Bishop in fine form as table-topping team enjoy week to remember

Worksop's Andy Bishop was in fine form as the Andy Moore Autocentres/J.E. James Racing Team enjoyed a remarkable week with a clean sweep of victories bringing a treble top triumph to keep the team top of the North Midlands TLI Road Race Series standings.

Team manager Andy Moore said: “It’s been absolute perfection from the lads this week.

“Every time they produce the results, they drive for yet more success.

“Their attitude, determination and spirit is an inspiration.

“With three wins in three days, it’s hard to see how it could get any better, but they just keep putting more rungs on the ladder.”

Having established a position at the top of the table with consistent early form in the series’ early performances, series leader ‘Deano’ Watson started Thursday’s event at Dinington looking to increase the advantage for both himself and his team-mates.

With a powerful line-up in attendance, it would prove to be a tough challenge for the rest of the field as the formidable AMAC/JEJ six-strong squad comprising Watson, Bishop, Chambers-Smith, Paterson, Dexter and Buxton laid down a marker straight from the flag.

Watson looked sharp from the first turn of the pedals to win the race, Chambers-Smith following him home for an impressive one-two finish.

Bishop further added to the team’s success with a sixth placed finish, with a powerful final sprint to clinch the points, thus ensuring the squad would stay top, along with maintaining the leading rider classification for Watson.

The enthusiasm displayed in the performance provided the motivating factor in the squad’s follow-on trip to Lichfield on Saturday, with a double header of races offering the opportunity for the team’s latest prodigy Freddie Bingham to shine.

Demonstrating a cool nerve, Bingham turned up the pace and rode away to claim an emphatic victory, to the cheers of both spectators and an overjoyed set of team-mates.

No doubt fuelled by that victory, team-mates Andy Bishop and Steve Paterson were joined by Thursday’s winner Watson to contest the second of the day’s races.

With a strong peloton comprising a high-quality spread of riders, the race proved high-paced from the off.

Watson’s final lap strength was impressive indeed, and the drive to the line both outfoxed and outgunned the chasers, who graciously accepted defeat at the end and declared Watson’s strength too much for both of them.

With Watson’s champagne assured, Worksop’s Andy Bishop unleashed an impressive attack on the last lap to leave the entire peloton in his wake, driving clear with such ferocity that his fourth-place finish was achieved with a clear margin of at least 50 metres.

With a midweek NMRRL TLI event planned for Thursday, and a trip to Lancaster on Saturday, the team’s quest for continued perfection continues.