Seb Mora Wins Elite Circuit Series

Paul Johnson
Aug 10, 2016
2 min read

After an exciting and exhausting few weeks of racing the series finale was hosted in Colne tonight. Going into the race it looked like being a head to head between Seb Mora of Raleigh GAC and Harry Tanfield of Pedal Heaven for the series win.

Mora is the current World Madison Champion, however he was without the rainbow stripes tonight as he was not on the track. Tanfield has proven himself a gutsy and intelligent rider, and has been well supported by a strong team throughout the series so far. We have seen some great crowds, fast, frenetic races with attacks galore. Tonight promised to be no different.

For those who have yet to come across the series the concept is remarkably simple. Take some of the best riders currently racing on the national scene. Put them on tight circuits in town centres or stunning locations, keep the race short (just over an hour seems ideal). All that is left is to light the touch paper and retreat to a safe distance! Attacks fly in left right and centre, even with race pace that is kept well north of comfortable by a motivated peleton. Breaks go off, are caught, riders bridge and new breaks go almost non-stop throughout.

First off the front tonight was a four man break including the champion elect Mora. For obvious reasons the peleton was having none of it and they were soon reigned back in. Next off were three riders which included Alex Paton of Pedal Heaven. He has ridden strongly all series and started the evening 6th overall. It was probably this fact that led to a co-ordinated and committed chase. The trio rode bravely but the catch was inevitable.

A dozen riders attacked and got clear, this group was represented by all the major teams and for a while one wondered whether the group behind would allow them to stay clear. It didn't happen that way though and everyone came together with ten laps to go. It was at this point that the move of the night was made by Alex Paton of Pedal Heaven. Presumably the plan was to force Raleigh to chase hard and soften them up to the advantage of Paton's teammate. It certainly worked out that way but as his lead grew and grew you thought maybe he would stay clear and solo it all the way. Mora will be rightly proud and grateful that his boys buried themselves to drag back the escapee. It took them right down until the penultimate lap but they got him back to the bunch.

By this time the pace was so high that anyone considering another attack could not manage anything and a bunch sprint became inevitable, JLT Condor finished with a very impressive one-two with Graham Briggs taking the win and Tom Moses behind. The podium was completed by Matt Cronshaw of Madison Genesis. Seb Mora showed the experience and guile of a world champion to navigate through the bunch and snatch fourth and with it the series win. A great series of racing that I am sure competitors and spectators alike thoroughly enjoyed. I for one cannot wait for next year!