LVRC, Staffordshire Oatcake Road Race, final event in Percy Stallard Series - Sunday 12th Sep

Group 1, A(40 – 44y) & B(45-50y) riders.

55 miles round an 11 mile circuit (five laps) starting at Swynnerton near Stafford. The course described as undulating had one main hill, long but not too steep, its short steeper sections either side of the finish. Fortunately it ran mainly North/South as there was a strong Westerly wind.

The current standings in the Percy Stallard series were posted with Roger in 3^rd place behind Nick Yarworth and Brian Davison. Brian (LVRC National Champion) was on 27 points and Roger on 24. Nick had an unassailable lead and wasn’t riding. Chris Bishop (Knaresborough RT) was due to ride in the C/D race but decided to ride in the “youngsters’” race to work for Roger. We decided on a tactical race going with any B riders. I suggested sitting tight for a couple of laps as it would be hard getting away on such a windy day.

Paul Freeman (Alpha RC), a B rider put in an early attack and got a considerable gap. The Bishop's tried to organise a chase but no one else was interested. Chris eased up and Roger rode hard off the front to catch the lone rider (so much for race plans but it was too exciting). They worked well but after about 4 miles were joined and after a short time dropped by two A riders. Meanwhile, Chris was policing the bunch and chasing down any B attacks. Roger and Paul Freeman continued but were caught at the end of the first lap. The next time the A riders were seen was at the race Headquarters!

Other than the two A riders down the road the race stayed together for the next three laps mainly thanks to Chris doing long turns when chasing any “B” attacks with Roger doing shorter turns. As usual there were only a few riders prepared to work.

Brian Davison was quite active so Roger followed any attacks he made. On the last lap Nick Giles got a gap, Roger chased and was joined by Chris, they caught Nick Giles but he couldn’t increase his pace and was dropped. Almost immediately another rider joined the Bishop's but he too was dropped on a long drag. Now on their own they established a decent gap but it was along the back straight partly into the wind. Chris did long hard turns with Roger coming through for short turns while Chris recovered. They were caught just after the final turn with about 3 miles to go, attacks started straight away, and Chris’ legs were at last getting heavy. Roger managed to go with several attacks from Davison and worked with Freeman again until the pair were caught by three A riders. Roger managed to keep in as Freeman was dropped, and the four got a good gap. Roger was dropped with about ½ a mile to go but had sufficient time on the chasers and strength to stay well clear and cross the line as first B.

Roger got 10 points for being 1^st and Brian Davison came in 3^rd getting 8 points.

Percy Stallard Final Positions, B cat.

1^st  Nick Yarworth   40 points

2^nd  Brian Davison   35 points

3^rd  Roger Bishop     34 points