HALESOWEN Athletics and Cycling Club riders had their first serious try out for the new season last Sunday when Sam Dighton, Charles Walker and Joe Hobbs rode in the Evesham Vale 62 miles cycle road race on a cold morning in the Inkberrow area with mixed results.

The fast ridden race, which included a large number of elite class riders, ended with second year junior Walker finishing in a credible 23rd position after the main bunch of which he was a member nearly caught a leading group of some 18 riders which had broken away half way through the race.

Unfortunately, fellow junior rider Dighton, who along with Walker is being supported under Halesowen Cycling Club's Academy scheme, started the race with a throat infection and was unable to hold the pace dropping out on the first lap. Dighton was very disappointed as he has put many miles in during the winter and is aiming for a really good season.

There was also misfortune for senior rider, Joe Hobbs who suffered from a rear wheel puncture half way through the race when riding strongly and was unable to rejoin the field.

The race was won by elite rider, David McGowen riding for Pedal Haven RT, who took the group sprint finish in a time of 2hrs 30 minutes with former Halesowen rider, Matt Clarke, now riding for the Wheelbase Altura MGD team finishing strongly in 10th position.

Meanwhile, Halesowen schoolboy riders, Ryan Brookes and Luke Harris showed how it should be done when they won their respective races on the Tudor Grange closed circuit in the BC West Midland Youth Series.