A strong field of men and ladies gathered at Darley Moor in Derbyshire for the annual National Clarion Road Race Championships on Saturday, August 31 with teams representing most of the National Clarion’s 29 sections.
The race set off quickly with Tim Mitchell working to bring back the early attackers. Chris Moreman soon took over the pace setting and as the field split in two it was left to Simon Pateman to co-ordinate the chasing group.
Noel Disbury acquitted himself well in his first road race but it was Vanessa Whitfield, the best placed Saddleworth rider, who went on to sprint for overall victory in Ladies race.
Simon Pateman led home the other Saddleworth riders. The race overall was won by Joe Clark of Fenland Clarion.
On Sunday the club took part in the annual Beard Cup, an inter club hill climbing competition, and took a clean sweep of prizes with Mike Gradwell retaining the tourist trophy, Vanessa Whitfield retaining her ladies trophy and Ben Gillispie taking the mens trophy.
The team victory and the Beard Cup were also awarded to Saddleworth Clarion based on the times of Ben Gillespie, Ian Canaway and Simon Cullen – ending a 15 year stranglehold on the trophy by Blackburn CTC.
Results:
Top 5
Ben Gillespie Saddleworth Clarion
Tom Canaway Settle Worldwide Wheelers
Andy Gorton Rochdale CTC
Stuart Green Oldham Century
Johan Hunter Ashley CC
Saddleworth Clarion members
Ben Gillespie
Ian Canaway
Simon Cullen
Neil Warner
Vanessa Whitfield
Mike Gradwell
Tim Mitchell
Chris Moreman
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