Local London rider Dennis Hubble completed a full house of victories at the East London Eurovets GP Series Round 6 which also incorporated the 16th running of the London Old Masters.
With an oversubscribed entry of 19 riders present, Eurovets organiser Fred Rothwell and his East London deputy Kevin Smith were forced to run the event in two matches.
Over 50/60s
Dennis, the recent national over 50s winner at Edinburgh a fortnight ago, clinically won with a full maximum from fellow Redbraes Park runner up Steve Woodroof with Colin Wheeler finishing ahead of Rothwell in the A Final.
Sandwell's Phill Hemmings won the B version ahead of EL teammates Les Stevens and Dave Hughes from once a year racer Chris Riches, formerly of Hawbush. The organisation pressures of match promoter Kevin Smith affected his performance but the two over 60s finals provided major challenges for the eight grandvets present.
Edinburgh's Dave Baxter coming good in the B version from debutant Pat Cousins, the irrepressible Chic Mackie and a tiring Riches whilst the A Final produced the race of the day which saw 3 different leaders before the foursome cascaded over the finishing line in a blanket finish with Rothwell getting the win from Wheeler, Hughes and a not so lucky Les Stevens.
Over 40s
With the younger 40 something riders joined by the best of the rest the second individual would count as the London Old Masters prior to the two GP Finals at the end.
With the pace of racing upped accordingly in the now stifling conditions Dennis continued with another four straight wins only coming second to GP leadership rival and defending LOM champion Mark Griffiths in his final outing. Usual podium favourite Norman Venson triumphed over big gun Griffiths, who surprisingly lost out to newcomer Pete Chant in that heat too. Venson only dropped a point to Dennis in his first race, that meant they tied on 19 points necessitating a run off. Winning the toss Dennis chose the inside and led from the gate despite Norman's usual overtaking challenges.
Other riders in the individual impressed with EL's Woodroof picking up a brace of heat wins, teammate Steve Myhill beating Midlander Steve Mullinder in a thriller and Fred and Les accumulating points as well whilst tiring legs diluted the older riders some who had done 13 races by the finish. Lack of racing this year for Norfolk rider Tim Grimes showed and spectators like Ivan Darby, Tony Johnstone or Alan Busby could not be tempted to fill the one blank space in the programme.
The B Final saw Woody win from Les, the impressing Chant and co-ordinator Fred whilst the A version containing the forecasted powerhouse foursome did not disappoint.
Hubble off of one led primarily but hard close racing in the first two laps saw the others jockeying for the lead which resulted in a brilliant pass by Gary Brown on Dennis which saw the Suffolk rider streaking away for certain victory only for disaster to strike on the second bend of the final lap when he lost his front wheel in the drying shale, leaving Hubble doing well to avoid a collision and win and Griffiths second although Gary remounted to secure third place from a now tiring Venson.
This result now ties Dennis and Mark at the top of the standings with three rounds remaining.
London Old Masters (Run Off)
Dennis Hubble beat Norman Venson (Leicester) after both riders tied on 19 points in the individual scores prior to the GP Finals.
Results
Over 40s
1. Dennis Hubble 25 2. Mark Griffiths (Wednesfield) 23 3. Gary Brown (Kesgrave) 22 4. Norman Venson 21 5. Steve Woodroof 20 6. Les Stevens 18 7. Peter Chant (Southampton) 17 8. Fred Rothwell 16 9=.Colin Wheeler and Steve Myhill (East London) 12 11. Steve Mullinder (Wednesfield) 11 12, Phill Hemmings 10 13. Dave Hughes 8 14. Tim Grimes (Hethersett) 7 15. Chris Riches 6
Over 50s
1.Dennis Hubble (East London) 25 2. Steve Woodroof (East London) 23 3. Colin Wheeler (Southampton) 22 4. Fred Rothwell ("Pedal Sport") 21 5. Phil Hemmings (Sandwell) 20 6. Les Stevens (East London) 18 7. Dave Hughes (East London) 17 8. Chris Riches (ex Hawbush) 16 9. Dave Baxter (Edinburgh) 12 10=. Chick Mackie (Edinburgh) & Kevin Smith (East London) 11 12. Pat Cousins (Southampton) 9
Over 60s
1. Fred Rothwell 25 2. Colin Wheeler 23 3. Dave Hughes 22 4. Les Stevens 21 5. Dave Baxter 20 6. Pat Cousins 18 7. Chic Mackie 17 8. Chris Riches 16.
