Cycling: Buckingham’s closing in on top category

Jul 8 2009 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD Star Wheeler Mark Buckingham is 25 points nearer his 1st Cat Racing Licence after a second place in the MW Cripwell Plan B Summer Road Race.

It’s for second, third and fourth Cat riders and Buckingham broke away at the beginning of the 85km race near Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, with seven others.

They worked well together and stayed out in front for the whole race.

Two riders dropped out with mechanical trouble leaving six in the breakaway.

Buckingham and Oliver Graham (Arctic Premier RT) broke clear of the remaining four riders on the finishing climb to sprint for the win, with Graham getting the honours.

Several local riders were in action in the Oldham Century RR 105km race for 2nd, 3rd & 4th Cat riders which takes in three climbs of Buckstones, Holme Moss and Saddleworth Moor.

Owain Lovell (Ashfield RC) took the race by the scruff of the neck by attacking up the first ascent of Buckstones and stayed away until the end of the race for a very impressive win.

Best local rider was Matthew Armitage (Private Member) in third place, with Paul Dixon (VS Cycles) and Richard Binks (Holme Valley Wheelers) in sixth and ninth.