OKEHAMPTON Cycle Club's annual Hatherleigh Road Race took place last Sunday in dry conditions.
Starting at Folly Gate, the 103k race consisted of an eight-lap circuit taking in Launceston, Jacobstowe and Bassett's Cross before finishing at Folly Gate.
Forty-one riders had entered the race and with a couple of exceptions there was a high number of finishers. The absence of rain kept the number of punctures to one and an unshipped chain foreshortened Adrian Sluman's race (Team Training FX).
Once out of the neutralised zone there looked to be many attacks. A seven-man break evolved containing Ben Luckwell (FS Maestro), and Mike Kiss (Sommer Valley CC). At that time the break looked quite likely to succeed.
The long straight sections of the course forced those with ability to ride hard because any short time gaps would be in sight of the chasers. Then the race closed up when Team Training FX took up the chase.
From the halfway point the bunch saw several attempts by individual riders to make a break. Adam Ryder (Camel Valley C and CT) made the only move which stuck. With about two laps to go he took to the front and led the rest by over a minute.
The main bunch were playing a tactical game and any reserved energy would be needed for the finish hill. At 1.5 miles long, the drag up to Folly Gate would 'sort out' the field.
At the finish Alan Ryder's lead was reduced to 28 seconds by second place Mike Kiss (Sommer Valley CC). Last year's winner Richard Cartland (Cycleweb.co uk) had to be content with third place. Very soon other groups of competitors made it to the line.
Okehampton's Phil Sage had a good ride and finished in the second half of the field, to be followed by some tired tail-enders. After the race, most riders said they enjoyed racing on a good circuit.
Thanks were expressed to all who helped, for their time spent marshalling and for the donations of home-made cakes, eagerly consumed with hot tea at the end of the race.