48 riders contested the 4th NCRA Handicap Race held on the 1.7 mile Rockingham Speedway National circuit. A strong showing from Rockingham Forest Wheelers resident racers; Brian Mosnak, Peter Kucak, Vic Davies, Chris Fowler, Pete Bradshaw and Daniel Leverton ensured the team had riders distributed among the CAT 3 and 4 groupings.

Dry, calm conditions proved for a fast event split by 5 handicapped intervals making it a hard effort for the chasing groups. With 5 laps to go the race, bow in two groups, remained split by 46 seconds. One final push in lap 3 equalised the race, a number of attacks from WCRT riders elongated the bunch before an eventual breakaway of the two riders taking a 1-2 victory.

All Rocko’s finished in the bunch with the highest placings coming from Pete Bradshaw (11th) and Daniel Leverton (13th) in the fastest event this season averaging 27.1mph.

Pete Bradshaw was the lone RFW rider at the Banbury Star 3/4 road race held over 45 miles with 3 assents of torturous Edge hill.  The main group split on the first assent of Edge hill, with most of the chasing pack getting back on before the next lap.  More riders were lost of the 2nd lap, but this time allowing a small breakaway to form.  The pace remained high with 3 riders away, and a bunch of around 25 riders, of the 60+ starters a short distance behind. All but one of the breakaway were caught with meters to go, but Daniel Alanine managed to stay away to take the win. Pete rolled in with the main bunch.

Rain and wind made for tricky conditions at Rockingham Speedway this week for the 31 riders starting  2/3 scratch race, including 4 from RFW, Paul Beattie, Pete Bradshaw, Daniel Leverton and Brian Mosnak, The slippery surface took a small number of riders out early in the race, shortly followed by a winning break of 7 riders getting away. Paul Beattie managed to ride solo for a lap to bridge the gap to be break but the fierce pace after his big effort bridging proved too high and he dropped back to the bunch.  Pete and Brian decided to pull out of as the conditions worsened. After the 7th breakaway rider also crashed, the bunch made a nervous sprint for 7th. Daniel Leverton took 2nd place in the sprint coming 8th overall,  with Paul a few places behind.

Pete Bradshaw was the loan rocko rider in the first of the mid-week ØVB road races on the Lime Kiln course near Cropwell Bishop. The course is a short and fast 3 miles lap taking in some of the local narrow country lanes. Despite the torrential rain and poor conditions the pace was fast, averaging 26.5mph. There were attacks all through the race but all came back together near the end for a bunch sprint.  Pete finished just outside the top 10.

Congratulations to Paul Beattie for winning his first road race at Milton Keynes Bowl today, contesting the 20 mile 4th cat scratch race held by the RAF Cycling Association. The 10 points awarded for the win promotes Paul to the long awaited 3rd cat license.

Only two Rocko were able to race the first 2/3/4 NCRA 68mile Scratch Road Race of the season at Southwick, due to the injuries to other team members.  Daniel Leverton and Paul Beattie flying the colours.  After a neutralised start up the 1st of 11 climbs up Southwick Hill to the water tower the race started to take shape with an early break.  Paul and Daniel deciding to ride sensibly and stay with the main bunch.  After a tough first 7 laps, with a couple of pacy ascents to Water Tower thrown in, the main bunch was working well to close in on the breakaway.  Unfortunately for the bunch, we encountered a jittery horse coming the opposite way after the junction to head back towards Southwick, where a few riders took advantage of the hold up to launch an attack taking with them the first half of the bunch.  With us now split in half and time lost, the remainder of the bunch worked in vain to close the gap but never got it back.  A frustrating race, though at least we got to race in the sun instead of hail and snow.

Good conditions greeted the riders contesting the 2.7m time trial on the Saturday morning, with each rider having to complete the fast flat course on their standard road bike. The slight tail wind made for some fast times with Peter Nicholls of Team PB Performance taking the win in a staggering 5:33, 7 seconds clear of 2nd place.

RFW members:
Pete Bradshaw - 5:58 - 23rd
Paul Beattie - 6:02 - 34th
Ben Spiers - 6:12 - 54th
Daniel Leverton - 6:16 - 58th

Stage 2 took place over 6 laps of the 'Devils Circuit' incorporating the so called 'Devils Staircase' climb out of Great Easton where KOM points were available.  Due to road works, the first lap was steady with large sections neutralised and cold torrential rain catching many riders out expecting summer conditions. Luckily conditions improved and the race unfolded with attacking rides by many clubs all trying to make a breakaway stick. 3 riders eventually got away staying clear for around 2 laps before being caught at the bottom of the climb.  As the peleton took a sigh of relief, a new breakaway saw the opportunity to go over the top of the climb and quickly built a gap of 1min. They held this for the rest of the race and Luke Souter went on to take the victory 11 seconds clear of 2nd place James Bryan.  Robert Ward completed the top 3, still 20 seconds ahead of the main bunch.
RFW members (Position end of stage 2):
Pete Bradshaw - 21st
Paul Beattie - 31st
Daniel Leverton - 62nd
Ben Spiers - DNF

An eventful saw the riders test their tired legs around 6 laps of the rolling Valley course.  The course ascends the short sharp Bringhurst hill where the KOM competition would be decided.  The previous day's efforts didn't seem to slow the pace down at all with attacks from the start and average speeds of around 25mph. Unfortunately with a break of 3 riders away, a touch of wheels at the front of the bunch saw a large crash taking down the Yellow Jersey rider and many others.  With uncertainty among the surviving riders and others strung out trying to chase back on the breakaway extended their lead. No more than 4 miles later a 2nd crash took another 5 riders out of contention including 3rd place Robert Ward., and a few more on the next lap. The race was now quite fragmented, with the top 8 places being taken from riders away from the bunch.  Andrew Critchlow went on to win the stage with an impressive final surge to ride away solo. Chris Limberger took 2nd, and James Bryan come in 3rd.

RFW members (Position Overall):
Paul Beattie - 16th
Pete Bradshaw - DNF
Daniel Leverton - DNF
Ben Spiers - DNF

Tonight saw the first of the NCRA Rockingham Speedway series,  a mixture of various weekly crit races catering for all categories throughout the summer. This week there was a E/1/2 scratch, and a separate 3/4 scratch race,  both running over 1 hour, plus 3 laps. Three club members, Chris Fowler, Daniel Leverton and Branislav Mosnak contested the 3/4 race,  a welcome return for Branislav back to the racing scene following a year out.

The 1km lap is fast and furious, with one short rise up to the finish line.  Averaging around 26mph the riders fought hard for the 10 places up for grabs avoiding 2 crashes along the way. Daniel got into the points taking 10th place in the bunch sprint, while Chris and Brian avoided the crash  to finish in the bunch. Well done to all.