Beacon Roads CC 39

James Foggensteiner (Apus Peak RT) battled to a narrow victory in the road bike category at the third round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series, while Celia Brown (Beacon Roads CC) was the women’s winner.

Foggensteiner, aged 22, took his first win of the season covering the challenging 39-mile course in a time of one hour, 41 minutes and 50 seconds winning by just 13 seconds.

Organised by Beacon RCC, the K22/39 course saw riders start and finish in Great Witley and starting with a relatively flat loop out towards Worcester before the climbing started with a long climb to complete the loop.

The tough undulating terrain continued in the longer loop climbing up through Upper Sapey on the exposed road to Bromyard.

Riders then joined the fast A44 down to Knightwick before the sharp turn and climb back through Martley to the finish at Great Witley.

Foggensteiner finished fourth in the previous round of Merlin Cycles Classic Series missing out in a close podium fight.

Over the longer Worcestershire course Foggensteiner snatched victory by just 13 seconds ahead of Gerard Henry (University of Warwick) who clocked 1-42-03.

In a close battle for the podium places Eliot Ward (Inflite) finished third a further 29 seconds behind (1-42-32).

The men’s veteran’s road bike category was also keenly fought out with Crispin Doyle (VTTA Wessex Group) the fastest in 1-45-42 which was just six seconds faster than Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com) while Kevin Satterthwaite (Beacon Roads CC) finished third (1-52-01).

Taking the women’s road bike victory was veteran Brown who recorded an average speed of over 19.8 miles per hour and a winning time of 1-58-10.

Riding for the hosting club Brown previously finished third in the VTTA 15 earlier this month.

Louisa Cooper (Bournemouth Jubilee Whs) continued in her pursuit of overall honours and matched her second place in the opening round in a time of 2-11-36.

Completing the women’s road bike podium positions was Sally Maitland (Beeston Cycling Club) who completed the course in 2-16-16.

Sophie Heighton (Ferryhill Whs) was the fastest girl completing the course in a time of 2-28-42.

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* A gallery of images from this event is available here