TORWORTH RESULTS 2010

Race 1 Torworth Series: 22-04-10

The new look 2010 NMRRL started in dry, sunny conditions. The new format consists of three separate groups with two of those racing each evening. This week was the turn of the middle group (B) and the fastest group (C).

The fastest group started first and after two laps, two riders Charles Tennick (J E James RT) & Danny Lowthorpe (Rutland CC) had attacked and held a 20 second lead which they increased to 30 seconds a lap later. However, within a lap, the bunch had reeled them in with a counter attack consisting of Jamie Burgan (Boneshakerbikes.com) & Marc Mallender (Rutland CC) forging ahead and holding a 45 second advantage with 2 laps to go. By the final lap they had increased this to 53 seconds which looked unassailable and sure enough at the finish the leading duo were still 50 seconds clear with Jamie Burgan easily outsprinting his breakaway companion. Marc Etches (Sheffrec CC) won the bunch sprint for 3rd place.

In the Group B race, breakaways were hard to come by, as a high tempo was set throughout the duration of the race. In the ensuing bunch sprint Sam Kirby (Doncaster Wheelers) was a clear winner ahead of Simon Jackson (Sheffrec CC) with veteran Ian Iveson (South Elmsall CC) in 3rd place. Next week it's the turn of Group A & B to ride.

GROUP B RESULTS

GROUP C RESULTS

1	Jamie Burgan	Bonshakerbikes.com/Trek	28miles in 1hr 04mins 40secs.
2	Marc Mallender	Rutland CC	@ 3 secs
3	Marc Etches	Sheffrec CC	@ 50 secs
4	Jordon Skinner	Dinnington RC
5	Lee Allen	Doncaster Wheelers
6	Rob Townsend	Sheffrec CC
7	Mark Fidler	TLI
8	Tim Rowson	Horizon Fitness RT
9	Rob Blackburn	JE James RT
10	Dave Furniss	Doncaster Wheelers	All Same Time

Race 1 Finish Group C:

Race 1 Group bunch sprint and Finish Group B:

Race 2 Torworth Series: 29-04-10

Wet, cold conditions made for difficult racing for all the competitors in the 2nd round of races of the Torworth Series. The turnout was quite high considering the horrid weather and consequently, the race distance was reduced by one lap to 24 miles.

Both the A & B groups rode consistently but the conditions made it virtually impossible for breakaways to have any chance of succeeding, so both races resulted in bunch sprints from what was left of their fields.

In the Group B race, Sam Kirby (Doncaster Wheelers/Don Valley Cycles) was once again a clear winner ahead of Dom Smith (Retford & District Wheelers) with John Smith (Yorkshire Velo/Highcliffe Design-UK Bathrooms) in 3rd place. This gives Sam Kirby an early lead in the Overall B standings.

In the first Group A race, juvenile Tom Saville (Norton Wheelers) was a convincing winner ahead of Steve Haggart (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) with Andrew Lees (Sheffrec CC) in 3rd place.

GROUP A RESULTS

1	Tom Saville	Norton Wheelers	24 miles in 1hr 00mins 31secs
2	Steve Haggart	Dinnington RC
3	Andrew Lees	Sheffrec CC
4	Keith Ollerenshaw	Dinnington RC
5	Ben Werth	Dinnington RC
6	Lewis Calvert	Rossington Wheelers
7	Nick Downham	Sheffrec CC
8	John Downing	Dinnington RC
9	Matt Thompson	Sheffrec CC
10	Cameron Reilly	Dinnington RC	All Same Time

A Group Finish

GROUP B RESULTS

B Group Finish

Race 3 Torworth Series: 06-05-10

Cool & windy conditions made it tough for both groups A & C riding in the third races of the series. The Group C race split on the very first lap with Jamie Burgan (Boneshakersbikes.com/Trek) & Daniel Storey (Sheffrec CC) attacking and opening a 15 second gap on a small chasing group, which increased to 35 seconds on the bunch after 2 laps and 43 seconds a lap later. Storey found it difficult to hold onto Burgan's pace and dropped back to the chasing duo of Steve Ellis (Rutland CC) & Mike Rowson (Horizon Fitness RT). With one lap to go Burgan had extended his lead to 50 seconds with the chasing trio being joined by Dan Lowthorpe & Marc Mallender (both Rutland CC) & the bunch a further 35 seconds adrift. At the finish, Burgan completed his 2nd victory of the Series with Dan Storey winning the sprint for 2nd place some 44 seconds behind ahead of Steve Ellis in 3rd place.

