Prince charms on way to victory

8:00am Saturday 10th May 2008

BROMSGROVE's Paul Prince rode to a superb victory in the Two Counties RR at Bridgnorth on Sunday.

He took advantage of a mistake by Severn RC's Rob Edwards on the last turn to win the event.

Prince set a fast pace up the first climb through Norton Village but an Edwards counter-attack saw him go clear at the turn to Sutton Maddock.

By the return leg Prince broke clear of the pack to be part of the leading trio of riders.

On the final climb to the finish line Prince tried to break clear but Edwards retaliated by edging into a slender lead.

But the Wyre Forest CRC won the race when Edwards missed the final turn in the sprint to the line.

Prince's clubmate Ian Connolly rode well on the hard circuit to finish down the classification, while development squad rider Tom Payton had a tough race and retired towards the end.

Wyre Forest riders took the team prize in fine style in the Beacon Little Mountain 39m time trial at Great Witley.

Prince was again in superb form and was the first Wyre Forest rider to finish the event, crossing the line in sixth place overall in a time of one hour, 43 minutes and 39 seconds.

He was followed by Mark West who produced a strong performance with a time of 1-55-27 and Brian Austin (1-56-41) to take the team victory.

Connolly rode well to finish with 2-00-26, followed by Jon Howard (2-02-26) and Andy Overton (2-07-21).

Mike Haddon was hampered by a puncture but still managed to finish in a time of 2-22-27, while veteran Dave Prior finished in a time of 2-23-19.

Phil Blacker made it two wins out of two with a superb victory in the club's time trial around the undulating 14m Astley circuit.

Blacker finished in a stunning time of 32-55, while Prince was second place in 33-08 and Lorenzo Buratti rode strongly for third with 34-39.

Wyre Forest club race other finishers: Warren King 35-47; Michelle Brown 36-18; Andy Convery 36-20; Joe Rowe 36-29; Dave Wood 36-52; Jon Howard 37-03; Ian Connolly 37-13; Andy Overton 38-31; Dave Meacham 38-37; Andy Cotterell 40-49; Ruth Finney 42-20; Ruth Blacker 43-28; Phil Hunt 43-41; Ian Wall 45-17; Chris Edmonds 45-37; Louise Rotheram 46-07; Alex Hamer 48-07; Norbert Wysock 49-48; Adrian Kramer 50-23; Jared Kramer 53-20.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the club can visit www.wfcrc.org.uk