Culverwell second at the Bourne Classic
SAM CULVERWELL has cracked his first podium at National A level.
He finished his UK race season with a bang, producing another strong and gutsy ride to finish runner-up as Lincolnshire hosted the inaugural Bourne CiCLE Classic.
This built on his top-10 finishes in Eastbourne and Yorkshire and the 18-year-old shortly heads to Belgium with resounding confidence.
In his first National A race outside the mainstream senior series, a slightly lesser influence from Continental teams gave Culverwell the opportunity to utilise his aggressive style – and that he did.
After being involved in attacks from the start and claiming several King of the Castle sprint placings, he eventually got involved in a decisive move alongside Damien Clayton and Ali Slater.
A strong breakaway effort from Clayton split the trio and although Culverwell tried his best to stick on him, the Ribble Pro cyclist proved too strong and went on to win the 174km race in 4hrs 3min. 59sec.
But Culverwell followed in less than half-a-minute behind as Vitus Pro’s Slater completed the podium.
‘I felt good all race, which I was a bit surprised about as I had a really big block of training recently,’ said Culverwell.
‘I probably did a bit too much early on, getting in a lot of moves and closing down a lot of moves as well, which may have taken its toll from hour three to hour four.
‘I can’t complain, really, as it was a really good race and I didn’t miss any of the main moves – I got up to the front and just couldn’t quite go with Damien’s attack at the end.’
Such was the race’s unpredictability that National Road Series champion Matt Holmes, one of two Madison Genesis racers in the field, wound up 21st.
