THE Southborough & District Wheelers (SDW) were well represented in the South East Road Race League category 2/3 men’s race at the Crowhurst circuit.
The team were competing against 60 other riders, covering 85km over eight laps of the challenging course.
It was the first team outing for the club’s participants in the Tour of Sussex stage race, which takes place in July.
Potholes caused numerous issues for all riders following the freezing weather, though over the first 40 miles the SDW riders remained well protected within the peloton.
However, Torin Henderson, one of the club’s promising junior riders, succumbed to a pot hole causing him to abandon his first race at this level.
Rory Barrett, Keith Henderson and another junior rider, Cameron Preece, sat tight whilst others attacked and were brought back into the bunch.
With two laps to go Henderson and Barrett launched an ambitious attack but Team Project 51 were quick to nullify their break.
Eventually it was Hoops Velo rider James Boyman who rode away on the final lap to take the overall win.
Barrett came sixth, with Henderson staying tight on his wheel for seventh place in the final bunch sprint to the chequered flag.
Preece finished in a very respectable 33rd place in the two-hour race that recorded average speeds of 26mph.
More information about club rides and road racing can be found at www.southborough-wheelers.co.uk