Referee - Nicky Gunkel (Greater London)
London Old Masters 2008
13th. “London Old Masters” (Eurovets GP Series Final Round of 7) held at East London on Saturday 25th. October 2008.
With 22 riders in the 3 classes present the meeting comprised of 2 individuals with corresponding “A” & “B” GP Finals. The over 50’s (Supervets) and over 60’s (Grand Vets) Individual final was first, refereed by Nicky Gunkel (Essex) followed by the over 40’s (Eurovets) Old Masters Final refereed by Dave Hughes (Greater London). With a considerable number of riders doing both events there was not too much time to socialise with the large crowd present including many old faces from the past.
Eurovets G.P. Series 2007. - Details by Dave Murphy
2007 Final Eurovets GP Standings (6 Rounds) - Over 40:
1st Norman Venson 121 points 2nd Dave Murphy 110 3rd Ian Lawrence 108 4th Dave Frith 99
Other GP point totals: Mick Aris 91, Fred Rothwell 86, Roger Ellis 69, S.Harvie 54, Lee Galley & Les Stevens 50, Dave O’Callaghan 41, Allan Evans 40, Mike Burgess 34, Lee Lawrence 33, Paul Dyson 23, Martin Glover 22, Kev Marson 21, Mick Pedley & Colin Wheeler 20, Joe McLaughlan 17, Paul Gibbs, Alan Guest, Chick Mackie & John Murphy 16, Gilbert Davis & Alan Cox 11, Ian McKinlay 10, Steve Bloxham, Chris Riches, Rob Absolom & Jan Kuik 9, Phil Widdas 8, Grzegorz Wielinski 6 & George Hughes 5.
2007 Final Eurovets GP Standings (6 Rounds) - Over 50:
1st Ian Lawrence 123 points 2nd Fred Rothwell 113 3rd Mick Aris 110 4th Roger Ellis 96
Other GP point totals: Steve Harvie 93, Les Stevens 63, Mike Burgess 45, Chick Mackie 24, Mick Pedley & Joe McLaughlan 22, Alan Cox, John Murphy & Colin Wheeler 21, Alan Guest 20, Ian McKinlay & Phil Widdas 17. Steve Bloxham 17, Chris Riches 9.
2007 Final Eurovets GP Standings (6 Rounds) - Over 60:
1st Roger Ellis 123 points 2nd Chick Mackie 45 3rd John Murphy 25 4th Colin Wheeler 25
Report Coming soon...
Saturday 16th August saw another Orchid Eurovets win for TK at a very wet Glasgow for Round Six, but I'd rather have finished second (again!) to Wednesfield star Mick Aris than see him out after a very nasty accident at work which kept him away from this one. A good day for the Vikings with the three of us (Jim Graham and Jason Keith) bringing home four trophies between us.
I'm trying to find some reportage covering this meeting but so far I've been unlucky. Any thoughts, anyone out there?
Round One of the Orchid Eurovets saw a great debut for Mark Winwood as he took the honours for the 40 and over category.
The meeting had 25 riders in total turn out which was not bad considering the weather warnings given out after this weekends awful weather. Winwood headed the qualifiers and then came out on top ahead of the Coventry pair of Venson and Dave Frith as another Midlander Griffiths picked up fourth spot in the standings.
In the 50’s and over event Paul Timms took up the defence of the title by going into the qualifying rounds and in the A Final beating midland rivals Phil Hemmings, Mick Aris and Joe McLaughlin. Timms who is still not fully fit would of taken 25 points off you before the meeting if you would of said that to him. Steve Hodgkinson just missed out on the A Final and had to settle for the B but the Monarch's rider took the flag ahead of Newcastle rider Terry Kirkup and Wednesfield Ace Steve Mullinder.
