Race organisers at Carlisle Cycling Association could barely believe their luck.
Despite last week’s storm, weather conditions were close to perfect yesterday – dry with light winds and the sun even put in an appearance.
This contributed to some close fast racing at their final competitive event of 2025.
The association ran a two-in-one event with racing for all categories of adult racer.
Those in the lower race categories rode in a Regional B competition whilst more highly ranked riders competed in a National B event. Each event consisted of two races.
First was a 5km time trial with the riders competing against the clock to see who could complete five laps of the Carlisle Cycle Circuit in the fastest time, followed by a criteria, or bunch race, for each group.
The results of each stage were then combined to decide the overall winners.
With prizes and British Cycling ranking points on offer for both stages and the overall results there was a strong field of both locals and visitors on the start line with riders travelling from as far away as Scotland and London.
The good weather conditions contributed to some fast times in the Time Trial. Scottish youngster Rory Fleming was fastest in the Regional B category with Spectra Racing’s Joe Wilson winner of the National B.
Both criteriums were close finishes. In the Regional B, Wolf Cycles’ Craig Summersgill made a bold long range attack but was caught on the line by Velo Club Cumbria’s Mark Studholme taking his first ever win at the Circuit.
Wolf’s James Parkin completed a Cumbrian 1-2-3 much to the delight of the local spectators.
The National B was also a fast race with a close finish. Joe Wilson again took first by a narrow margin from Cycling Sheffield’s Denholm Edwards, with Wolf Cycles’ Alex Foster rounding out the podium, the top 3 separated by less than a quarter of a second.
When the final calculations were done it was a clean sweep for Wilson in the National B event and he also took the prize for fastest lap of the day.
Rory Fleming was victorious in the Regional B competition and also best rider under 18.
Craig Summersgill was a popular winner of the award for most Combatative Rider of the day.
Several riders won enough ranking points over the course of the day to gain themselves a higher category race licence for next year and there was a great atmosphere of friendly competition throughout.
Racing is now over for 2025 but the association runs coaching sessions for youth and adult riders throughout the winter and new riders are always welcome.
Anyone interested is invited to contact the association on [email protected] or via its Facebook page.
