The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Ed Gurney was the winner of Spalding Cycling Club’s much-coveted Fisherman’s Arms trophy.
Incorporated in round ten of the club’s ten mile time trial league, the trophy compares finish times in the qualifying event against each member’s season’s best time produces.
The results of a trophy often serve up a surprise – and this year was no exception, with Gurney following up great performance on the grass track circuit by taking the win with 32.42mins, a 1.26mins improvement over his round three personal best (PB) ride of 34.08mins.
Second place in the Fisherman’s, with a 45 second improvement to 30.50mins from his 31.35mins set in round seven, went to Brian Johnson.
Curiously, third place was shared by Andy Bowser, one of the main contenders for the forthcoming ten mile championships, and Barry Drew, and also by one of the tightest margins imaginable –just 0.03 of a second.
This consistency was shared by Frazer Wallis – a 0.02secs improvement from 24:45 to 24.43, which is believed to be a PB and was good enough for third place in the club standings, and Simon
Wright just 0.01 of a second from 25.26secs to 25.25secs.
The focus of some members on the ten mile championship – and with others on holiday – meant that competitor numbers were down to 14 club members and six guests.
Crucially for the championships results, pace-setter Ben Moore was missing, so the leader board changed shape slightly with Matt Ellis the fastest club member finishing on 22.53mins.
He was ahead of 2016 winner Bowser on 23.19mins.
First lady, Sarah Bentley clocked a finishing time of 29.43mins – slightly slower than usual but nevertheless impressive having completed the RTTC 12-hour the previous weekend.
Sophie Wright was runner up with 33.45mins. Other Spalding Times: Andrew Gurney 25.26mins, Mark Hills 26.07mins, Tom Wright 26.29mins, Will Gurney 27.10mins and Sam Bentley, back in action with 27.34mins.
Team Swift’s Chris Ward clocked 22.17mins to be fastest guest, while the ever-consistent Josh Wallis (Velo One) posted 22.36mins and Callum McPartlin (Spalding Tri) made a welcome return with 22.49mins.
Bourne Wheelers’ Tim Lister clocked 23.20mins, while Fenland RC’s Ian Fensom finished in 24.41mins.
Adam Ellis (Velo One) also completed the course in 25.27mins.