The Group A race proved to be less eventful with no attacks managing to gain any lead of any significance. At the finish, Steve Haggart (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) was a clear winner of the bunch sprint ahead of Nick Downham (Sheffrec CC) with Tom Saville (Norton Wheelers) in 3rd place.

GROUP C RESULTS

GROUP A RESULTS

Race 4 Torworth Series: 13-05-10

The cool, windy conditions continued which made it another difficult evening for Groups B & C. In the Group C race, there were attacks in the very first lap instigated by Danny Lowthorpe (Rutland CC). After a further lap, he was joined by Dan Storey (Sheffrec CC) & Tim Rowson (RVO Racing) but the bunch reeled them in only for Lowthorpe to try his luck again together with Storey once more & Ashley Proctor (Sheffrec CC). Again, the race came together but with one lap to go, Mark Mallender (Rutland CC) & Phil Axe (Sharrow CC/Projekt Wheels) opened up a sizeable lead which they held to the finish where Mallender comfortably held off Axe for the win. The bunch came in 14 seconds adrift with the sprint for 3rd place easily won by Jordon Skinner (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) who seemed unaware of the breakaway ahead. The win took Mallender to the top of the Group C rankings after 3 races.

The Group B race was uneventful in comparison with few attacks. Phil Morgan (Kiveton Park CC) & Steve Tomkin (Thurcroft CC) held a short but brief lead after 2 laps and later on, Steve Cocker (TLI), Dave Marsden (Sheffield Tri Club) & James Hunt (Sheffrec CC) attacked with 1 lap to go but it still came down to a bunch sprint where Sam Kirby (RVO Racing) won his third race in a row ahead of Daniel Dickinson (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) with Dominic Smith (Retford & District Wheelers) in 3rd place.

GROUP C RESULTS

GROUP B RESULTS

Race 5 Torworth Series: 20-05-10

Clear, warm conditions finally returned to the NMRRL after several weeks of either cold or wet weather. The week 5 races at Torworth were contested by the A & B groups. A good tempo was set in both races which made it difficult for any attacks to gain any significant advantage.

In the Group B race, John Smith (Yorkshire Velo/Highcliffe Design - UK Bathrooms) made a bold attack with one lap to go but the bunch soon reeled him in and in the hotly contested sprint, Steve Tomkin (Thurcroft CC) won ahead of Sam Kirby (RVO RACING) with Dominic Smith (Retford & District Wheelers) in 3rd place. Despite losing his 100% record, Kirby has a good lead in the Overall Group B standings to take into the Harworth Series.

In the Group A race, the only attack of note was with 2 laps (10 miles) to go when Andy Smith (Rutland CC) & Richard Nutt (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) gained a small advantage but were caught within a lap. At the finish, Richard Walker (TLI) was a clear winner in the bunch sprint.

GROUP A RESULTS

GROUP B RESULTS

Race 6 Torworth Series: 13-05-10

The final races of the Torworth Series were contested by the A & C Groups. The Group C race proved to be the most competitive race of the whole series so far with attacks starting on the very first lap. At the end of lap 1, Tim Rowson (RVO Racing) & juvenile Alex Minting (Planet X) held a narrow lead over the rest of the field, by the 2nd lap they were joined by an additional 5 riders, Dan Storey (Sheffrec CC), Jamie Burgan (Boneshakersbikes.com/Trek), Luke Allen (Doncaster Wheelers/Don Valley Cycles), Charles Tennick (J E James RT/SIS-Zipp-Sram-Look-Met) & Danny Lowthorpe (Rutland CC) and together they held a 27 second lead. The leading group worked well over the next 2 laps increasing their advantage to well over a minute on the bunch.

On the penultimate lap, Burgan & Lowthorpe attacked the leading group so that by the bell they held a 32 second advantage over the rest of the escapees who in turn still held a minute's lead on the bunch. The finish was uncontested with Lowthorpe crossing the line ahead of Burgan for his first win of the series. Behind, the rest of the breakaway slowed knowing that they had no hope of catching the leading duo and just managed to stay ahead of a fast closing bunch with Minting taking 3rd place ahead of Tennick, over a minute behind Lowthorpe. Burgan's 2nd place was enough to take him back to the top of the Group C Overall Standings after the Torworth Series.

The Group A race was by comparison a very uneventful with no significant breaks of any kind taking place. At the finish, Scott Haggart (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) was a clear winner ahead of Barry Parker (RVO Racing) with John Downing (Dinnington RC) in 3rd place. Haggart takes a significant lead into the Harworth Series in the Group A Overall Standings.

