Another strong set of results for RFW this week at round 2 of the NCRA spring Handicap series which we hosted around 3 laps of the 10mile valley course. Unfortunately we were one man down this as Paul Beattie was called into work last minute, but still had 4 riders representing the club, new member Austin Smith, Chris Fowler, Ben Spiers and Stephen Wade. The race got underway with 5 handicapped groups most starting 2:30 behind the next with the exception of groups 4 and 5 being much closer. Group 4 with only 4 riders quickly became part of the scratch group and worked to close the gap to the front of the race. Unfortunately for Stephen, they finished around 1 minute down on the winners. Group 3 with Chris and Ben caught group 2 on the second lap but still had 2 minutes to gain on the leader with 10 miles to go. The now larger group worked well together swallowing up group one at the 1km to go sign.  The right hand bend and gradual drag to the finish line always delivers a close sprint and today was no exception. The race was won by Peter Brooks of 45 Road Club. Ben and Chris produced a strong sprint to take 3rd and 5th, with Austin finishing in 10th. 

Veteran RFW rider Peter Nix kicked off his 2017 race season this Sunday at the Baines Racing LVRC round on the tough 42 mile Towcester course. The riders had to contend with changeable conditions throughout the race including rain and cold winds typical of a early March road race which produced some great racing.  Nix, an E-group rider (60-64 age category) rode a strong race to finish 3rd in his age group and 11th overall in the DE race which was dominated by two 1-man breakaways.