1st Cat for Jackson.....Whatling nearly there!

At the fourth of Team Economic Energy's circuit races at Dunton, on Thursday 26th July, James Jackson secured his 1st category licence after a fantastic ride in support of James Whatling who was in the breakaway.

As usual, the field for these circuit races at Ford's Dunton test track was strong and, with the addition of James Millard and Adam Norris (PCA/Evans Cycles RT), there was always going to be some team tactics in play. This happened earlier than expected when Adam broke away with Dean Shannon (Heron Cyclesport), Ben White (Finchley RT) and Daniel Pattern (Pacific/Flanders RT). Millard sat up on the front of the bunch and then, after the break had established itself, launched himself off the front of the bunch to bridge across to the leaders.

Sensing that this would be the move of the race, James Whatling buried himself to get on Millard's wheel as he powered across the gap. Once the junction had been made, James recovered enough to help drive the fast moving break and they worked well to pull further and further away from the chasing bunch. Back in the pack, James Jackson was the perfect team mate, making a nuisance of himself (as ever!) to disrupt the chase and even tried to bridge across to the break himself but the wind and the pace of the leaders proved too much.

With 5 laps of the race remaining, James Millard decided he wanted to go it alone and managed to get a fair gap before the break deemed his escape too dangerous and reeled him back in. Daniel Pattern immediately countered and, after the effort of pulling Millard back, no one wanted to chase again and Daniel powered away for the final few laps to take a much deserved win. Ben White (Finchley RT) and James Millard clipped off the front of the break in the final stages to finish 2nd and 3rd and Adam Norris (PCA/Evans Cycles RT) won the sprint for 4th, with James Whatling coming in 9th. James Jackson took the bunch sprint comfortably and his 12th place gave him enough points for his 1st cat licence.

Results:
1.) Daniel Pattern: Pacific/Flanders RT
2.) Ben White: Finchley RT
3.) James Millard: PCA/Evans Cycles RT
4.) Adam Norris: PCA/Evans Cycles RT
5.) Dean Shannon: Heron Cyclesport