Longtime Ilkley CC member Cam Blake races for the Prologue Racing Team and after many good placings in races over the last few years he has just had a week to remember with not one, but two race wins, a rare feat at all levels of bike racing. First Cam won the support race at the Colne GP after an attacking performance for the whole race. He followed this up with a win at the Tumby’s road race at Braithwell.
Last weekend saw the National 24 hour time trial championships take place on the tough roads of Shropshire close to the Welsh border. Ilkley CC’s long distance specialist, Doug Hart, came a magnificent 8th overall with 499.6 miles in the twenty four hours, tantalisingly close to the magic 500mile figure which has only been achieved on a handful of occasions in the history of the event. Team mate Mike Firth was in attendance to hand up food and drink to Doug for the whole twenty four hours, whilst also finding time to keep interested club members up to date with the event via Facebook.
Ilkley youths raced at Barnsley Town Centre races with Ben Houlihan taking a fine, combative, 5th place, followed up by Seb Cliffe in 22nd.
The penultimate round of the Yorkshire Summer Cross series was held at Huddersfield on the excellent King James School grounds, which serves up all elements that make a great cross race, factor in a short sharp deluge half an hour before race start and the amassed competitors became a wheel swapping, tyre pressure checking nervous collective. The sprint off the start line was as fast as ever with the doubtful grip on the first hairpin playing on everyone’s mind, through the first few corners the field was soon lined out and thereafter ensued a flowing, technical 45 minutes of racing and decision making. Perfect Summer Cross racing. Leading the way for ICC and confirming his fine vein of form this season, Arthur Wilson 14th, Tim Bull 27th, Jason Bishop 32nd, John McManus 46th, Liam Rees 58th.
Pics: Cam Blake on the podium at Colne and crossing the line victorious at Braithwell. Doug Hart sets of on his near 500 mile effort in twenty four hours.
