Cycle racing continued at Hillingdon over the Christmas and New Year holidays despite cold winds and freezing temperatures, writes Duncan Smith.
The 32 mile elite race winners were: Boxing Day: Chris Moors (Norwood Paragon) from a 35-strong field; December 27: Joe Skelton; New Year's Day: Josh Papworth (Wyre Forest CC), a 13-year-old training at the National Academy who beat 41 other riders; January 3: Toby Meadows (Team Corridori), a talented junior rider winning from a mid-race break and 50 other competitors.
In the overall series competition Jerone Walters (Sigma Sport) retained his lead with 910 points and is now 100 ahead of Norwood Paragon's Chris Moors.
In third spot was Paul Alderson (South Western RC) with 650 points, chased by Team Quest's Ed Summerwell, fourth on 400 points.
Local Team Quest riders in action over the holiday period were Martin Dawkins, a 16-year-old ex-Slipstreamer competing in his first senior season, and veteran Bill Butterworth. He, along with Summer-well, Michael Hill and Matt Carden joined a three man mid-race break on Saturday but were chased down and caught with 12 miles to go.
Kenton Road Club's Des Gayler failed to start on Boxing Day but was active in three other races. Joining the first attacks on each occasion he finished well up in the main field throughout.
