LIVERPOOL CENTURY ROAD CLUB
FORMED 1916
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LIVERPOOL CENTURY ROAD CLUB FORMED 1916
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ROAD RACE REPORT's
SEPTEMBER 2008
More Century Riders competing in Road and Circuit Races toward the end of the season, with some very good performances. But the big news this month is Jamie Shirlaw His rides have been of a high quality since returning to the UK, but most notably this month, a brace of victories at Litherland and Preston Arena and a successful upgrade to 2nd Cat License. He leaves for Dubai shortly, but I suggested to him last night ( 26/08 ) at Salt Ayre that next year he should be aiming at a 1st Cat License
Salt Ayre League Event 16 ( BCF ) 29/07/2008
5th Jamie Shirlaw
Liverpool Century Circuit Race 1 (BCF) - Litherland - 30/07/2008
4th Jamie Shirlaw 6th Graeme McLeod 8th Mike Cliffe 12th Dean Smith
SIS Criterium League Event 17 Preston Arena 31/07/2008
10th Jamie Shirlaw
CDNW Event 11 Ulverston ( BCF ) 03/08/2008
Race Report
Myself and Graeme McLeod made the trip to Ulverston, on a bleak Sunday morning Thankfully the rain stayed off for the 48 Miles of racing. The Course is pretty tough, a rolling course with a few sharp ascents and a tricky run into the finish line. Graeme was pretty active early on, getting in what looked like it could be the break of the day, until it became swollen with around 12 riders and was considered too dangerous to let go. A new break of about five riders formed around lap 3, one of the riders Graeme Norman going solo from that group onto victory. In the bunch everything was pretty calm until the last lap. At the bottom of a sharp descent 3 riders jumped the bunch, and on reflection this is when I should have gone but instead I waited. Me and Graeme had a quick debate, and decided the race was probably over for us both. I agreed, but decided to make an attempt to get away. I was closed down three times, and was pretty frustrated. Just before the left turn onto the final climb, I was leading the bunch and Graeme said, Go on Mike, show em how its done I decided it was probably worth the effort and buried myself up the climb. Just about half way up, I took a glance round and only Graeme had my wheel the rest of the bunch had splintered further down the climb. Once onto a flatter section, Graeme took over and we aimed at a good finish. A few other riders managed to bridge the gap, and we were keen not to mess around coming into the sprint. I had very little left, but Graeme made a late charge, and got 9th place on the line. I came in 16th place with the same time, a little disappointed to finish outside the top ten, but it was a good finish and I learned not to leave it so late to make an attack ! - Mike Cliffe
Salt Ayre League Event 17( BCF ) 05/08//2008
7th Jamie Shirlaw -- Mike Cliffe ( Devestated to puncture with about 5 minutes to go ! )
Liverpool Century Circuit Race 2(BCF) - Litherland - 06/08/2008
1st Jamie Shirlaw 6th Graeme McLeod 7th Dave Christian 9th Mike Cliffe 12th Michael Fugaccia DSQ Dean Smith
Salt Ayre League Event 18( BCF ) 12/08/2008
4th Jamie Shirlaw Liverpool Century Circuit Race 3(BCF) - Litherland - 13/08/2008
5th Jamie Shirlaw 9th James Barnes 10th Michael Fugaccia 14th Dave Christian
SIS Criterium League Event 19 Preston Arena 14/08/2008
1st Jamie Shirlaw
Salt Ayre League Event 19( BCF ) 19/08/2008
6th Jamie Shirlaw
CDNW Event 12 Cockerham ( BCF ) 24/08/2008
E/1/2 Race 78 Miles
(Bunch) Jamie Shirlaw (Bunch) Rob Pugh
3 / 4 Race 50 Miles
(Bunch) Mike Cliffe
Salt Ayre League Event 20( BCF ) 26/08/2008
10th Jamie Shirlaw 12th Mike Cliffe
CDNW Event 13 Great Budworth ( BCF ) 31/09/2008
Race Report
Plenty of riders trying to end the season on a high ( including me ! ) as fifty seven riders took to the start line in Great Budworth. A reasonably uneventful four laps went by with every break not given much time before they were chased down. I felt really good, but I was indecisive about when to attack. In the end I missed the key break with about two laps to go, and was pretty furious with myself. I was keen not to wait for the sprint, and targeted the final climb about four miles from the finish as the place to go. Come the last lap, I attacked hard and gave all I had. I took a quick look behind, and I had a decent gap I tried to descend well, and bury myself to the finish but the bunch had other ideas and reeled me in. I tried to re-group for the ensuing sprint, but got boxed in as the gallop began. I came in a disappointing 24th place. I will try hard in my last few races, as I really wanted to get my 2nd Cat License this year ( if only briefly ) but those seven remaining points look hard to get ! As an aside, In the CDNW Road Race 3rd / 4th Cat League I am currently in 4th place with 3 events left
Mike Cliffe
BCF Rankings :-
2nd Cat Riders in North West Region
45th Jamie Shirlaw 18 Points 55th Dan Stephens 8 Points
Jamie Shirlaw is now a 2nd Category Rider after obtaining 40 BCF Points
3rd Cat Riders in North West Region
1st Dave Christian 38 Points 4th Mike Cliffe 33 Points 47th Graeme McLeod 10 Points
4th Category Riders in North West Region
7th James Barnes 5 Points 14th Mike Fugaccia 1 Point
Liverpool Century RC are currently ranked 3rd in the North West with 158 Points.
