The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Chris Ward was fastest at Spalding Cycling Club’s weather-affected 2015 five-mile time trial championships.
Last year, a total of 33 riders – 27 club members and six guests – took part and new course records were set in three categories.
But high winds and cold temperatures deterred many club members from entering this year, with a field of just six Spalding riders and two guests taking on the clock.
Given the conditions, though, that was something of a triumph.
Ward finished on 12.25mins, which was just over a minute slower than his time of 11.22mins for second place last year.
Second place went to Andy Bowser in 14.35mins, while Mark Hills was almost another minute back on 15.26mins in third spot.
Feeling the cold after a very successful racing trip to Malta, Tilly Gurney took the ladies’ and under-16 award in 17.30mins, while her Dad Andrew just got the better of Gary Bentley, recording 16.25mins and 16.45mins respectively.
Among the guest riders was Tom Neale, of Catford CC, a second claim Spalding cyclist and the senior member of the club’s select group of Go Riders, who have progressed to racing for sponsored teams.
He turned up on his time trial bike then decided that conditions didn’t suit, so rode home and picked up his road bike. He still recorded 13.06mins.
Adam Botteley, of Bourne Wheelers, was the other guest. He was first man off, but abandoned the race very early on.
