams
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