GROUP C RESULTS

GROUP A RESULTS

HARWORTH RESULTS 2010

Race 7 Harworth Series: 03-06-10

The first race of the Harworth Series was contested by the B & C groups on the shorter 4.2 mile circuit. The hot, sunny conditions made for a welcome change compared to the cold conditions at Torworth.

The Group C race was eventful from the start with Daniel Lowthorpe (Rutland CC) & Dan Storey (Sheffrec CC) attacking and gaining a half minute advantage on the bunch by the end of the very first lap. They managed to extend this lead and hold it at between 40 & 50 seconds over the next 3 laps. With 2 laps to go, a chasing group of 5 riders established who were 45 seconds behind the leading duo with the bunch now well over a minute down. By the bell, the chasing group had split which really didn't give them much chance of catching the race long break which now had a gap approaching a minute. At the finish line, Dan Storey easily won the sprint from Lowthorpe with Mark Mallender (Rutland CC) taking 3rd place ahead of Lee Allen (RVO Racing) & Phil Axe (Sharrow CC/Projekt Wheels) over a minute behind the leading duo. As a result, Mallender takes over top spot in the Overall Group C Standings.

The Group B race was less competitive. There were numerous attempts to break away but no significant advantage was ever gained. At the line, David Marsden (Sheffield Tri Club) proved the strongest on the uphill finish ahead of James Hunt (Sheffrec CC), these two gaining a small gap on the rest of the field. Sam Kirby (RVO Racing) continues to hold a comfortable lead in group B.

GROUP B RESULTS

1	David Marsden	Sheffield TRI Club	29.4miles in 1hr 10mins 11secs
2	James Hunt	Sheffrec CC	Same Time
3	Steve Tomkin	Thurcroft CC	@ 4 secs
4	Frans Schrijver	Sheffrec CC
5	Ian Iveson	South Elmsall CC
6	Sam Kirby	RVO Racing
7	Dominic Smith	Retford & District Wheelers
8	Simon Cocker	TLI
9	Alex Mitchell	Sheffrec CC
10	Peter Beverley	Featherstone RC	All Same Time

GROUP C RESULTS

Race 8 Harworth Series: 10-06-10

Cool conditions returned for the 2nd week of races at Harworth contested on the normal 6 mile circuit by the A & B Groups.

The Group B stayed together for the whole of the race with no attacks gaining any significant advantage. At the finish, Sam Kirby (RVO Racing) proved to be the strongest on the uphill finish outsprinting Dominic Smith (Retford & District Wheelers) with Tom Sutton (Sheffield Phoenix CC) in 3rd place. The win extended Kirby's lead in the Group B Overall Standings.

The Group A race was more eventful with a breakaway group consisting of 4 riders, Alan Hamshaw, Keith Ollerenshaw (both Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre), Andy Smith (Rutland CC) & Matt Thompson (Sheffrec CC) establishing a 45 second lead over the bunch on the 3rd of the 5 laps. With a lap to go Tom Saville (Norton Wheelers) & Nick Downham (Sheffrec CC) gave chase, 35 seconds down on the leading quartet with the bunch a further half a minute behind. At the line, Hamshaw proved to be the strongest winning the sprint from Thompson with Ollerenshaw in 3rd & Smith 17 seconds down in 4th place. Saville & Downham were 5th & 6th, 42 seconds behind the winner with the bunch trailing in over 2 minutes behind.

GROUP A RESULTS

GROUP B RESULTS

1	Sam Kirby	RVO Racing	30 miles in 1hr 10mins 55secs
2	Dominic Smith	Retford & District Wheelers
3	Tom Sutton	Sheffield Phoenix CC
4	Steve Tomkin	Thurcroft CC
5	Frans Schrijver	Sheffrec CC
6	Andy Robinson	Dinnington RC
7	Dave Marshal	RVO Racing
8	David Marsden	Sheffield TRI Club
9	David Beresford	Norton Wheelers
10	Daniel Sudbury	Sheffrec CC	All Same Time

Race 9 Harworth Series: 17-06-10

Warm conditions were a welcome return for the 3rd races of the Harworth Series contested by the A & C groups.
Once again the Group C race was hotly contested with a breakaway of three riders, Daniel Storey (Sheffrec CC), Jordon Skinner (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) & Marc Mallender (Rutland CC) establishing a lead on the 2nd of the 5 laps. The leading trio were soon joined by Jamie Burgan (Boneshakersbikes.com/Trek) & veteran Phil Axe (Sharrow CC/Projekt Wheels) and by the bell the leading group had a minute's lead on the bunch. At the finish Skinner won the sprint ahead of Burgan, Axe, Storey with Mallender in 5th spot.

