LEWIS Chapman almost gunned down Sam Spokes in a flashing final lap of their Tamworth Cycling Club A/B Grade criterium at Goddard Lane yesterday morning.
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Teenaged Chapman’s rising form almost had an enormous lift with the scalp of 21-year-old Spokes who is preparing to return to Italy and his professional team next month.
“Lewis almost got him,” TCC publicity officer Mal Nash said.
“He just missed on the line.
“It was a good, fast race too. Fraser Ashford was third.”
The race also had some early drama when Scott Thompson skidded around the first turn and came off.
He lost plenty of skin but was back on his bike only to have some mechanical problems.
“His gears wouldn’t change,”Nash said.
“He got straight back on and rode four or five laps but had to pull out.”
Apart from that, it was a fast race, with around 15 riders ramping it up for the final lap dash.
The combined A and B Grade race followed a 25minute plus two laps C Grade won by Douglas Pianta.
“That was his first win,” Nash said of a win from Lachlan Mackay and a returning Mal Ellicott.
“That was a pretty quick race too,” Nash added.
“I tried to put some pace into the race, trying to wear out those young blokes but it didn’t work.”
Nash said the TCC races again with their Criterium races at Goddard Lane from 8am this Sunday.