Billy Warnock Memorial Road Race 2015 – Ben Hetherington Takes the Win

– Submitted by Achieve Cycling –

Using the same course as previous years, 7 laps of a rolling circuit outside of Falkirk.

The race was aggressive from the outset with the first major move being formed after ten minutes of racing, initially it contained Brad Stokes and Ben Hetherington of Achieve Northside Skinnergate and David Griffiths of Team Pro Vison, on the second lap of the race Andrew Scorey of Berwick Wheelers and Jack Rees (Achieve Northside) crossed to the trio up front who quickly established a lead of 40 secs on the bunch.

Despite cohesive work and 44 kilometres covered in the first hour the leaders never really established any more than 30secs, with five laps completed a twenty rider strong group made the junction with the leaders containing the rest of the race favourite Steven Lawley and Pete Murdoch (Neon Velo) Phill Trodden (Moda), David Lines (Velosure), Scott Mcrossen (Paisley Velo).

The size of the now front group now meant that no one really took the initiative to drive the pace and the lead group and bunch rejoined.

For the next lap many riders attempted to force another move clear with the slight climb through the feed zone the spring board for many attacks.

With two laps to go a dangerous group of five escaped the bunch building up a lead of 20secs, the driving force Scottish National Champion Steven Lawley.

A concerted chase by the Achieve Northside Skinnergate Team looking to set the race up for their sprinter brought the race back together with half a lap remaining.

Going into the final kilometre, Ben Hetherington of Achieve attacked into the final drag maintaining a slender lead all the way to the line to take a strong victory with Jack Rees also of Achieve winning the bunch sprint.

An excellent and attacking race throughout with result in question right till the final meters.

Result - Billy Warnock Memorial Road Race 2015