Cycle Race TLI Dalton June 2005, run by Willy Thompson for the VC Azzurri

Tuesday 28th June 2005.
Willy Thompson’s super Tuesday League Series, run under the auspices of the TLI/VC Azzurri (Newcastle), with races in a number of circuits in Northumberland. This circuit began in Dalton Village Hall, heading west towards Stanfordham but turning left back to Medburn (near Ponteland) before heading northwest to the finish line which was on a slight uphill grade.
These races were handicapped (I think they were officially called “TLI Pursuit Series”), with anything from three to six/seven groups setting off -my diary notes this race was five laps totalling 40.44 miles. Willy’s genius was in assembling the handicapped groups and filtering arriving riders just before the start. On a relatively flattish circuit such as this, the groups would gradually merge, with the fastest cyclists getting a good average speed and slower racers such as myself having time to adjust to racing pace and enjoy a fast bunch sprint.
Huge thanks to Willy, and all the other people who would marshall the courses. The TLI membership was inexpensive, as were the races themselves, and it gave me an excellent introduction to UK cycle racing.
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