Birkenhead Park Summer Circuit Races

If you listen enough to the more experienced racers (read into that OLD) the Birkenhead Park races were a regular and popular series of races back in the day. Birkenhead North End Cycle Club have put a lot of effort into reviving the circuit to bring racing back into the town centre.

There was a great showing of local talent and support from local clubs despite the fact that the weather very wet and very wild. I was in the first group to start with the E/1/2's along with Sean Hughes (Team Wallis) and this was to be my first race in this quality of field. So with a 3 minute deficit this group was always going to be fast. However the group seemed to be at odds with each other and our chase was punctuated with continuous attacks, which for me were extremely sapping. So when we eventually began to catch the rear of the 3/4 group I was relived. A crash had happened in the 3/4 group as we chased and Paul Davies was caught up in ensuing fall-out, getting a nice cut on his nose, but fortunately his bike was okay.

E12 group plus Sean's tongue

Davies hands out the advice to 3/4 group

The 3/4 group contained some real talent, riders who normally don't really bother with BC events and therefore are 3rd Cats despite their ability...Keith Jones, John Hughes, Andy Bennett, Duff Fawcett to name but a few.

As we caught this group there was the news that 2 riders had gone off the front and that there was no chance in catching them, but this didn't stop the pace lifting to level where I just couldn't hang in anymore and with 3 laps to go my legs couldn't sustain the speed and I agonosingly drifted out the back and was popped out. The damage was being dished out by the Elite's and 1st Cat's and the causlties mounted.

THAT IS HOW IT IS DONE

In a display of strength Keith Jones out did his break away partner from BNECC Mike Garner and took an excellent victory in tough conditions.

I can't really speak for the 3/4 groups ride containing Tim Brammeier, Dean Bennett, John Hughes, Paul Davies and Ian Kendall, but it sounds like they did there fair share of work and attempted to break away but with no success.

SHUT UP LEGS... SHUT UP LEGS

A 'thank god that's all over' punch in the air

 

YOGI & DUFF A pair of Century legends

Tim salutes the crowd

Results care of Velo UK
http://www.velouk.net/2011/07/17/results-birkenhead-park-summer-circuit-races/

Result
1. Keith Jones, Deeside Olympic 1:38:48
2. Mike Garner, Birkenhead North End @ 5
3. David McGowan Team UK Youth @16
4. Andy Tinsley MaxGear
5. Paul Bethell Team Elite
6. Jack Penrice Scienceinsport.com
7. Chris Sherriffs Team Bglobal
8. Milan Sihelsky Kuota-GSG-Spinergy
9. Graeme Goulding Kuota-GSG-Spinergy
10. Nick Shaughnessy Scienceinsport.com
11. Alistair Rutherford Scienceinsport.com
12. Jon Eddells Birkenhead North End
13. Matt Limacher MaxGear
14. Steve Molyneux Birkenhead North End
15. Matt Walmsley Birkenhead North End
16. Brad Smith Birkenhead North End
17. Mike Ashurst BC PM
18. Dean Bennett Liverpool Century
19. John Hughes Liverpool Century @ 22
20. Andy Bennett Omimpex Bioracer @26
21. Chris Diggle Kuota-GSG-Spinergy
22. Simon Deeley Southport CC @26
23. Mark Donnelly Birkenhead North End @ 30
24. Tim Brammeier Liverpool Century @52
25. Ron Plumbley Liverpool Mercury
26. Mike Fugaccia Liverpool Century @ 01:15
27. Ian Kendall Liverpool Century
28. Duff Fawcett GB Fire Service RT @1:15
2nd Cat: Paul Bethell Team Elite
3rd Cat: Keith Jones Deeside Olympic
4th Cat: Steve Molyneux Birkenhead North End
Junior: Jack Penrice Scienceinsport.com
Master: Keith Jones Deeside Olympic