BEN Clarke was in the right spot at the right time when the Tamworth bike shop owner sprinted to a tough win in yesterday’s Tamworth Cycling Club A Grade criterium at Goddard Lane.
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A fast and attacking A grade race unfolded yesterday morning between the five top grade riders after a mid-race mishap for club publicity officer Mitch Carrington added some spice.
Carrington punctured mid-way through the race but, under the race rules, was allowed to join back in after missing just the one lap whilst quickly repairing his blowout.
Clarke thought it another “good race” despite Carrington’s mid-race mishap.
“He was able to get back in,” Clarke said.
“And he actually got away from us at one stage on his own but we were able to reel him back in.
“And the last 10 minutes there were attacks everywhere – attack after attack.
“Mick Sherwood rode strong too.
“I was lucky, just lucky to have enough left to sprint.”
He’s won a few of the club criteriums now and, while his racing is going well, his bikeshop BC Bikeshop on Bridge Street is going well too.
“I’m in the Chairman building with dad,” he said of his location.
Dad is Greg Clarke, who has run the Chairman upholstery business for 47 years.
The 61-year-old is also back riding and also had some criterium success in the lower grades.
Yesterday he was third to Josh Chisholm and Jayden Eunson in the C Grade 25mins plus two lapper.
“It’s good fun,” he grinned.
“I’m getting a few good numbers now too.”
While Clarke won A Grade from Sherwood and Ashley Smith, Dave Smith won the 30min plus two lap B Grade race from Robbie Carlyon and Mark Stewart with Josh Chisholm the C Grade winner and Fletcher Partlin winning D Grade’s 20minute plus two laps from Craig Cox and Neil Barry.
The Tamworth club race criteriums again next Sunday, racing from 8am.