The bunch sprint was won by James Thompson (Boneshakersbikes.com) over a minute behind. The result means that both Burgan & Mallender are now joint leaders in the Group C Overall Standings.

The Group A race failed to provide a breakaway despite the difficult course. The bunch stayed together for the duration of the race with Richard Walker (Sheffrec CC) taking the sprint for his 2nd victory this year. Andrew Lees (Sheffrec CC) was in 2nd place with Richard Nutt (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) in 3rd. Scott Haggart (Dinnington RC) finished in 7th place to retain a narrow lead over Tom Saville (Norton Wheelers) in the Group B Overall Standings.

GROUP A RESULTS

GROUP C RESULTS

1	Jordon Skinner	Dinnington RC	30 miles in 1hr 11mins 13secs
2	Jamie Burgan	Boneshakerbikes.com/Trek
3	Phil Axe	Sharrow CC / Projekt Wheels
4	Daniel Storey	Sheffrec CC
5	Marc Mallender	Rutland CC	All Same Time
6	James Thompson	Boneshakerbikes.com/Trek	@ 1 min 05 secs
7	Marc Etches	Sheffrecc CC
8	David Furniss	Doncaster Wheelers
9	Simon Keeton	Rutland CC
10	Tim Rowson	RVO Racing	All Same Time

Race 10 Harworth Series: 24-06-10

The warm, sunny conditions continued at Harworth where groups B & C were contesting the 4th round of races of the Series. In contrast to most of the previous races, the bunch were not letting an early breakaway succeed in the Group C race. Past double NMRRL champion Marc Etches (Sheffrec CC) & Marc Mallender (Rutland CC) opened a small gap at the end of the 2nd of the 5 laps but the race was altogether again just a lap later. Only on the final lap did a group gain a small advantage coming into the long uphill finishing straight and at the line, juvenile Alex Minting (Planet X) took the sprint from Jamie Burgan (Boneshakersbikes.com/Trek) with Daniel Storey (Sheffrec CC) in 3rd place.

The Group B race was once again relatively uneventful with the only significant gap occuring with one lap to go where Daniel Dickinson (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) & Sam Kirby (RVO Racing) opened up a small advantage on the rest of the field. By the finish the race was all back together and in a hard fought bunch sprint Dominic Smith (Retford & District Wheelers) was the clear winner ahead of Steve Tomkin (Thurcroft CC) with Andy Robinson (Dinnington RC) & David Marsden (Sheffield Tri Club) just inches behind in 3rd & 4th places.

GROUP B RESULTS

1	Dominic Smith	Retford & District Wheelers	30 miles in 1hr 12mins 48secs
2	Steve Tomkin	Thurcroft CC
3	Andy Robinson	Dinnington RC
4	David Marsden	Sheffield TRI Club
5	Tom Sutton	Sheffield Phoenix CC
6	John Smith	Yorkshire Velo
7	Simon Jackson	Sheffrec CC
8	Mat Barker-Quick	Harworth & District Wheelers
9	Ian Iveson	South Elmsall CC
10	Dave Marshal	RVO Racing	All Same Time

GROUP C RESULTS

Race 11 Harworth Series: 01-07-10

Sunny, warm conditions continued for another week at Harworth which in previous years has been associated with some very wet weather. The penultimate week was contested by the A & B groups.

The Group B race proved to be the most eventful of their whole year so far with a breakaway finally getting a gap. Six riders, Daniel Dickinson & Andy Robinson (both Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre), Peter Beverley (Featherstone RC), David Marsden (Sheffield Tri Club), James Hunt (Sheffrec CC) & Simon Cocker (TLI) opened up a 26 second lead at the end of the 2nd lap. The gap had increased to 45 seconds a lap later and this lead was maintained to the bell lap.

At the finish, Dickinson proved to be the strongest finishing well clear of Beverley with Cocker in 3rd place. The bunch realising they had no chance of catching the break on the final lap came in nearly one and a half minutes down.
With Dominic Smith (Retford & District Wheelers) not riding, Sam Kirby (RVO Racing) failed to take full advantage to extend his lead in the Overall Group B standings, managing just 10th place.

The Group A race mostly stayed together for the duration of the race with no attacks managing to gain a significant advantage. Veteran, John Downing (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) won the sprint from juvenile Tom Saville (Norton Wheelers) with Nick Downham (Sheffrec CC) in 3rd place. Saville's 2nd place means he now leads the Group A Overall standings.

