Perfect conditions for the fourth event of the Summer Series and the second on the new Camelot Belgie course.  And this time we tweaked it slightly - by adding distance.  Added 1 lap for the D grade and 5 laps to the C and A/B grades.   We figured we finished with plenty of light the week before so would make better use of that and possibly bring some endurance fitness into play for some.

Social Circuit

1. Ross Jackson
2. Christine Stephenson

We've had quite a good number of different riders in the Social Circuit but unfortunately never all on the same night.  And while it seemed like a big sized bunch - it was mainly made up of those warming up - with just Christine and Ross actually in the grade.   What a beautiful night for a tootle around the circuit though and there were plenty of people from the later grades joining the social circuit as a warm-up!  For those that don't know - the social circuit is 5 laps - but the first 4 laps the riders stay together at a pace all can manage - and when the bell chimes for the last lap - those that want to can get all competitive and ride it as fast as they can.   Ross put in a big effort on the last lap and took line honours from Christine.

D Grade

1. Glynis Te Maipi-Kemp
2. John Pratt
3. Dave Downer
4. David Cunningham
5. Dianna Borman
6. Shayne Griggs
7. Jonathan Clark
8. Hannah Alderton
9. Clive Brugh

This was a nice-sized group with a couple of riders coming back down from the C grade to spice things up. The bunch stayed together for the most part - with a few shelling off the peloton as the laps mounted.  But it was still a group of four that contested the sprint in the end.   I know Glynis was worried about hanging on the bunch after not having been in an event for a long time, but she needn't have worried as she was loving the gravel and making the others play catch up each lap - and that paid off in the end as she took the sprint nicely from John Pratt and Dave Downer who are both as competitive as ever.    

C Grade

1. Grant Haggett
2. Ricky Field
3. Cole Campbell
4. Lee Pownall
5. Andy Ross
6. Johnny Holton
7. Phil Cocker
8. Dave Chandler

This was the event of the night really with it being the first time we've seen a breakaway get away and stay away during the summer series.  The peloton stayed together for much of the event but with 4-5 laps to go a break formed through the gravel with Grant and Ricky managing to get a gap.  Andy tried valiantly to close it down but needed support to get across. Perhaps the longer distance meant that others weren't able to help.  And once the chase stopped in earnest, Grant and Ricky were able to ride away... That's not to say it was easy for them - they were both on the rivet with Grant taking massive turns on the front.  When they took the bell the peloton was not even in sight yet - so it came down to sprint between the two of them.  Grant took a thoroughly deserved win with Ricky right on his wheel.   Pretty damn cool that Ricky got in the break and took second after being dropped by the peloton the week before - so Ricky is my rider of the night - chapeau!   There was a bunch sprint for third place with first-time rider Cole Campbell taking it from Lee and Andy.   A big welcome to Cole and Johnny Holton who rode with us for the first time - nice to have you with us guys.

A/B Grade

1. Katie Richards
2. Keri Graham
3. Leon Goodwin
4. Dwight Garton
5. Jon Cox
6. Gary Clareburt
7. Jonathan Neal
8. Richard Graham
9. Paul Rawlinson (DNF)

This too was an event with a few twists.  Firstly we had Paul and Katie take a flyer for one lap - but this was more about trying to get the Strava KOM (which was got by Katie) for the circuit rather than a serious long-term strategy.  And then there was a serious effort to get away by Leon, and he stayed away for a couple of laps but perhaps lacked someone to work with him as happened in the C grade.   So when they took the bell it was all back together.  But the twists hadn't finished, with a nice strategy by the Graham Clan, letting Keri get away through the gravel, and Richard letting him go while being as wide as possible on the front of the group.   This thwarted all but Katie who was able to catch and pass Keri and take the win - but Keri came in for a very well deserved second (and owes his dad a beer for sacrifice strategy).   Chapeau guys!  Leon came in for third from Dwight who's still collecting nice points despite not feeling the best.

Thanks as always to those that are there working to put the event on and keep us safe.  To Gary and Dwight for course setup and takedown. To Dianna for registration.  To Bruce Edgar, John Valentine, Cath Campbell and Pete Gibbs for marshaling duties.  Thanks one and all.

Updated points are below...   It's tight in the C and D grades!

See you all next week.