Culverwell heads to Nationals with real hope
Sam CULVERWELL proudly mounted the podium after an outstanding race in the Monmouthshire Junior Grand Prix.
The 17-year-old headed into the sixth, and arguably toughest, round of the HSBC National Junior Road Race Series with a recent run of results dashed by unfortunate mechanicals.
But the proficient mountain biker turned road racer thrived on the hilly 77-mile course, recording a time of 3hrs. 6min. 58sec. to take third place against a very strong national-class field.
Culverwell was well within himself among the main pack initially as a brave pair of riders broke ahead to a one-minute gap in the early miles.
Their lead was shortlived, however, and the Guernseyman was back at the head of the field again within a few miles.
Culverwell continued to bide his time as a breakaway group of confident climbers led the field into the second half of the race, anticipating the three tough ascents up Grosmont hill.
The breakaway group, which included eventual King of the Mountains Callum McLeod, soldiered on for a while before being brought back to the pack with just 20 miles to go.
The final Grosmont climb set the scene for a brave move from the Sarnian, who took off as part of a three-rider breakaway to draw nearly a minute on the main field.
Although Culverwell was reeled back in and became part of an eight-rider pack in the final stages, he pedalled on strongly to cross the line just four seconds behind winner Mason Hollyman.
After being hampered by untimely technicals in several earlier races, the young rider was ‘buzzing’ with his performance.
‘The hot conditions sapped your energy and the hilly conditions made for some really tough racing,’ he said.
‘I’m really happy to have finished third after bad luck in some other races this year, so I’m buzzing to finally get a good result and hopefully I can build on this for the rest of the season.’
Mentor Gary Wallbridge, a former Velo Club president, was also a very proud man.
‘At 77 miles, it’s the longest single-stage day race and it’s generally regarded by the parents as the toughest in the series, and to get through that in third place is a real thriller – it’s probably his best race ever,’ he said.
Culverwell’s strong showing bodes well for his appearance at the National Junior Road Championships on 15 July.
