TAVISTOCK Wheelers enjoyed the Springtime Pursuit Race at Exeter last Saturday.

More than 100 riders took part in the first in a series of three races alongside Exeter Airport.

Six riders from the Wheelers took part and for five of them it was their first attempt at a category four race as organised by British Cycling.

Josh Bullock was given a five minute handicap but Tim Mitchell, Dan Strong, Phil Collings and Lee Adams all started in the main group.

Will Johnson, as a junior, was given a one minute start.

The race involved five laps of a fast course on the old A30 followed by a demanding uphill climb to the finish; a total of 40 miles were covered.

All of the Tavistock riders finished in the first 20 places with Phil Collings leading the way in fifth.

Josh Bullock averaged over 26mph on the course and was pleased with the way that the club riders had ridden together in the later stages.

This was a superb achievement for all the Tavistock Wheelers and helps to raise the status of the club in Devon and beyond. Some of the competitors had come from as far afield as Cardiff and Bath.

Fuller details and more pictures are available on the clubs website (http://www.tavywheelers.co.uk">www.tavywheelers.co.uk