Six members of North Devon Wheelers cycle club raced in the second round of Mid Devon CC Springtime Pursuit races last Saturday. Weather conditions were still windy, but not as bad as the previous weekend, when race warning signs were on the verge of being ripped from the ground by the gale force winds. Of the six riders entered it was again Steve Sage who faired best in the 55km race. After holding on to the pace set by his companions in the last of the five groups to start, he was able to find some energy left in his legs for one final effort up the 800m hill to the finish line where he finished just outside the top ten in thirteenth place. Adrian Street was the second Wheeler to finish in eighteenth place and he was closely followed over the line by Phil Sage. Both these riders were a lot happier with this race than the previous week?s event, when the weather conditions took their toll on both of them. The three other club members riding were all in the junior category and although they were all dropped from the bunch in the last few kilometres by the fast pace being set by riders looking to form a winning move, the fact that they all had the will and ability to finish the race can only bode well for the future of the club. On the following day three Wheelers were in action at Exeter Wheelers? time trial at Ide. For Mark Lees it was his first competitive outing of the season but he started as he finished last year as the fastest Wheeler. His time for the 15mile course was 39:41 which was good enough to earn him fifth place. Steve Sage was the second Wheeler to finish but having raced the day before, was using the event mainly as training and to test out his new time trial position. Unfortunately he was still feeling the effects of the previous day?s exertions and was disappointed to only finish in eighth place with a time of 41:52. It was also Ray Retter?s first race of the year and his first win in the over 50?s category. His time of 43:16 was good enough to beat many younger riders and showed that he has lost none of his speed over the winter break. This weekend the Wheelers will again be in action in the final round of the Springtime Pursuits on Saturday and on Sunday they will cross the border into Cornwall for a time trial at Wadebridge.
