Last year’s racing at Carlisle Cycle Circuit was largely dominated by visitors, especially Scottish riders.
But this week Cumbria bit back in the form of the recently launched Wolf Cycles team, run out of the shop of the same name in Longtown.
The team has attracted a number of the area’s most talented cyclists and they put on an impressive show on Thursday evening.
First race of the night was for Category 4 riders – entry level for adult racing under British Cycling rules and regulations.
A good field of both locals and visitors started the race in bright sunshine and it was Wolf Cycles’ Ed Hindmarsh who stamped his authority on the race, lapping the field and winning comfortably.
There were some impressive rides from the visitors too, with junior rider Archie Findlay of Dunfermline getting the better of fellow Scot Michael Williamson to take second
After a short break came the racing for second, third and fourth category riders, with several competitors from the first race joining the more highly ranked riders for the second battle of the night on the Harraby tarmac.
This race had attracted a good quality field with riders from the North East and Scotland travelling to compete against local cyclists but it was the Wolf Cycles duo of Alex Foster and Oli Dawson, working well together who broke away and achieved an unassailable lead by the last lap.
Oli ultimately crossed the line just ahead of his team mate. But that wasn’t the end of the excitement for the local fans as another rider in the distinctive Wolf kit broke away from the bunch and it proved to be none other than Ed Hindmarsh, still with energy in the legs after his victory in race 1.
The rest of the riders were closing fast as he sprinted into the final straight but he held on for third, making it a 1-2-3 for the Longtown team.
Fastest lap of the night was by North East rider Max Lutz -Atkinson who completed the kilometre in an impressive 1 minute 11.6 seconds despite the breezy conditions on his way to finishing 5th in the second race.
Praise is also due to junior rider Amelia Cleathero who was the only female competitor of the night and gave a good account of herself in race 1.
Racing returns next Thursday with competition for children and adults starting at 6.30pm.
