Osborn sprints to series title

MATT OSBORN won a sprint finish to clinch the Velo Club's summer handicap series. Strong winds and a mountain bike race clash restricted the entry to just 10 riders, but of these, three were still in contention to win the series, with Josh Owen starting the day leading from Tony Bleasdale and Osborn.

With each starting in separate groups, there was little assistance to claw back the time issued by the handicapper, let alone cope with other influences.

Of the 10 riders, only four finished, with crashes, punctures and retirements putting paid to the rest.

Bleasdale was the one to crash on the fast descent into Les Vauxbelets and Aaron Bailey gave up his ride to assist his injured colleague.

Owen then had the misfortune to puncture, leaving Osborn to hope that it was not his unlucky day as well.

After three laps of the Vazon circuit, Osborn had just enough strength to outsprint Tim Holmes for the line to take the win and the series title.

Graham Le Maitre and Gary Le Tissier completed the quartet of finishers.

To their credit, both Osborn and Owen switched machines and then completed the mountain bike race where they finished as sixth expert and third advanced respectively.