Gunther Zechmann takes East London Velo Series victory

Victory in the final round for Gunther Zechmann gave the London Phoenix rider the overall series win by a narrow margin after a thrilling six races in the East London Velo Series at the Hog Hill circuit at Redbridge, Essex, on Saturday.

Just two points separated Zechmann from his rival Edmond Bradbury (Cambridge University CC) heading into the final round with Bradbury having won three rounds and Zechmann two.

Bradbury had given early warning of his intentions when he chased down a break by Strada Sport’s Lewis Stevens. But a surprise prime proved the catalyst as Zechmann sprang into life with a pace which split the bunch and formed a lead group of eight which established a 30-second lead.

Wind and rain contributed to the leaders splitting up, and it just left Zechmann and Bradbury to fight it out, with Zechmann doing enough for the win with Bradbury second.

Elsewhere, Simon Brooks (VC St Raphael) was crowned the winner of round 12 of the Apres Hot Recovery Drink Winter League, with Matt Hull (SFA Racing) and Liam Walsh (VC St Raphael) taking second and third respectively.

Brooks had initiated an early break alongside team-mate Walsh and Hull, but he launched off the front to take a solo win.

Justin Hoy (Felt-Colbornes-Hargroves) took the win in the opening round of the Mountbatten Circuit Races in Portsmouth on Sunday, ahead of Pedal Heaven’s Mitchell Webber, while Richard Phillips-Schofield (Peter Hansford Racing) took third.

Scottish rider Ryan Fenwick (The Racers) won the elite race in the third round of the Velo29 Winter Series at the Croft motor racing circuit in North Yorkshire on Saturday.

He held off Ben Hetherington (Achieve Skinnergate), while Tim Allen (Arrow Cycles) was third. Meanwhile, 35-year-old David Thomas (Cyclesense) won the fourth cat race.

And in the Surrey League, Rory Townsend (Pedal Heaven) won the 2/3 race at Longcross, the junior rider holding off veteran Richard Unwin (VC Meudon0 for the win, with Alex Tinsley (Twickenham CC) third.

Visitors to the London Bike Show were treated to thrilling criterium racing on a small circuit at the Excel Centre in the Docklands area, and the E12 race was won by Chris Dredge (Spirit Bikes), who held off fellow breakaway rider Phil Dempsey (Aprire Bikes).

Report by Snowdon Sports

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