Another trip to MK Bowl for Richard Santhouse and Josh Lovell, last Thursday. As they raced in round 1 of King & Queen of the Bowl Criterium series.
They were out on a stunning evening for racing with bright sunshine, shining through the trees that surround the bowl circuit. With Richard sporting his new BSCC top, amongst the 19 competitors that started the race. With Richard and Josh leading on the front for the first 10 laps and set a good pace and set up to drop the weaker riders at the beginning of the race, knowing that many would be unwilling to pull on the front and trying to prevent a bunch sprint at the end.
Having set the a good pace from the start which was 7PM. They worked hard into a slight headwind on the start of the back straight, a few also started to help on the front, especially when attacks started to go. The race reached the 45 minute time and the sign for 5 laps remaining went out.
On the last few laps there were 8 riders together, each of them trying to get into position. One rider tried to break away on the second to last lap but was quickly closed down. On the final lap Richard and Josh were preparing for the sprint finish, avoiding being boxed in. On the last ascent up the hill, both Josh and Richard sprinted to the line, overtaking a few riders each. Josh Lovell finished 4th place, Richard Santhouse 5th. This was a great result for both riders. Richard now has enough points for Cat 3 promotion.
Well done to both for another stirling effort in a competitive race. They are pictured below with eventual winner Michael Boden.