GROUP A RESULTS

GROUP B RESULTS

1	Daniel Dickinson	Dinnington RC	30miles in 1hr 08mins 24secs
2	Peter Beverley	Featherstone RC
3	Simon Cocker	TLI
4	James Hunt	Sheffrec CC
5	David Marsden	Sheffield TRI Club	All Same Time
6	Andy Robinson	Dinnington RC	@ 14 secs
7	Tom Sutton	Sheffield Phoenix	@ 1 min 25 secs
8	David Beresford	Norton Wheelers
9	Alex Mitchell	Sheffrec CC
10	Sam Kirby	RVO Racing	All Same Time

Race 12 Harworth Series: 08-07-10

The good weather conditions continued for the last races at Harworth featuring the A & C groups.

The Group C race proved to be less eventful than their previous races on this circuit with few attacks managing to open up a decent gap. James Thompson (Boneshakersbikes.com/Trek) & Tim Rowson (RVO Racing) managed to gain a 16 second advantage on the bunch at the end of the 2nd lap but the field was back together again just a lap later and generally that's how it stayed for the remainder of the race. At the finish, past double NMRRL champion Marc Etches (Sheffrec CC) proved to be the strongest on the uphill finish, taking his first victory in this year's League ahead of Dave Furniss (Doncaster Wheelers/Don Valley Cycles) with Group C Overall Leader, Jamie Burgan (Boneshakersbikes.com) in 3rd place. Burgan continues to lead the Group C Overall Standings with Dan Storey (Sheffrec CC) moving into 2nd place with his 4th place.

The Group A race followed a similar pattern with no breakaways managing to open any significant gap. Andrew Lees (Sheffrec CC) made it a double win for Sheffrec CC on the night, finishining well clear of veteran John Downing (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) with juvenile Tom Saville (Norton Wheelers) in 3rd place. Saville continues to lead the Group A Overall Standings ahead of Downing.

GROUP A RESULTS

1	Andrew Lees	Sheffrec CC	30 miles in 1hr 11mins 28secs
2	John Downing	Dinnington RC
3	Tom Saville	Norton Wheelers
4	Cameron Reilly	Dinnington RC
5	Richard Nutt	Dinnington RC
6	John Hadley	Doncaster Wheelers
7	Alan Hamshaw	Dinnington RC
8	Peter Ryalls	Sheffield Phoenix
9	Barry Parker	RVO Racing
10	Daniel Shinn	Sheffrecc CC	All Same Time

GROUP C RESULTS

STAINTON RESULTS 2010

Race 13 Stainton Series: 15-07-10

The NMRRL moved onto Stainton for the third and final Series of 2010. The first races were contested by the A & B Groups in fine conditions.

The Group B race stayed together with no attacks of any note succeeding. The inevitable bunch sprint was won by junior Dominic Smith (Retford & District Wheelers) ahead of Steve Cocker (TLI) with Sam Kirby (RVO Racing) in 3rd place. After missing his last race at Harworth, Smith's win enabled him to close the gap to just 5 points in the Overall Group B standings.

The Group A race was also fairly uneventful with the only attack of note coming from Andrew Lees (Sheffrec CC) & Keith Ollerenshaw (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) who opened up a 15 second gap at the midway point only for the race to come back together a lap later. At the finish, Richard Nutt (Dinnington RC) was a clear winner in the bunch sprint ahead of Lees with veteran Ken Downing (Thurcroft CC) in 3rd place.

Also of note was 14 year old Jessie Walker (Dinnington RC), daughter of triple NMRRL Champion Chris Walker getting a creditable 10th place in her first road race on open roads.

GROUP A RESULTS

GROUP B RESULTS

1	Dominic Smith	Retford & District Wheelers	27 miles in 1hr 07mins 46secs
2	Steve Cocker	TLI
3	Sam Kirby	RVO Racing
4	David Marsden	Sheffield Tri Club
5	Simon Cocker	TLI
6	Dave Marshall	RVO Racing
7	Daniel Sudbury	Sheffrec CC
8	Mike Hutton	Sheffrec CC
9	Alex Mitchell	Sheffrec CC
10	Stuart Burrows	Featherstone RC	All Same Time

Race 14 Stainton Series: 22-07-10

The 2nd races of the Staintion Series were held in dull, blustery conditions.

The Group C race proved to very eventful with many attacks. At the start of the 3rd lap Alex Minting (Planet X) & Marc Mallender (Rutland CC) held a narrow 11 second lead, only to be brought back one lap later. By the start of the 5th lap veterans Steve Ellis (Rutland CC) & Mike Rowson (Horizon Fitness RT) had opened up an 18 second lead, which they did well to increase to 24 seconds a lap later.

