National Elite Race

 

The National Elite Series race never fails to entertain and once again drew many of the best British riders. Olympic Gold-medallists and World Champions Chris Newton,  Rob Hayles and Ed Clancy took to the start line in the Elite race, along with local favourite Ian Wilkinson and Paul Oldham.

 

Kristian House rode the Elite Race in Colne

 

The Colne Grand Prix proved to be a battle to the end, with Dean Downing (Rapha Condor Sharp) winning ahead of 'superman' Ian Wilkinson (Endura Racing) and Ed Clancy (Motorpoint Marshals Pasta).

    

Dean Downing

 

Ian Wilkinson

    

Ed Clancy

   

Crowds of thousands lined the barriers gasped as the racers blast past at more than 30mph, time and time again, around the 800m closed road circuit in Colne Town Centre. 

   

 

       

The dramatic cycling drama was also played out in the skies with lightning puncturing the dark sky as the cyclists zoomed round the streets.

   

Ed Clancy chasing Dean Downing

   

A break of the main teams, resulted with Ed Clancy and Dean Downing splitting free and leading for most of the race. The rest of the break began to flag, opening the way for Endura to make a push from the main peloton.

    

Discussion during the laps with Tom Murray (Sigma Sport)

 

It was never a done deal, with the distance between the leaders reducing as the race went by.

   

   

By the last lap, the break was in touching distance. Dean Downing pelted through the last lap, clutching on to his lead.

 

Endura's push paid off, enabling the Series Leader, Ian Wilkinson, to reach the top two. A final sprint at the end resulted in Wilkinson winning by a length with Olympic Medallist Clancy taking third place.

 

Torrential rain poured down during the presentation ceremony, but did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds. Ian Wilkinson, eve the showman, played up to the delighted local fans who saw him take second in this year's Grand Prix.

 

 

Italian Youth Racing

 

Before the support race, the youth of Pendle from Cycle Sport Pendle, took to the streets for two Italian Pursuits.

 

 

Cycle Sport Pendle is a Go-Ride cycle club in Pendle introducing young people and their families to cycle sport and safe leisure cycling.

 

Support Race

 

55 riders lined up for the Colne Grand Prix Regional B Support Race vying to be first over the line.

   

    

Crowds of cycling fans joined together with local people from the pubs and restaurants all drawn in to watch the fast-paced cycling action.

 

The large peloton remained together, with a number of attempts to break away. After 45 minutes pelting round the 900m town course, the group was still tight together.

 

The atmosphere from the crowd was infectious, with crowds cheering on the group around the course.

 

    

In the end it was a final push from Bill Nickson (Bill Nickson Cycles) which won him first place, with James Notley (Team Goldtec) taking second and Ashley Marshall (VS Cycles) third.

   

YouTube Event Video

 

 

 

Blackburn Grand Prix is next in the Elite Road Racing Series, that Pennine Events organisers.