The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Ben Moore and Tom Wright set the pace at Spalding Cycling Club’s Mix and Match 2-up ten mile time trial event.
The officials and spectators almost outnumbered the riders entered in this year’s competition, with only seven members taking the start line on what must have been one of the coldest and windy nights of the year so far.
Despite that – or maybe because of the urgency to get back into the warm – some fast times were posted.
With most opting to use road bikes rather than their usual TT bikes, it took Ben Moore and Tom Wright just 26.19mins to cover the distance.
They were 19 seconds quicker than the 26.38mins posted by the second-placed team Simon Wright and Mark Hills, while a new and untried combination of Nigel Howard and Keiran Buffham finished in 27.08mins.
As there was an odd number of entrants and none of the spectators could be persuaded to start, Andrew Gurney rode a lonely race to clock 28.58mins, doubtless saving his legs for the next individual TT.
- Spalding’s ten mile League battle resumed with a field of 16 club members and five guests.
This was a faster night, with a selection of personal best (PB) times reported and improvements for others on their best times so far this season.
At the top of the standings, Moore bagged his second win with 22.56mins, a clear 58 seconds ahead of Buffham – whose 23.54mins was a PB.
Gurney, with those extra miles in his legs from his ride at the 2-up, crossed the line in 24.17mins, which is also believed to be a PB.
A finish time of 24.42mins, albeit one second quicker than his round two time, was enough for Ross McGivern to take fourth.
The other reported PBs went to Richard Flatters (26.51mins) and Will Gurney (26.56mins).
In the ladies’ competition, Sarah Bentley – in her first outing of the season – posted 29.56mins, throwing down a challenge to Sophie Wright and Nicole Flatters, who recorded 33.16mins and 35.00mins respectively.
Other Spalding CC times: Mark Hills (25.01mins); Simon Wright (25.32mins), Nigel Howard (27.19mins), Barry Drew (27.45mins), Brian Johnson (32.58mins); Ed Gurney (34.08mins – believed to be a PB).
Making the most of the conditions, Spalding’s guest riders were well rewarded with Velo One’s Adam Ellis – on his first ride at the course this season – finishing in 23.43mins ahead of Ian Fensom, whose 24.08mins was 22 seconds quicker than his round two time.
Separated by just nine seconds, the Bourne Wheelers’ pair of Bryn and Gareth Richards completed their rides in 25.47mins and 25.56mins.
Meanwhile, Bowlphish Racing’s Tilly Gurney rode another consistent time trial with 28.39mins – a time which, if the results were combined, would have been 12th place overall and first lady.