However, with 2 laps to go the bunch had reeled them in and was still together at the bell. A bunch sprint was expected but in the closing miles a trio of riders escaped, Lee Allen (RVO Racing) with amazingly, both Steve Ellis & Mike Rowson once more. At the finish, Allen proved to be the fastest a bike length ahead of Ellis with Rowson in 3rd place just off the pace. Charles Tennick (J E James RT/SIS Zipp Sram Look Met) led the bunch home in 4th place 7 seconds behind. In the Overall Group C Standings, Jamie Burgan (Boneshakersbikes.com/Trek) who managed 6th place, holds a comfortable lead over Dan Storey (Sheffrec CC) who was 5th.

The Group B race was less eventful with no attacks of any note until the start of the 6th lap when Andrew Wasteney (Beighton Wheelers) opened up a useful 19 second lead, but a lap later, the bunch had reduced this to 11 seconds and by the bell the field was back together. At the finish, Dominic Smith (Retford & District Wheelers) was the clear winner, 2 lengths ahead of Steve Cocker (TLI) with Simon Cocker (TLI) in 3rd place. This was Smith's 2nd victory in a row and with Sam Kirby (RVO Racing) unplaced, Smith now takes over the Overall Lead in the Group B Standings.

GROUP C RESULTS

GROUP B RESULTS

1	Dominic Smith	Retford & District Wheelers	27 miles in 1hr 07mins 12secs
2	Steve Cocker	TLI
3	Simon Cocker	TLI
4	Ian Iveson	South Elmsall CC
5	Andrew Wasteney	Beighton Wheelers
6	Dave Marshall	RVO Racing
7	Graham Waller	TLI
8	Peter Beverley	Featherstone RC
9	Jon Wolff	Wakefield Tri Club
10	Mike Hutton	Sheffrec CC	All Same Time

Race 15 Stainton Series: 29-07-10

The third races of the Stainton Series were contested by the A & C groups in cool, windy conditions.
The Group C race proved to be very eventful with attacks taking place throughout the duration of the race. At the start of the 2nd of the 8 laps, Tim Rowson (RVO Racing) had opened up a 7 second lead on the rest of the field but was pulled back before teamate Lee Allen (RVO Racing) then had a go, opening up a narrow lead by the start of the 3rd lap only to be pulled back shortly after. A lap later it was the turn of Marc Mallender (Rutland CC) & Rob Townsend (Sheffrec CC), who opened up a 15 second lead. They were then joined by other riders including Jamie Burgan (Boneshakersbikes.com/Trek) & Rob Blackburn (J E James RT/SIS-Zipp-Sram-Look-Met) and by the start of the 5th lap this group had a promising lead of 19 seconds. However, the bunch were not letting them go and a lap later the lead had been cut to 11 seconds.

By the start of the 7th lap, the group had been pulled back and it was the turn of Steve Ellis (Rutland CC) & Mike Rowson (Horizon Fitness RT) to open up a short lead. Both Ellis & Rowson had been highly active in the previous Group C race last week and they once again instigated a break which was to succeed. By the the bell, the duo were joined by Burgan, Allen, Mallender plus Charles Tennick, Mark Fidler (both J E James RT) & junior Ben Last (Sportscover RT). At the finish Tennick proved to be the fastest ahead of Last with Fidler in 3rd place. Burgan's 4th place meant that he increased his lead in the Overall Group C Standings over Dan Storey (Sheffrec CC) to 18 points.
In comparison, the Group A race couldn't really match the action in the Group C race. A good pace was set by the bunch which made it difficult for any breaks to succeed. At the start of the 6th lap, Nick Downham (Sheffrec CC) & Tom Saville (Norton Wheelers) opened up a narrow lead but their escape proved to be short lived as the race was back together again a lap later.

At the finish, Andrew Lees (Sheffrec CC) clearly won the bunch sprint for his 2nd win in succession, with veteran John Downing (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) in 2nd place and Scott Haggart (Dinnington RC) in 3rd. Downing now takes over the lead in the Overall Group A Standings ahead of Saville & Haggart tied for 2nd place just 6 points behind, with a quickly closing Lees in 4th spot just a point further back, all of which makes it interesting for the remaining 2 races.