Duff Fawcett Vets races 45-50 6th Percy Stallard Dave Jones Mem. 1st National Firemans Champs Scotland 3rd Darley Moor.
Cheers,
Mike Cliffe
ROAD RACE REPORT - AUGUST 2008
Liverpool Mercury Circuit Race 5 (BCF) - Litherland - 09/07/2008
3rd - Rob Pugh 4th - Jamie Shirlaw 10th - Mike Cliffe
CDNW - Event 9 - Pimbo - Liverpool Century RR (BCF) - 13/07/2008
Race Report
Thankfully, one of the few stunning days weather we've had this year for racing around Pimbo Industrial Estate. In normal circumstances, these events are completely seperated, I.E. A 3rd / 4th Cat race - and a seperate ( slightly longer ) race for the Elite's / 1st's and 2nd's - But not today ! Because their weren't many entries for the Elite race, it was decided that we would all set off together - racing a 55 mile distance, and all the placings would be sorted out later - Can't say I was too chuffed with the idea, as I knew the race would pan out completely differently ! Relentless high pace from the start ensured my job was straight-forward - Hang on ! After roughly six laps a break formed that would go on to stay away, of about seven riders - including Rob Pugh. National RR Champion Rob Hayles was being well marked back in the bunch, and every time he so much as breathed hard - or changed a gear - everyone would jump to his wheel. Eventually, he showed his class and powered away in pursuit of the breakaway riders - Not before I had attempted to follow, after around forty seconds of severe pain I decided trying to follow him may not be a viable option - and retreated back to the bunch. With around eight laps to go I decided i was feeling good and made attempt after attempt to get clear of the bunch, often with a few other riders - but it never seemed to stick. Was increasingly frustrating, as I felt strong and was eager to pick up points. I sat at the head of the pack jumping across every time I thought the attack would stick, but it never did. Meanwhile, Rob Pugh had experienced some technical difficulties with his chain, had stopped, repaired the damage - and set off in pursuit of his breakaway companions. He managed to reach them just as they were rounding the final corner, and instead of tucking in for the sprint - he rode right past them ! Unfortunately, he had spent a great deal of energy getting back to the breakaway - but still finished a highly creditable 5th. As the bunch became restless for the sprint, I decided to take out my frustration in a last-ditch ( completely suicidal ) attack 600 metres before the line, I was thankful for some encouragement from some of the Bickerstaffe Chainey regulars - but still couldn't hold a decent gap coming into the finish. The bunch swallowed me up, and I rolled in toward the rear Was a little gutted, but I took heart from being active through-out most of the race ...
