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Barras Finding Form
Linda McCartney Foods-WCU UK Development rider Tom Barras is finding form in the latter part of the cycling season after graduating from University. With a fine 6th place at the National Espoirs Championships a few weeks ago, he followed that up on Sunday with 5th at the penultimate round of the BCF National Espoirs series in Lincoln.
The 130km VC Lincoln TMS Impsport classic was held over exposed flat Fenland roads, which always make eventful racing, with riders facing crosswinds that split the field.
Barras was involved in the early action and made the front group of twelve together with team-mate Paul Sheppard. On the crosswind sections three riders were dropped and with the group working well the remains of the peloton were left for good.
With two laps remaining Tom Southam and Robin Sharman (Alsager - Adidas MRT) opened a gap and started the final selection. John Ibbotson (Gore Bike Wear) jumped with Sheppard, who were quickly followed by the watchful Neil Swithenbank (Alsager - Adidas MRT).
On the final lap Shepherd and Sharman both lost their place in the lead group with the three remaining riders working well together to drop Southam in the cross winds two miles before the finish.
National Espoirs champion Neil Swithenbank confirmed his current form and could not be denied the win by Ibbotson.
Only fourteen riders finished and the remains of the bunch came in 8.5 minutes down with the result sheet resembling that of a race held in the Peaks rather than in the flatlands of Lincoln.
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