The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
FLYING START: Neil Palmer smashed a Spalding CC club record. Photo by TIM BRYETT
Spalding Cycling Club’s 2014 season is well under way with two big events done and dusted – and records have already been rolling across the board.
Three new course records were smashed at the club’s five mile championship, which attracted a fine field of 36 (28 club members).
Neil Palmer’s rapid 11.13mins smashed the previous best time – and gave him first place too.
Also on stellar form was Aimee Stocker, who set a new ladies benchmark of 12.40mins. The personal best (PB) time guided her to a super ninth overall.
The other standard-setter was Sam Bentley, who clinched the junior record with a PB time 12.06mins – and fourth place to boot.
Other PBs went to Gary Bentley (13.45mins), under-16 Will Gurney (14.50mins) and Megan Kendall (15.53mins), while second and third places on the night went to Chris Ward (11.22mins) and Adam Ellis (11.27mins).
Meanwhile, a decent field of 27 faced the starters on a blustery but dry day at the ‘Open Hilly Time Trial’, which saw the riders complete a course from Edenham to Grantham… and back.
First home was Adam Gascoigne from Pedal Power Loughborough in 58.23mins – which was just 24 seconds off the course record. He was the only rider inside the hour for the 27-mile race.
Taking second place was Christophe Demoulin (Peterborough CC), who clocked 1.01.24hrs.
Third and fourth places were filled by Spalding’s Neil Palmer and Chris Ward in 1.03.35hrs and 1.05.20hrs respectively.
Those two took the top team prize with Ben Moore, while Ward also won the first vet gong. Fastest Lady was Louise Day (Team Jewson/MI Racing Tule) with 1.13.48hrs.
