Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

After two years the Cicle Classic, Oakham - Melton cycle race returned to the farm tracks and dusty roads of Leicestershire and Rutland. My film starts in Oakham where we see the riders preparing for the race before speeding out of the town and onto the narrow and tight route reminiscent of european classics such as the Paris - Roubaix.

The 5th round of the Leicestershire Cyclocross League season took place at a very muddy Cattows Farm two days into 2022. The event featured a course with several obstacles including a spiral and a dismount among others. My film starts as the bikes are prepared for the race in a muddy pit area. It's over to the start line next where after a blast from a whistle we see the competitors tackle the course. Later we hear the last lap bell ring before the chequered flag is waved to signal the end of the race and the racers learn their timings.

Action from my visit to the first day (shakedown) of Wales Rally GB. We start in the Gwydyr Forest Park stage before visiting the Llandudno service park. The action later moves to Oulton Park Circuit where the drivers perform "donuts". Later in the day on a special stage we see competitors drive through a spectacular illuminated water splash in near total darkness.

Pro cyclists in the annual Leicester Castle Classic race around the streets of Leicester once again on a route taking in the home of Leicester City FC (King Power stadium), the Leicester Castle over cobbles and around the Mile Straight the route makes up a 80km race in total. My film begins in the race village where the various teams and riders warm up before heading to the start line to begin the race, we then see the riders travel the course and negotiate the difficult cobbles around the castle where the bells of the church of St Mary de Castro ring out as the race passes. The race continues around the various twists and turns of the course before a dramatic collision on the final stretch which sees several riders injured, after expert treatment from the medical teams on hand and a slight delay the riders made their way to the podium where winner Gabriel Cullaigh collected his prize to the cheers of the gathered crowd.

Highlights from the 2015 Ride Leicester Castle Classic Pro-Cycle Race around the streets Of Leicester taking in Leicester Castle, the Mile Straight, Bede Park and Leicesters Old Town. My film joins the teams as they warm up on the De Monfort University Campus before heading to the start line where City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby starts the race. The film then follows the riders as they speed around the course and ends with presentations to the individual winners and teams. Images follow

The Leicester Castle Classic is an 80km race over in a 4.1km route that includes a section on cobbles in Leicester Castle the mile straight along Western Boulevard and Leicester City FC`s King Power stadium. As of 2014 the race is now part of National Elite Road Series and is the penultimate race of the season. My film starts at Race HQ as Team Raleigh and others prepare before joining the race as it enters the cobbled section in Leicester castle though the Turret Gateway and later along the mile straight where we see race winner Jon Mould cross the finish line and on the podium.

The Island Race - Anglesey Half Marathon takes place in North Wales and starts on the Menai Suspension Bridge which runners cross before following a 13.10 Mile coastal road route to Beaumaris Castle and back. My video features the pre-race atmosphere at the start line, the race itself and some coverage of the beginning of the route before ending at the finish line in the town of Menai Bridge as the runners complete the race. Images follow.

I travelled to Rutland Water to watch Olympic gold medallist Chris Draper in his Moth type yacht compete against over 200 competitors in the 21st Rutland Challenge for the John Merricks Tiger Trophy. The trophy is a pursuit type race in which various classes of yacht compete against each other with a handicap (the Moths set out last as they are the fastest). The yachts completed a course around Rutland Water with good wind and beneath a crisp clear blue winter sky. My film features highlights of the action on and off the water and follows the Olympic gold medallist as he prepares his Moth for the race before taking to the water. images follow

My film features the professional (and dusty !) Paris - Roubaix Bike Race which took place in April 2013 and was filmed at various locations along the route in France. The Race takes place (as its name suggests) on a route between Paris and Roubaix in northern France and is famous for its rough terrain and cobblestones which often cause riders to fall and gives the race its nickname of 'The Hell of the North & 'A Sunday in Hell'. The event was first run in 1896 and as one of cycling's oldest races draws large crowds from many country's. The race was created by two Roubaix textile manufacturers, Théodore Vienne and Maurice Perez.

A spectators eye view of the Men's Olympic cycling road race as Bradley Wiggins and Team GB lead the Peloton up Strawbell slope, The slope is part of the National Trusts Zig Zag road at Box Hill in Surrey. My short film shows only a small section of the whole course which started and finished on the mall in the centre of London, The cyclists completing 9 laps of the Box Hill course as part of the bigger race. Keep a look out for Richard Long's art work 'The Road River' painted onto the road beneath the cyclists.