- Mike Cliffe
( Many Thanks to Liverpool Century Marshalls ! it was a well organized event )
Salt Ayre League - Event 14 (BCF) - 15/07/2008
14th - Mike Cliffe
Colne GP - Support Race (BCF) - 16/07/2008
( Bunch ) - Mike Cliffe
Liverpool Mercury Circuit Race 6 (BCF) - Litherland - 23/07/2008
6th - Jamie Shirlaw 7th - Mike Cliffe 10th - Dave Christian 12th - Graeme McLeod CDNW Event 10 Scaleby ( BCF ) 27/07/2008Report :-
An exceptionally humid morning greeted myself and Jamie on Sunday for the 4 laps of the Smithfields Circuit in Scaleby ( 48 Miles ). Jamie was obviously feeling pretty good, as he attacked the bunch early on with a few other riders. Throughout most of the race many breaks formed, but they were always reeled back in quite quickly. Eventually, however two lads managed to get away on the final lap they didnt have much of a gap, less than a minute but they managed to hold the bunch off. I hadnt attacked all race, as I liked the look of the finishing straight, slightly uphill, with a little kick at the end I managed to position myself pretty well and followed the right wheels until I saw a gap, and managed to start my sprint at the right time. Was well happy to finish in 5th place, having driven all that way ! Jamie finished in the bunch, but he had easily been one of the most active riders of the race I think he attacked at least once every lap !
5th Mike Cliffe 17th Jamie Shirlaw (The Century Train)
BCF Rankings
2nd Cat Riders in North West Region
50th Dan Stephens 8 Points
3rd Cat Riders in North West Region
2nd Dave Christian 35 Points 6th Mike Cliffe 30 Points 52nd Jamie Shirlaw 7 Points
Jamie Shirlaw is now a 3rd Category Rider after obtaining 10 BCF Points
4th Category Riders in North West Region 10th James Barnes 4 Points
Liverpool Century RC are currently ranked 10th in the North West with 90 Points.
Cheers, Mike Cliffe
July 2008 08/06/2008 - CHRIS KNIGHT MEMORIAL ROAD RACE ( TLI )
An absolutely stunning day for racing, myself, Rob Pugh and Mike Fugaccia started out on the Senior Race - 5 Laps, roughly 46 miles. The race wasn't very old as several riders broke away, including Rob. Must of been the heat, because I got over-excited and followed the breakaway group. Once with the break of about seven riders, We quickly got a healthy gap from the bunch. I suddenly realised I might be a little out-classed ! I recognised several riders from the Bickerstaffe Chainey 'A' Group, and as the pace quickened - I knew I may be in trouble ! Going through and off was difficult, Rob's wise words were that I should sit on - but even this was tough. After about six miles of this I dropped back, realising I wouldn't be able to contribute much to the break. Once back in the bunch, I got my breath back, and started to work on the front ( not that we would come close to catching the break ! ) - Mike Fugaccia came and worked through with me, because very few other people seemed keen to do any work. Back at the business end of the race, Norman Hughes had ridden away from the break - and soloed to victory. As the remnants of the break came into the finish, Rob out-sprinted Dave Williams for 2nd place. The bunch got pretty excitable as we came toward the finish, even though we were only sprinting for 12th - I tried to close down most early attacks, and thankfully had enough left for one last kick and I won the bunch sprint. Mike Fugaccia finished safely in the bunch. In the Vets race, Martin Moore also finished safely in the bunch ...
18/06/2008 - Liverpool Mercury Circuit Race - Number 4 ( BCF )
1st - Dave Christian 2nd - Dan Stevens 3rd - Mike Cliffe 6th - James Barnes
29/06/2008 - CDNW - EVENT 7a - LAZONBY ( BCF )
E/1/2 Race
5th - Rob Pugh
3/4 Race
8th - Mike Cliffe
B.C. points
Dave Christian = 34 Mike Cliffe = 20 Dan Stevens = 8 James Barnes = 4
results fro Duff Fawcett 9th Steve Gutteridge Mem. RR . 3rd Elswick R.R. 2nd B cat. 10th Firefighters World Champs Les Mureaux , France. 24th Balligeoch Masters Pete Fryer , Scotland. 2nd Darley Moor 1st B cat.
