The fourth in the series is the hilly one. Usually a shortage of entries but 41 riders signed on for this one. In group one, off at 7.o’clock, were Glenn Whitehouse,

Mark Ollerenshaw, Paul Cutsforth, Terry Parker, Michael Chorlton, Mark Walker, Darren Sheard, James Wagstaff, Greystone Small, Chris Brearley, John Hakener, Colin Sinclair, Simon Wright, Phil Eden,, Tony Boynton and Derek Palmer.

Only five riders started in group two, setting off after five minutes, who were Steve Macklin, Lewis Jackson, Paul Purdy, Steve Wakefield and Martin Cockerill.

Two and a half minutes later Nathan Wilson, Steve Guymer, Andy Hayton, Steve Marrows, Jeremy Watton, Stuart Axcel, Matthew Fenton, Dave Shackleton and Dave Compston set off.

Finally the scratch group set off after another two and a half minutes comprising Chris Daddy, Richard Moore, Dave Coulson, Gareth Hewitt, James Sampson, Steve Ward, Kit Gilham, Erik Van Lakerveld, Charlie Evans, Julian Gromett and Ryan MacLachlan

It was a fine summery evening and Newbald hill was the challenging feature of the course, and as expected it exacted it’s toll on those not ready for it. At the en of the first lap Michael Chorlton, a new rider in the Hull Thursday colours, and Darren Sheard from the Leeds Racing Club had opened up a lead of over half a minute from the rest of group one.  Mark Walker led the chasing remainder of group one, eleven riders having lost Colin Sinclair, Chris Brearley and Phil Eden.

Group two were now down to three riders, Steve Macklin, Steve Wakefield and Martin Cockerell but these three knew how to work and stay together, Paul Purdy giving up after finding the hill too tough. He wasn’t on his own as Richard Moore came into the pits with a similar story – he said that the Dutch guy was going up the hill too fast for him. Richard, along with most of the elite riders had had a hard week, what with the Criterium in Beverley, the National Road race and many had ridden the Otley town centre criterium the night before. All the better for the lower groups to pick up some points today.

Lap two saw Michael Chorlton come through on his own a minute ahead of the group one peleton. Darren Sheard had unfortunately punctured and it seemed unlucky for Michael as he was bound to be caught on his own. The rest were still together led once more by Mark Walker, still with three and a quarter minutes in hand over groups two and three who had joined together. The scratch group had only pulled back three quarters of a minute and had unfortunately lost Dave Coulson with a puncture.

With a lap to go Michael Chorlton had increased his lead to two minutes. “Who is this guy?” I heard them asking in the bunch. The rest of group one still had a minute having shed Greystone Small and Terry Parker this last time up the hill. Stuart Axcel and Dave Compston were driving the next bunch through the bell lap and the scratch group had fallen back to two minutes pulled along by Charlie Evans and Kit Gilham. Ryan was struggling just off the back here; his legs had turned to jelly.

A tremendous ride by Michael Chorlton stretched his lead even futher to two and three quarter minutes. Mike is new to cycling, only starting this year but has kept himself fit running.

A sprint for second place, unusual on this course, was won by Nathan Wilson from Stu Axcel and Steve Guymer. Kit Gilham was the first back of the scratch group who’d pulled back a minute on this last lap. There were some tired legs and I’m sorry to see Erik Lakerveld disappear after this week, he’s contributed enormously to the successes of the scratch group and leaves still in third place overall in the points. Erik’s going back home to Holland and I know that some of you are quite relieved to hear it. Ali Kay still holds the lead in the points, but only by one point from Steve Guymer who moved up today with his third place.

Road Race League Event 4.  Newbald Circuit