Spoke spells trouble for Clarke (From Halesowen News)

Spoke spells trouble for Clarke

7:00pm Friday 22nd June 2012 in Sport

A BROKEN spoke put paid to Hagley racer Matt Clarke’s hopes in the Stafford Grand Prix.

Clarke managed to find his way into the decisive breakaway in the 66-mile race last Sunday but his chance of victory disappeared when he suffered the mechanical issue, as a spoke broke on his rear wheel, with one lap remaining.

Despite being given a spare wheel he had lost too much time and couldn’t rejoin the group.

The bad luck spread to Clarke’s Halesowen Cycling Club team-mates, as Tom Gregory saw his chain snap while Jack Mills was caught up in a crash.

There was better news for Stourbridge-based rider Will Hier, who claimed 20th place.

Clarke and the Halesowen team now turn their attentions to the five day Ras du Cymru stage race, which begins in South Wales next week.