HUDDERSFIELD Star Wheeler Mark Thaxter came fifth after a brave bid for glory in the Cycling Development North West race for third and fourth category riders on the Cockerham Circuit south of Lancaster.
Thaxter broke clear on lap two of four on the 12.5-mile circuit along with two other riders. They stayed clear for 20 miles before the bunch reeled them in.
Three other riders jumped clear and stayed away until the finish as Thaxter got second in the bunch sprint and fifth overall in a race won by Rob Whitfield (FP Mailing CT).
David Longbottom (HSW) stands 11th overall in the White Rose Youth League, finishing second in the time trial of the latest event at Bradford’s Richard Dunn Sport Centre.
The League reaches its finale on Saturday (1.00) in an event which includes the Yorkshire Circuit Championships.
Linthwaite’s Carl Saint won the last race in the 10-mile time trial series, staged on the Sovereign course to Ingbirchworth, in 22min 23sec but the series title went to the Holme Valley Wheelers’ Steve Rimmer, second fastest on the night in 25-42.
Fastest Star Wheeler was debutant Darren McDowell in 28-57.
Rimmer headed the final table with 104 points, Andrew Kerry was second on 98 and Stephen Robinson third on 97. Sam Mannion (HVW) topped the women’s league on 119 points from Rachael Mellor on 90.
Jack Beardsell (HVW) was a clear winner of the junior table on 90 points from Ben Kellett on 20.
Holme Valley Wheelers stage their hill-climb at Hinchliffe Mill tonight (7.30) and, on Saturday, the open 50-mile time trial at Boroughbridge.
