Simpson wins national title

2:37pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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East Bradford Cycling Club's junior section did the club proud at the National Schools Track Championships in Portsmouth.

James Simpson became the club's first over-16 national champion, adding to his long list of medals at both regional and national level, while Joe Parker (Farsley Farfield Primary) came fifth in the under-tens.

Meanwhile, nearly 300 miles away, 12-year-old Billy Harding finished second in the Isle of Man Three-day Youth Tour.

In an event consisting of a prologue time trial, plus two road stages, Harding revelled in the chance to ride on closed roads and joked: "It's just like riding the Tour de France."

Club Coach Mike Healey said: "Billy got a taste of Le Tour last summer when he climbed one of the Tours' classic mountains, the Col d'Aubisque, in 1 hour 20 minutes, leaving dad Malcolm far behind."

Keighley's Tom Barras battled to 11th spot in the tough Lincoln Grand Prix.

With soaring temperatures and 11 ascents of the one in four cobbled Michaelgate climb, the field was soon whittled down from the 176 starters to just 54 finishers as the 86-mile course took its toll.

While Russell Downing from Rotherham took the win from a break of six riders which stayed clear of the bunch for much of the race, Barras (Plowman Craven RT) was pushing hard behind to catch the leaders and offer some support to team-mate Simon Richardson, who eventually finished third.

Barras teamed up with two or three other riders and broke away from the bunch, but despite working hard could not reach the leaders, who were setting a blistering pace with attack after attack.

An eventual 11th place gave Barras 25 points towards the Premier Calendar Series, and also earned him the plaudits of his team manager, Gary Beckett. "I was very impressed with his ride. He absolutely buried himself for the sake of the team," said Beckett.

"To see someone in such pain who still wouldn't give up was great to see, and that's just the kind of dedication I want from my riders."

Barras now heads to Ireland for the eight-day FBD Insurance Ras, a tough stage race which covers more than 1,200 kilometres.