MITCH Carrington chases a third successive Tamworth Cycling Club A grade criterium victory at Goddard Lane tomorrow.
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The Tamworth plumber said the only reason that is happening is because talented young Tamworth cyclist Sam Spokes has returned to Europe to ride for his Etixx IHNED team.
‘They are the feeder team to Quik Step,” Carrington said.
“Sam could have blown us away at any time of the crits here.”
Carrington is sure Spokes rode the crits for company and to help the local club bring through younger riders and keep the races competitive.
“He’s back in the big time now – against Wiggins and Valverde,” Carrington said of some of the biggest names in cycling.
Sam’s father, Alan Spokes, who also rode the A Grade criterium last Sunday, said his son had returned to Europe and high-class competition straight away.
“He’s riding the Tour of Adalusia,” he said last Sunday morning.
“That’ll probably be his toughest opposition of the year too.
“I was talking to him this morning and he said his last three days he’s ridden 600ks.”
Indeed he’d finished 69th in one early stage and then completed the final stage with a 65th finish in a race won (overall) by Alejandro Valverde.
For Carrington and his TCC clubmates the regular criteriums continue at Goddard Lane from 8am tomorrow.