Cycling: 'Valuable lessons' from national series debut for CC IoM

Mechanical issues hit Manx team during demanding race

Cycling Club Isle of Man says 'valuable lessons' have been learned after a challenging debut on the British National Road Series at the weekend.

The four-strong Island team made its maiden appearance on the series at the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix on Sunday (20 August) in the fourth round of the men's competition.

Manx competitors Corrin Leeming and Niall Quiggin were joined by experienced riders Nick Cooper and Cameron Jeffers for the 161.9km contest.

In the early stages, Leeming got himself into contention in the bunch before his chain dropped, forcing him to stop - he was able to reach the group again but his efforts to get there meant he was distanced later on.

Meanwhile, Cooper and Jeffers stuck with the group despite Leeming dropping out with Cooper attempting to jump to the leading bunch on lap three before he was brought back in by the leading pack.

In a rapidly diminishing peloton, Jeffers and Cooper continued but Cooper's race came to an abrupt end due to a puncture with Jeffers also being dropped during the same phase of the race and unable to make it back.

For Quiggin - his first experience of this level of racing in the UK - he wasn't able to finish but CC IoM has described it as an 'invaluable opportunity' for him to learn from.

The men's race was dominated by the Saint Piran squad which secured all top five places come the finish with Under-23 rider Harry Birchall claiming top spot.