The series travels to Coventry on 10th May for the second round.
After the rain affected opening round of the 2014 Eurovets GP series at Horspath (Oxford) in late April, hopes were high that sunshine and agreeable weather conditions would be in place for round 2 at Coventry on Saturday 10th May.
All the Eurovets riders were eagerly awaiting racing at the super banked Hearsall Common circuit in Coventry, scene of the memorable 2013 British Open Final, which many of the vets had attended or who had seen the excellent coverage of the final on their TV screens.
Hopes were dashed on the weather front as continuous heavy showers in the preceding 48 hours in the Coventry area had rendered the track waterlogged, producing heavy conditions, which of course are not the ideal ones for the veteran competitors.
A rearranged British Junior & Youth League round was staged from early morning, prior to the Eurovets round 2. This was subject to persistent showers, which although not heavy in the most part, prevented the drying out of the Hearsall Common bowl.
However, what everyone in attendance feared actually materialised around 1pm. A massive 5 minute long downpour completely flooded the track, swamping the straights to half way out on either side.
Everyone clubbed in – juniors, officials, parents and vets – and after a sustained 15 minutes of remedial work, racing was underway again. This had the effect of presenting the vets with even heavier conditions as the Eurovets eventually got under way an hour behind schedule.
There was once again a very good turnout across the three categories. A surprise, but very welcome, debutant was Tim Grimes (from Hethersett), who acquitted himself very well.
Long distance competitors included friendly Geordies Jim Graham, Terry Kirkup and Jason Keith. Terry raced to his best Eurovets GP score to date. The trio left happy, staying at Birmingham overnight before heading to Bury on Sunday.
There was a new winner of the Over 60s final when Birmingham`s Bob Prince deservedly took the honours racing in his first TLI Cycling hosted event. Series Over 60s leader Mick Aris took second, with Fred Rothwell third.
There was keen competition in the Over 50s classification. A number of prominent riders missed out on a final appearance, including Steve Mullinder, the returning Paul Dyson and the aforementioned Prince and Kirkup.
Over 50s competition leader Paul Timms had reeled off five wins to ensure gate one in the final. He was in terrific form all afternoon and eventually won the final in fine style.
The busy Aris finished runners-up. There was a great battle between home man Joe McLaughlin, still hampered by various injuries, and Birmingham`s stylish Steve Hodgkinson, for third, which McLaughlin won after a fierce dive on his rival.
This result also echoed the overall Over 50s series leadership – Timms leading from a pressing Aris, and McLaughlin in close attention.
In the final placings in the Over 40s, Mark Winwood strode to an accomplished maximum to head the race for the final. He was joined Leicester Eurovets stalwart Norman Venson, Hellingley`s flying Martin Hollebon and Dave Frith from Coventry.
Winwood speeded to victory with Venson runners-up. There was a spectacular crash involving Hollebon and Frith, with the Sussex star remounting first to claim a podium finish.
Unfortunately, Eurovets regulars such as John Whiting, Mark Grifiths, Kevin Smith, Chic Mackie and Phil Hemming were missing, some due to illness. The Eurovets group hope to see them all back featuring in later rounds soon.
Another absentee was Wednesfield comeback man Kevin Marson, who had performed very well in the opening round at Horspath two weeks previously. Kevin`s absent was un-explained but it is hoped he returns to the series soon.
The Swindon trio of Jim Collyer, Paul Matthews and Martin Glover, who made their Eurovets debuts at Horspath, were again very welcome and friendly additions to the series. Ben Mould`s father, Dave, also featured at Coventry and seemed more competitive than at Oxford.
The next round of the Eurovets GP series is at Poole, Dorset, this Saturday (31st May), commencing at 1pm. Poole is a new venue for the Eurovets GP and all the riders are keenly looking forward to racing at one of the sport’s most foremost venues.
Riders can register on the day at Poole for a £4 `day licence` or take out a really cost effective TLI Cycling years membership at an affordable £10. There are no rider levy fees applicable at TLI Cycling promoted events. For more information, please go to: www.tlicycling.org.uk