Blythe chases elusive victory after Fourmies fourth

Blythe chases elusive win after Fourmies fourth

Adam Blythe showed his growing autumn form last Sunday when he sprinted to fourth place at the GP Fourmies in northern France.

"It was all right; it could have been better, if I hadn't waited for McEwen to go," Blythe told Cycling Weekly. "I was going to lead out my teammate Kenny De Haes, but it all got mixed up at the finish."

The result comes a fortnight after Blythe took fourth in another bunch sprint at the Schaal Sels race in Holland.

Though he doesn't turn 21 till during the Circuit Franco-Belge in a fortnight, Blythe is as hungry as ever for his first win as a pro.

"It doesn't matter where I get that first win, as long as I get it before the season's out. I've been chasing it since the Giro finished," he said.

Nevertheless, Belgian-based Blythe is ultimately content with a first year in the ProTour that has seen him finish fifth in a Giro stage and support Philippe Gilbert in several Monuments and top-level races.

"If you'd told me last year that I'd be racing Roubaix, Flanders and Paris-Tours, supporting Philippe Gilbert, I wouldn't have believed you. He was dead pleased with how I rode for him in Ghent-Wevelgem; I just hope to get to do more races following him."

Blythe faces the camera at the Giro d'Italia

On-form Haynes wins Interclub

Staying in Belgium, 2006 national road race champion Hamish Haynes is also coming good in the autumn. Last Saturday, he took a solo victory in the Interclub race at Nieuwkerken-Waas.

It is Haynes's second win of the year, after claiming a kermesse at Geetbets three weeks ago.

The 36-year-old followed it up with fifth place in Wednesday's prestigious Memorial Briek Schotte, leading in a group 20 seconds behind the leaders.

Quick Step rider Kevin van Impe - nephew of 1976 Tour winner Lucien - took victory.

Echoing Blythe's desire for a win, Haynes wrote on his website afterwards: "Feeling in very good condition now, just lacked a little confidence in the finale. Rode strongly to win the sprint for 5th, another good sign and of course positive for the self belief.

"Really hungry for a win in these races. The body is ready, can I make it happen?"

Houvenaghel and Shaw show Commonwealth form at Chrono Champenois

Wendy Houvenaghel and Julia Shaw geared up for next month's Commonwealth Games with impressive performances at the Chrono Champenois time-trial in France on Sunday.

The pair came fourth and fifth respectively over the 33km course, just 31 and 32 seconds down on winner Anne Samplonius of Canada.

After missing out on selection for Melbourne in 2006, multiple domestic champion Shaw (Utag Yamaha), was added to England's squad for the Commonwealth Games last week and will ride the individual time trial in New Delhi, India.

Meanwhile, Olympic silver medallist Houvenaghel (Bike Chain Ricci) will represent Northern Ireland in both the individual pursuit and the road time trial at the Games between October 3-14.

Knog/Rollapaluza Halloween Cross entries open today

Ghosts, ghouls and garish fancy dress: don't miss out on the Knog Muddy Hell Halloween Cyclo Cross race; entries open at 12 noon today.

The event offers a unique opportunity to race the innovative Herne Hill course on a floodlit route on Saturday 30 October.

Last year's inaugural event was a resounding success, drawing capacity entries and a sizeable crowd.

Presented by Rollapaluza and now supported by Knog, there's a £1,000 prize list on offer. The Herne Hill course will also reprise last year's Belgian-style stroke of sending the race through the beer tent.

There are races for seniors, juniors, women, vets, Go Cross novices, U16, U14 and U12 rider - and a best fancy dress prize.

The action kicks off at 5pm, running till 11pm.

It will be a case of enter now or miss out, with many of the categories expected to fill within hours of opening.

To enter, visit http://www.riderhq.com/events/knogmuddyhellhalloweencyclocross

Sign up to set a WattBike World Record

Volunteer riders are needed to take part in a world record cycling attempt to produce the most amount of electricity over a 24 hour period. 

The aim is to beat the current record and produce over 18,000 kilowatts of electricity and raise over £10,000 for The Christie Charity. 

The attempt will take place on a static bike at the Manchester Velodrome beginning at 5pm on Friday October 1 and finishing 24 hours later.  For each kilowatt hour of electricity produced by participants, Soreen will donate 50p to the charity which treats cancer patients in the North West. 

All cyclists will receive goody bags and a certificate if the record broken; the top three electricity producers will also win a top of the range new bike worth £500, plus all participants will be entered into a free prize draw to win a holiday for four.

Soreen will also be offering the top cycling club who produces the most energy an entire year's sponsorship deal which will include cycling shirts, velodrome sessions and a year's supply of their malt loaves. 

For more information see www.soreen.com/squidgyenergy