Road Race Report June 2008
Mersey Roads Circuit Race 1 - 14/05/2008 - Litherland 4th - Dave Christian 8th - Mike Cliffe John Cull Memorial Road Race - 17/05/2008 - Bickerstaffe Race Report :- A pretty bleak and blustery morning greeted the 40 competitors as we set off on laps of the Bickerstaffe Circuit, to complete the 50 miles worth of racing. Having had not done much racing through April, I was a bit concerned I may struggle early on but I settled in OK. A few early attacks went, but came back quite quickly until around Lap 7 when a group of four riders got a decent gap and capitalised on it well. I think they managed a gap close to 2 minutes, and many tried and failed to bridge the gap - including me. I had become a bit more confident and had been trying in vain to get away from the bunch without much luck. But with three laps to go, the bunch splintered a bit - and 6 riders got away with a healthy gap, I saw an opportunity and buried myself up the hill towards the church to get to them, a young lad followed me - and eventually, we got on. We had a decent gap, but no-one was really willing to work, until John Moore from the GB Fire Service suggested we get a move on ( can't recall his exact words ) - So we started going through and off pretty well, until disaster struck two miles later - I was taking my turn at the front with John Moore on my right, when I heard an awful noise behind us - two lads had touched wheels and gone down pretty hard, bringing down most of the break with them, thankfully no-one seriously hurt. Our group down to three, we resolved to work on for the remaining two laps - At this point I was pretty shattered and although I still took some turns the other lads were doing the lions share of the work. We maintained a decent gap, and coming into the finish, I had absolutley nothing for the sprint - But still pretty pleased at taking 7th place ...
Liverpool Mercury Dolan Circuit Race 2 - 21/05/2008 - Litherland 11th - Mike Cliffe Mersey Roads Circuit Race 1 - 14/05/2008 - Litherland 4th - Dave Christian 10th - Mike Cliffe Liverpool Mercury Dolan Circuit Race 3 - 04/06/2008 - Litherland
2nd - Rob Pugh 7th - Mike Cliffe 8th - Dave Christian
- As at todays date Liverpool Century RC are ranked 17th in the North West with 32 points. Dave Christian is closing in on a 2nd Cat License with 22 points, and myself on 10 points.
Cheers,
Mike Cliffe
29.07.07 golden oldies LVRC worleston
3rd . 2nd A CAT
5.08.07 Dave Jones mem. saighton 9th
. 6th A CAT
FOR THOSE WHO REMEMBER THESE EX PROS THE
BREAK WHO WENT EARLY IN THE ABOVE RACE..NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN CONSISTED OF
MIKE JONES
STEVE JONES
KEITH JONES
+ JOHN TONKS
Duff Fawcett
Road Race Report August 2007 AHhhh, British summer. What lovely torrential rain. What cold energy sapping wind. What .more floods? What the hell is going on? These words seem to be echoing from all parts of the UK this year and not only from us cyclists. Thousands of happy campers are saying the exact same as they pass the hours away in their drenched tents or caravans on some godforsaken hillside in N Wales playing snap for the 187th time. Ahhh, arent British summers are great?! So, the weather this summer has been dreadful. But, onto brighter skies and the success of our riders on the road circuit (can you see where I was going ..). Its been a couple of months since the last Road Race update so Ill endeavour to cover all those racing results to date. The big news is that Rob Pugh continues to improve with some sublime performances over the past couple of months. When Rob is on the bike he wastes no time demonstrating that the only way to ride is flat-out all the time .everywhere. Last time I tried to hold his wheel Im positive my kidneys and liver swapped places!! Robs results in June / July are very impressive; 3rd June NW Regional Champs 7th 17th June CDNW Stockport 5th 24th June BUSA Road Race 10th 15th July Blackpool Grand Prix 68th 22nd July CDNW Pimbo 3rd 29th July CDNW Smithfields 5th Rob now ranks 86th in the National BC Rankings and 5th for the North West Region.
If Rob Pugh is continuing his march up the rankings newcomer Daniel Stevens (Junior) is also proving age is no barrier to performance. Daniel has been riding as a 2nd Category junior this season and has posted some great results:- 10th June CDNW Buxton 6th 24th June Horwich Circuit Races 7th 22nd July CDNW Pimbo 21st Daniel now ranks 67th in the North West as a 2nd Category rider and is hoping to further improve as the season draws to a close. Liverpool Centurys self proclaimed pin up boy, Michael Cliffe has also been producing some excellent results this year. In only his first season he has already achieved his objective for the season - to be a 3rd Category rider. Mike has been so motivated hes been travelling to South Wales in an attempt to gain some points. Now thats commitment!!! Mikes results so far this season are as follows:- 17th May South Wales Crit 5th 19th May John Cull Memorial 5th 03rd June NW Champs 24th 22nd July CDNW Pimbo 38th |
