SOMERSET Road Club hosted a premier road race in the cycle race calendar on Sunday, in memory of club stalwart and outstanding racer Pete Sandy.

Sandy, who claimed top six finishes in almost 100 races between 1977 and 1987, passed away at the age of 87, on June 13, 2017.

The National B race attracted nearly 60 riders on Sunday, including some of the UK’s best riders from notable teams. 

Local clubs were represented well and they competed bravely in a brutally hard race on roads around Uffculme.

The racers faced 10 tough ascents of White Ball Hill, on the A38 on the Nicholashayne circuit, at high pace covering over 70 miles.

Starting from the Race HQ in Uffculme, the pace started hard and never eased up, splitting riders into groups.

As expected, the elite riders made their way to the front and a blistering early attack by eventual winner Michael Mottram (Morvelo Basso RT) was later covered by a small pursuing bunch of nationally-renowned riders.

Mottram, although caught prior to the finish by three riders, was strong enough to break for the line and win the first edition of this exciting road race.

Finishing as best third category rider was SRC’s Dan Wellings who continues to impress in road racing for the club.

Speaking about the race, organiser Clive Franklin said: “We were honoured that we could hold the race and that Pete’s brother Brian could be present to observe the race and present the coveted Pete Sandy Memorial Trophy.

“The club owes so much to Pete and his outstanding contribution he made to so many riders. 

“He was always willing to help and offer support. He would have loved the level of racing on show on roads that he would have ridden many times. 

“I am hugely thankful to everybody that helped make the event happen throughout the club and also to the local residents on the route who were very supportive to the riders.”

Results
1. Michael Mottram (Morvelo Basso RT)
2. Jake Alderman (Saint Piran)
3. Alexandar Richardson
4. Maximilian Stedman (Canyon Eisberg)
5. Alex Fanshawe (Saint Piran)
6. William Harper (Saint Piran)
7. Luke Barfoot (Tri UK)
8. William Bjergfelt (Team Tor 2000 KALAS)
9. Tom Nancarrow (Latchem Sunwise Race Team)
10. George Smith (Tri UK)
11. Michael Ford (Latchem Sunwise Race Team)
12. Morgan Curle (Giant Cycling Club - Halo Films)
13. Harry Askew (Kilkenny CC)
14. Joe Harris (ZeroBC)
15. Adam Toole (VCEquipe/FlixOralHygiene/Propulse)
16. Andrew Kirby (VC St Raphael)
17. Ashley Hutchison (VC St Raphael)
18. Oliver Blagden (BCR Racing)
19. Sol Warwick (Penzance Wheelers)
20. Sean Frost (Tri UK)
21. Ben Millar (Bike City)
22. Thomas Bowering (Steele Davis Via Roma RT)
23. Robert Telford (University of Sheffield CC)
24. David D Kovacs (Team KTM UK)
25. Ben Lockett (Tri UK)
26. Daniel Wellings (Somerset Road Club)
1st Junior - Morgan Curle (Giant Cycling Club - Halo Films)
1st Cat 3 - Daniel Wellings (Somerset Road Club)