Cycling: East Lancs RC

Ben Trippier and Ollie Huszar in early breakaway in West Pennine Road Race

The West Pennine Road Club annual road race on Sunday included four members from the East Lancs RC, Oliver Huszar, Paul Ashworth, Alex Wiseman and Ben Trippier.

The race was held in glorious conditions on the short course at Bashall Eaves near Clitheroe. At just under four miles per lap, the riders raced for 14 laps to cover a distance of 55 miles and the favourable weather conditions resulted in a fast race. Any slip up in holding position in the bunch saw riders slipping out the back and out of the race.

Making an audacious early break Ollie Huszar and Ben Trippier made a dash straight from the start and generated a small gap which they held for two laps but the bunch were in no mood to give up that early on in the race and the duo were reined in.

Nothing more happened for a few laps and then at approximately half distance two riders made their break from the bunch. They worked well together and steadily increased the lead right through to the finish.

Ed Hopper, riding for Maxxis 4 RT, outsprinted his partner to win the race for a great win and the rest of the bunch contested the lower placings two minutes in arrears with the East Lancs riders placed in the mid teens.

The rest of the Club took part in the 100 mile Reliability Ride and a big turnout was assured due to the kind weather. All of the riders completed the prescribed route over Blackburn Moor to Longridge, up the Ribble Valley and back around Burnley within the eight hour time limit to gain their valuable points in the season long BAR competition.