Lowestoft fireman Seb goes it alone for CC London victory

Polly Mason (centre) sprints to 10th place in the women’s race at the Eastern League Road Races at Wenden’s Ambo.Picture: Fergus Muir (Image: Archant)

The Lowestoft fireman topped the tough final climb alone and won by 55 seconds from Gary Munro of CC Sudbury.

Herrod had bridged across to a leading break of one VC Norwich member and two from PCH. He paired up with Daniel Young (PCH) to increase the lead and eventually struck out alone.

The afternoon race for women attracted a full field of 60 and featured a hard-won 10th place for Norwich rider Polly Mason (Strada Sport).

The race was blown apart by 12-hour competition record holder Alice Lethbridge (Drag2Zero) who finished over three minutes clear of second-placed Ruth Summerford and eight minutes ahead of the shattered remains of the bunch.

It looked like spring but felt like winter – the men at Wenden’s Amb. Picture: Fergus Muir (Image: Archant)

Tom Fitzpatrick from Kenninghall and Morris Bacon (DAP CC) were in the six-man break that dominated the St Ives CC Road Race.

Winner Arlan Vartazarian struck out alone with 30 miles remaining of the wet 80-mile event.

With ranking points awarded down to 20th place, there were good points hauls for local riders Fitzpatrick (sixth), Bacon (ninth) and Mark Richards (DAP CC) who took 20 points for his 11th place.

The current potholed state of the course has sadly led to the cancellation of the 2018 edition of the North Norfolk Wheelers 100-mile time trial which was due to be held on May 19.

Norwich rider Polly Mason (right) at Wenden’s Ambo. Picture: Fergus Muir (Image: Archant)

This event, which attracts an outstanding entry from triathletes as well as time-trial riders, is a sad loss.

The Veterans' TTA 25-mile time trial near Newmarket saw a 51:42 ride from Dave Green (CC Breckland) while Becky Murley (Wisbech Wheelers) returned 56:46.

Always exciting to watch are the round-the-houses races in Ixworth village centre are on the afternoon of Bank Holiday Monday, May 7. Ixworth is just off the A143 Diss to Bury St Edmunds road.

Looking ahead to Sunday, May 13, the Beccles Cycle for Life-sponsored charity ride offers routes from eight miles up to 50 miles, all in the lovely country around the Waveney Valley town. Details are at www.becclescycleforlife.org.

The bunch stung out on Littlebury Hill at the Eastern League Road Races at Wenden’s Ambo. Picture: Fergus Muir (Image: Archant)

The men’s field at Wenden’s Ambo. Picture: Fergus Muir (Image: Archant)