Kev misses out on podium place after two punctures

Kev Chant and James Veal, of the WL-WM Cycle Race Team, competed in the Sandisons 2-Day Stage 2/3 Cat Race in Dorset, which comprised of a one-mile hill climb, a 10-mile time trial on the Saturday, and a 55-mile road race on Sunday.

On the first stage Kev put in a solid performance, taking second place. James came home leaving himself a bit of work to do in the time trial and road race. Unfortunately, Kev suffered a rear wheel puncture after only two miles of the time trial but managed to power on for the remaining eight miles to get to the finish line. Despite this, he remained on course for at least a podium place, sitting in third place before the road race. James finished at 20th place after the time trial

The road race on Sunday was the most challenging stage; a circuit with two very sharp corners, one of them at the base of a long fast descent which turned straight into a steep climb on each lap.

Kev said: “I was feeling good going into the race, but that second turn almost brought you to a halt before having to accelerate up the climb; after two or three laps those accelerations pretty much halved the field and three riders attacked early on and stayed away to the finish.

“Unfortunately, by lap eight James was suffering from cramp and had to pull out; at the same time I had another puncture. Luckily, I’d saved enough in the tank to pass most of the remaining bunch on the last climb up to the finish line to nab sixth place.”

James finished the race mid-table.