Cycling: Rhos on Sea duo lead the way

Jun 24 2010 By Dave Jones

RHOS-ON-SEA Cycling Club’s Dan Evans achieved the biggest win of his career while local sensation Ryan Mullen set and then broke his own national record at the weekend.

Evans claimed a debut victory in road racing last Wednesday with a brilliant solo attack two laps from the finish in the Litherland Criterium.

A break had formed early in the race with Evans and Polish rider Milan Sihelsky setting the early pace before two further riders joined them, helping them lap the chasing pack.

With three laps to go Evans dropped off the back of the four-man group, his legs fading along with hopes of a podium finish.

The break’s remaining three riders, whilst easing the pace ready for a sprint finish, failed to notice Evans launch a furious attack from where he soloed the final laps to take a well deserved victory. Dave Robson, from Rhos, finished with the pack.

Mullen set a new national junior time trial record for 10 miles on Saturday whilst competing in the Kent Valley Road Club Open in Levens, posting a time of 19:49.

Not content with that he then smashed a further 13 seconds off the record, clocking 19:36, which once ratified will stand as a new national best, to win the Rhos-on-Sea Open 10 held on the A55 the following day.

Last week young Mullen, aged 15, challenged the seniors in the Oulton Park road race, taking second behind Matt Crampton who pipped him on the line.

The following evening Mullen was runner-up in the West Cheshire 10-Mile Open, recording 20:09. Other Rhos times: 7th Justin McIlveen 21:07, Eifion Williams 22:56, Herbie Roberts 26:58, Tony Lord 28:42, Pete Booth 29:47.

Thursday brought the Rhos CC Club Championships, held over the new 10-mile Conwy Valley course.

McIlveen retained his crown for another year, coming second overall in 22:38 behind Planet X rider Mullen in 21:40.

Veteran’s champion was Gareth Bowyer in 23:51 and ladies champion Rhian Roxburgh in 26:07. Other times: Ryan Mullen 21:40, Justin McIlveen 1st Senior 22:38, Dan Evans 2nd senior 23:05, Gareth Bowyer 1st Vet 23:51, Simon Roxburgh 3rd Senior 24:05, Paul Howarth 2nd vet 24:46, Aled Roberts 25:24, John Dromey 3rd Vet  25:24, Mike Burns  25:40, Chris Pritchard 25:43, Russell Godwin 26:01, Rhian Roxburgh 1st Lady  26:07, David Dudley  26:16, Peter Cawley  26:35, Stephen Nuttall  27:47, Kevin Coleman 28:58, John Newsome  29:06, Emyr Evans 29:09, Alasdair Seaton  29:23, Les Horobin  29:26, Steve Leather 29:47, Eddie Edwards  29:54, Geraint Jones 30:20, Alan Wheeler PB 30:27, Dave Firth 30:35, Derrick Roberts  31:05, Graham Butterworth 35:06, Iorwerth Roberts 37:21.

Sol Kerfoot Robson of Rhos CC, racing in the National Circuit Race Series, had a painful day in Milton Keynes on Saturday, where he was brought down by another rider with three laps to go bringing an early end to his effort.

On Sunday he tackled the NCRS again, this time in Solihull, and bounced back courageously by taking an excellent win ahead of home favourite Matt Shaw.
Meanwhile, Dan Evans continued his good form taking fourth place at the Shrewsbury Criterium on Saturday morning, before heading to West Wales in the afternoon for the Aberystwyth Town Centre Circuit Race where he finished sixth.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Paul Howarth finished with the pack in the 65-mile John Boote Memorial Road Race at Weaverham, near Preston Brook.
The aforementioned Rhos-on-Sea Open 10, sponsored by Iwan Williams estate agents of Llanrwst attracted 39 riders.

Behind Mullen was Dave Crawley of Fibrax Wrexham in 20:18, edging out third-placed McIlveen 20:19.

Other Rhos results: Dan Evans 21:20, Eifion Williams 22:22 PB, Paul Howarth 22:59, Mike Burns 23:03, Paul Harvey 25:18, Herbie Roberts 26:56, Dave Firth 27:12, Pete Booth 29:16.