GROUP A RESULTS

1	Andrew Lees	Sheffrec CC	27.2miles in 1hr 11mins 02secs
2	John Downing	Dinnington RC
3	Scott Haggart	Dinnington RC
4	Matt Thompson	Sheffrec CC
5	Alan Hamshaw	Dinnington RC
6	Barry Parker	RVO Racing
7	Cameron Reilly	Dinnington RC
8	Nick Downham	Sheffrec CC
9	Ian Broadley	Featherstone RC
10	Richard Nutt	Dinnington RC	All Same Time

GROUP C RESULTS

Race 16 Stainton Series: 05-08-10

The 4th round of the Stainton Series was held in bright, blustery conditions by the B & C groups. Both races proved to be very eventful due to different reasons.

The Group B race exploded from the very start with 5 riders attacking from the gun. The breakaway consisted of most of the top riders in the Overall Group B standings, leader Dominic Smith (Retford & District Wheelers), Simon Cocker (TLI), David Marsden (Sheffield Tri Club), Andy Robinson (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) & Steve Tomkin (Thurcroft CC) and they quickly opened up a sizeable gap on the rest of Group B. Only once before in all the Group B races this year, had a breakaway managed to gain an advantage of over 30 seconds and that was the only succesful break so far, in the 5th race at the Harworth Series.

The pace set in the first two laps by the breakaway resulted in them catching the supposedly 'faster' Group C who had set off a minute and a half in front of them. The breakaway overtook the Group C race towards the end of the 2nd lap, taking them totally by surprise. Controvesy then took hold as really Group C should have slowed and allowed the rest of the Group B race to pass and then only resumed racing once a sufficient gap had been achieved between the two races. Instead, some riders in Group C decided they weren't going to allow riders from Group B to overtake them and chased the Group B breakaway down and the rest followed. This certainly had the result of disrupting the Group B breakaway who had a lead of around 40 seconds at the end of the 2nd lap on the rest of Group B.

Over the remainder of the race, the breakaway continued to try and get away from Group C but by that time Group C were also involved in their own hard fought race. At the finish, the breakaway had the sense to drop off the back of the Group C race in the closing stages and contest the finish amongst themselves where Smith easily won the sprint ahead of Cocker with Tomkin in 3rd place. The rest of Group B trailed in nearly one and a half minutes down. The win secured the Overall Group B title for Smith with just one race remaining.

The Group C race had started with a particularly slow opening lap with the consequence of the Group B breakaway catching them by the end of the 2nd lap. During that 1st lap, Ben Last (Sportscover RT) had broken away and held a 27 second lead, which reduced to 17 seconds at the end of the 2nd lap, then the field was back together a lap later.
By the end of the 4th lap James Thompson (Boneshakersbikes.com/Trek) had opened up a narrow lead and was then joined by team-mate & Overall Group C leader Jamie Burgan. With 2 laps to go Burgan was on his own with a lead of just 11 seconds over the rest of Group C. However, Burgan has shown himself to be the strongest rider throughout the Group C races this year, and once again he proved it here by opening up the gap to 40 seconds at the bell.
By the finish, Burgan had further increased his lead to finish well clear and by so doing secured the Overall Group C title with a race to spare. Jordon Skinner (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) won the sprint for 2nd place ahead of Charles Tennick (J E James RT/SIS-Look-Sram-Met-Zipp).

With 2 weeks left, only the Group A title is undecided with 4 riders still in contention.

GROUP B RESULTS

1	Dominic Smith	Retford & District Wheelers	27 miles in 1hr 05mins 20secs
2	Simon Cocker	TLI
3	Steve Tompkin	Thurcroft CC
4	Andy Robinson	Dinnington RC
5	David Marsden	Sheffield Tri Club	All Same Time
6	Graham Waller	TLT	@ 1 min 27 secs
7	John Smith	Yorkshire Velo / UK Bathrooms
8	Sam Kirby	RVO Racing
9	Alex Mitchell	Sheffrec CC
10	Ian Iveson	South Elmsall CC	All Same Time

GROUP C RESULTS

Race 17 Stainton Series: 12-08-10

The 5th round of the Stainton Series consisted of the final Group B race and the penultimate Group A race. The race distances were shortened by one lap to 7 laps due to gloomy conditions.

The Group B race was not quite as eventful as the previous event with little happening over the the opening laps. Dominic Smith (Retford & District Wheelers), who already had enough points to be crowned Group B champion & Dave Marshall (RVO Racing) opened up a short lead at the end of the 3rd lap but were quickly pulled back within a lap.
The next big attack didn't take place until the penultimate lap, when Andy Robinson (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) broke away and held a 9 second lead at the bell. He continued with his effort and was rewarded with a creditable solo win, the only one out of all the Group B races this year. The rest of Group B were unable to bring him back and finished 17 seconds behind with Andrew Wasteney (Beighton Wheelers) taking 2nd place ahead of Peter Beverley (Featherstone RC) in 3rd place.

