Two riders from Jersey’s Caesarean Cycling Club – Adam Wojtkiewicz and Robin Ovenden took part in the Les Ingman Memorial Road Race on 27 April. This 130km National B event was held on the Bletchingly circuit which is reputedly one of the hardest road race circuits in Surrey.

Great weather and close a proximity to Gatwick made for a great start to what was sure to be a long and tough event. From the gun the pace was high with 80 mixed elite, category 1, 2 and 3 riders all trying to keep close the front of the bunch for the first of the big climbs. Within 2 laps of the 16km circuit the field had already thinned considerably, with attacks and counter-attacks coming thick and fast. Both riders used their climbing ability and good early season form to keep close to the front of the main bunch. Both were involved in early break-aways, but none of which were ultimately successful.

On lap 5 Robin Ovenden was again to fall foul of the ever present pot-holes, managing to crack his carbon front wheel, but not badly enough to end his race.

By lap 6 of the total 8, a break of 9 riders had escaped and hovered some 60 seconds ahead of the chasing bunch. With some canny race tactics from the host club, the Norwood Paragon Cycling Club, the pace slowed temporarily as others teams tried to organise the chase.

Both riders took turns on the front to help close the gap but by the last lap it was clear that it was going to be a split finish, with the top 8 places going to the break-away group. On the final climb, Robin Ovenden broke from the main chasing bunch of 35 riders and opened a sizeable gap by the top of the hill, but with some 900 metres of flat road still to the finish line, a handful of riders including teammate Adam Wojtkiewicz, managed to bridge the gap and overpower him with just meteres to go.

The final results for the event was Adam Wojtkiewicz in 12th (3th in bunch sprint) and Robin Ovenden in 15th (6th in the bunch sprint). Both riders would like to thank the Caesarean Cycling Club for their continued support in the pursuit of qualification for the Commonwealth Games 2010.