McCarty Gets First Win, Tillotson Takes Two in the Bs   2 Mar 2015

Jason McCarty notched up his first win at the Burkes Cycles Speed League Summer Series Round 5, held at the Wellington Velodrome in Hataitai on Sunday March 1. Breaking away at the half distance mark in the 20-lap Team Scratch race, McCarty was joined by Thomas McCallum and Pat Crowe-Rishworth. The break worked well together and although the bunch came within a few dozen metres at one point, they kept ahead and contested the sprint with McCarty finishing comfortably ahead of McCallum.

McCarty, new to track racing this season but a strong road rider, has placed consistently, most recently grabbing a second place in the Stayers Cup - one of the biggest one-off races for Masters in the Lower North Island.

"I'm really happy to get a win this season, it's definitely been a goal since starting the track" McCarty said afterwards. "its been a fun season and I've learnt a huge amount from the regulars but the win is a nice way to cap it off."

As a member of Wellington's under 17 team pursuit quartet heading to the National Age Group Championships in a week, Sam Tillotson looks to be hitting form at just the right time. He picked up two wins in the B category, winning the 8 lap Scratch race and 2 lap Sprinters' Scratch, plus finishing second to Liam Cooper in the Hare and Hounds.

In the C grade, the Bike Barn duo of Lincoln Hill and Glenn Catchpole shared the honours in their races, while in the D grade, the Leslie brothers cleaned up, Jake nabbing two wins, and Ben one.

Regan Bang took his second The Lanes Sprint Ace victory of the season to put him within one win of the overall lead. Kicking early on the last lap, Bang held off a rapid Bruce Cook by just a few centimetres over the line. Ele Pepperell continued her dominance of the women's The Lanes Sprint Ace with her sixth ride off win ahead of Lisa Hunkin.

Capital Cycles Dame Truth have a virtually unassailable lead of 280 points in the Zeal Interiors Team Prize. The Young Guns are second with 222 points and Rivet Racing third on 198.

In the Wellington Pursuit Championships, Jamie Hodgkinson established a record for the 2000m pursuit in the Masters 2 grade (45-54 years old) with a 2.59.90 effort. Pat Crowe-Rishworth and Gareth Warnock slugged it out for the Open Men's 4000m title with Crowe-Rishworth starting fast and maintaining a lead on his opponent to the end for a time of 4.31.60.

Nick Warren won the Masters 1 3000m recording 4.00.20 ahead of Bruce Cook on 4.08.50. Steve Chapman retained his Masters 3 Championship clocking 2.54.00, ahead of Lawrie Farrington on 3.11.20.

The Burkes Cycles Speed League continues on March 8 at the Wellington Velodrome with round six of the Summer Series. Full programme here.

Burkes Cycles Speed League 2015 Summer Series Category Leaders:
Senior/ Under 19: Bruce Cook (37 points)
Female: Ele Pepperell (19 points)
Under 17: Grace Saywell (44 points)
Under 15: Henry Tate (27 points)
Under 13: Matt McCarty (43 points)

Burkes Cycles Speed League 2014/5 OVERALL Category Leaders and Champion System Jersey wearers:
Senior/ Under 19: Grant Perry (91 points)
Female: Lisa Hunkin (50 points)
Under 17: Grace Saywell (106 points)
Under 15: Henry Tate (86 points)
Under 13: Jake Leslie (62 points)

The Lanes Sprint Ace (men): Louis Higgison
The Lanes Sprint Ace (women): Ele Pepperell
Zeal Commercial Interiors Teams Prize: Capital Cycles Dame Truth (280 points)

Full results from round 5.
Burkes Cycles Speed League tables.
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