Cowland drops out of defence of series crown whilst Dyson now sets sights on yellow

Carl Dyson from Syston in Leicestershire riding for www.cyclingbargains.com racing team out sprinted the bunch to bring the Northants Cycle Racing Association home at Harrington on a wet and windy afternoon last Saturday. Carl secured 2nd place for the 2nd week running as Malcolm Smith of Fenland Clarion attacked with 4 miles to go at the top of the major climb on the course at Lamport and stayed clear in the tail wind home. Dyson and Brett Harwood, the current yellow jersey holder after winning the opening event the previous week, watched each other carefully as Smith jumped away on the final climb. Dyson's team mate David Palmer from Kettering helped make sure he found his way to the front of the bunch to beat Harwood into 3rd place whilst Palmer secured 9th in the fast sprint.

Race leader Brett Harwood now has 28 points with a win and a 3rd place under his belt, but is neck and neck with Dyson who is also on 28 points after his two 2nd places. The third event starts at Old on Saturday at 2pm.

Last years Spring and Summer series winner Mike Cowland who also rides for www.cyclingbargains.com Racing Team is injured after a training accident in Australia earlier this month so will now not defend the NCRA Spring series. Cowland said, "I will now concentrate on recovery and bring my fitness back to race strength for major events in April and May."

Team Manager, Rod Freeman from Leicestershire said, "Carl is living up to the challenge and I am delighted with his results. With 3 races still to go there is plenty of time for the race leadership to change. We have a strong team and can be flexible on who our team leaders are. David is able to help Carl in this series but they of course miss Mike, who we hope will return for the summer series."