The Overall Group B winner, Dominic Smith finished in 8th place not really contesting the finish. He finished on 81 points, 15 points ahead of Sam Kirby (RVO Racing) in 2nd with Dave Marsden (Sheffield Tri Club) in 3rd, a further 5 points adrift.

The Group A title was still up for grabs with 4 riders still in contention going into the penultimate event. The result was a pretty negative race with every move closed down quickly. Tom Saville (Norton Wheelers) opened up a small lead with 2 laps to go but was quickly brought back. A bunch sprint was inevitable, where Andrew Lees (Sheffrec CC) won his 3rd consecutive Group A race ahead of John Downing (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) with teamate Richard Nutt in 3rd place. The win moved Lees into 2nd place in the Overall Group A Standings but Downing's 2nd place means he still holds a good lead going into the final race. However, Saville's 4th place & Scott Haggart's 5th place mean that 4 riders still have a chance of winning the Group A title.

GROUP A RESULTS

1	Andrew Lees	Sheffrec CC	23.8miles in 1hr 00mins 40secs
2	John Downing	Dinnington RC
3	Richard Nutt	Dinnington RC
4	Tom Saville	Norton Wheelers
5	Scott Haggart	Dinnington RC
6	Ben Werth	Dinnington RC
7	Keith Ollerenshaw	Dinnington RC
8	Dave Singleton	Doncaster Wheelers
9	Barry Parker	RVO Racing
10	Matt Thompson	Sheffrec CC	All Same Time

GROUP B RESULTS

Race 18 Stainton Series: 19-08-10

The last races of this year's NMRRL were contested by the A & C groups. The weather was at it's worst since May with persistent rain throughout, so the gloomy conditions enforced a reduction of the race distance by 2 laps to 6 laps.
In the Group C race, with the title already decided, the rest of the placings were still up for grabs which resulted in an eventful race with attacks taking place from the very start. In fact, despite the conditions, this proved to be the fastest Group C race of the Stainton Series so far. No significant gaps were achieved until 2 laps to go when a group of 4 riders, Overall Group C winner, Jamie Burgan (Boneshakersbikes.com/Trek), Rutland CC duo, Marc Mallender & Steve Ellis plus Daniel Storey (Sheffrec CC) opened a 23 second gap over the rest of the field and by the bell this had increased to 35 seconds.

At the finish, Ellis, who has been one of the most active riders of the series, broke away from his companions to finish alone for a much deserved victory. Storey took 2nd place ahead of Mallender to also take 2nd place in the Overall Standings. Burgan, not contesting the finish was 4th and Jordon Skinner (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) won the bunch sprint for 5th place some 48 seconds down on Ellis.

The Group A title was still undecided going into the final race with 4 riders still having a chance, so it was a surprise that Tom Saville (Norton Wheelers) & Scott Haggart (Dinnington RC/Universal Cycle Centre) in 3rd & 4th places both failed to start. This probably made it slightly easier for Overall Group A Leader John Downing (Dinnington RC), thus having a 6 point advantage over the in form Andrew Lees (Sheffrec CC), Downing had to finish no lower than 7th place to ensure winning the Group A title.

The Group A race was therefore controlled with no attacks of any significance taking place.
At the finish, Lees once again won the bunch sprint for his 3rd consecutive win at Stainton (as well as a 2nd at the 1st race) with Richard Nutt (Dinnington RC) in 2nd place and Barry Parker (RVO Racing) in 3rd. Downing's comfortable 4th place enabled him to win the Overall Group A title, 3 points ahead of Lees, as well as the Best Veteran Rider title in this year's NMRRL.

The 2010 NMRRL Prize Presentation will take place on Friday 1st October at the Carlton Park Hotel, Moorgate, Rotherham starting 7.00pm. Prizes will be awarded to the best riders in the Overall Standings in each Group as well as Category prizes in each group and also prizes in the NMRRL Saturday League for both Overall & Category.

GROUP A RESULTS

1	Andrew Lees	Sheffrec CC	20.4miles in 53mins 10secs
2	Richard Nutt	Dinnington RC
3	Barry Parker	RVO Racing
4	John Downing	Dinnington RC
5	Neil Proctor	Sheffrec CC
6	Matt Thompson	Sheffrec CC
7	Ben Werth	Dinnington RC
8	Ken Downing	Thurcroft CC
9	Keith Ollerenshaw	Dinnington RC
10	Ian Broadley	Featherstone RC	All Same Time

GROUP C RESULTS