Scant reward at Dunton.

On Thursday 15th May, Martin Bryant, Ian Franklin and James Whatling lined up for the first of Team Economic Energy's evening series at Ford's Dunton test track. The sunshine of the weekend at the Lincoln GP seemed a million miles away on one of the wettest evenings in a long time, and the field of 35 were soaked to the skin within a couple of laps.

The weather didn't dampen the ferocity of the opening laps though, with the PCA-Ciclos Uno-Isaac Racing Team and the other stronger riders driving the race to try and split things up. James was in an attacking mood and was well backed up by Ian and Martin on the counter attack, but the bunch were in an especially negative mood and always worked to pull back any moves.

With only about six riders prepared to make a race of it, it looked as though no one would escape, until James managed to get away with what was a strong five man group, including the hard riding Andy Lyons (Heron Cyclesport), Alistair Tullett (Arctic/Premier) and Graham Galvin (Team Economic Energy). With the break working well together for a few laps and Ian Franklin doing his best to police the bunch behind, it looked as though the grip of the peloton had been broken but, when Andy Lyons dropped back to pull team mate Adam Norris up to the break, the momentum was lost and the bunch made contact again. Whilst the break were away, Martin suffered a mishap, falling on the climb, and decided to call it a night.

The bunch had let a move escape once and weren't prepared to let that happen again, so when the bell sounded for the final lap and the field were still together, a bunch sprint was inevitable. Inevitable maybe, but Andy Lyons wasn't going to be part of it so he took his chance and slipped away just before the bell. The bunch stopped chasing, happy to sprint for second place.

Andy took a much deserved win as he was always at the sharp end of the race and clearly the strongest on the night. James attacked hard to try and pull clear over the last kilometre but the bunch were glued to his wheel and a bunch sprint ensued, with Adam Norris completing a Heron Cyclesport 1-2. Ian sprinted well to take sixth and James rolled in with nothing to show for his hard work on the night.

Results:

1.) Andy Lyons: Heron Cyclesport
2.) Adam Norris: Heron Cyclesport
3.) Glenn Smith: Maldon & District CC
4.) Matthew Carden: Team Quest
5.) Ed Graefe: Team Economic Energy
6.) Ian Franklin: PCA Ciclos Uno