Cycling team rub shoulders with best in city-centre races
The festival features the first of the major local city centre races on the cycling calendar, and is always a top event.
But this year, added interest was provided by the appearance of Team Wiggins, run by former Olympic hero Bradley Wiggins, and one the UK’s finest riders, Tom Pidcock.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOther leading teams were also there, so it was quite a handful for the Andy Moore Autocentres/J.E.James Racing Team to cope with in the elite race. Manager Andy Moore likened the challenge to “building a car in the garage and taking on Lewis Hamilton in Formula One”!
However, the Moore boys performed remarkably well, with Dean Watson (pictured, inset) somehow getting among the placings in that elite race, newcomer Freddie Bingham putting in a superb display, as if he’d been doing it for years, and Steve Paterson and Jono Dexter working well together, with the former producing a storming to ride to finish fourth and gain promotion to Category Two level.
Even veteran Andy Bishop did an awesome job, even though he had to ride through the pain barrier with a back injury. The day before the race, he couldn’t even sit up properly!
Sunday’s weather produced an afternoon scorcher, matched equally by a blistering contest of racing in each of the Moore squad’s three races.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBingham was the first to sample the challenging Doncaster street circuit, making the event his first ever City Centre Criterium, and with the eyes of several thousand spectators upon him, the rock-star-turned-racer produced a solid, accomplished display of riding that disguised a lack of race experience. The Natterjacks front man rode home to a creditable bunch finish, having once more been thrown in at the deep end.
In the second of the day’s races, in-form Paterson joined forces with Dexter, and the pairing produced yet another quality performance to bring Paterson an excellent fourth place spot, demonstrating his consistency. More importantly, the result secured promotion for the rising star.
The grand finale of the day was the elite level event, and with a field of top-level opposition, the trio of Aaron Chambers-Smith, Andy Bishop and Dean Watson were faced with a David-versus-Goliath contest, such was the quality of the peloton.
In the early stages of the race, fierce attacks from the leading contenders created an early breakaway group containing some of the best in the business, and
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWatson found himself in the main peloton with the break vanishing fast up the road.
A determined effort from the Staveley team rider produced the highlight of the race, with Watson making his way back to the front group. With the attack group now comprising 11 riders, the advantage quickly gained ground, and the chasing peloton had no success in closing the gap.
Despite the lofty competition, Watson looked comfortable throughout, and as the final attacks came with one lap to go, the Moore rider battled hard to come home in a superb ninth place.
Manager Moore expressed his pride at the team’s efforts, saying: “Once again, the lads have shown that determination and spirit which drive us on to achieve the very best performances. Freddie rode well, and you’d never know he’s raced only a couple of times. He showed outstanding composure.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Patto had great support from Jono, and to finish fourth and secure promotion so early in the season is a fine reward for his efforts.
“Deano rode his heart out, and with Bish and Smiffy supporting, he rode one of the best races you’ll ever see. Riding against this level of competition and finishing ninth is a great achievement.
“Bish suffered a nasty back injury just the day before and was very doubtful for Doncaster. But he just got on the bike and did the job for his teammates, despite
the discomfort. That sums up the spirit these lads have.”