Well done Nik

Saturday saw the first round of the NCRA spring handicap races. The race was hosted by WVCC and thanks must go to Phil Rayner who did a superb job organising the event. Thanks too to those who marshalled and helped to ensure everything ran super smoothly.

In a handicap race, riders are placed into groups of similar speed with the slower groups getting on the road first and the faster groups starting later. There were a good number of WVCC members racing and doing well, but particular congratulations must go to Nik Kershaw who was in the first group but nevertheless managed to come fourth overall, quite an achievement.

Here’s how Nick Clark in the lead car saw the race, “Nik Kershaw was brilliant. He split the first group with three others and worked with just one other whilst two youngsters sat in. When a group of three who had escaped from the second and third groups came through on the third lap, only Nik jumped on and whilst they distanced him in the last couple of miles, he had enough to keep of the approaching bunch. Great race, good handicapping and much better weather than predicted”

To paraphrase Phil Rayner, “Nik did so well. He was only beaten by two riders nearly young enough to be his grandchildren and by a guy who has won hundreds of races over the years. That’s a win in my book!”

And from the man himself, “I’m not sure what to say really. I was just using the race as training for a gravel race I’m doing in May to see where I was with my training. I know it doesn’t sound much, but I just put my head down and rode my own race. I was only going to take part in the first round since it was organised by WVCC but I have to admit that I’ve now entered the second round. I’m sure it will be a bit harder for me this week!

Good luck with the next race this weekend Nik and good luck with that gravel race too.

Full provisional results can be found here: (20+) NCRA Handicap Road Races ( The Worlds) | Facebook