The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Ben Moore was a part of the winning team for a third year on the spin at Spalding Cycling Club’s 2up ten-mile time trial championships.
Having emerged victorious in 2015 and 2016, Moore and new partner Andy Bowser were strong favourites ahead of the annual event.
And, on the windy and exposed out and back course, it took the duo just 22.30mins to confirm the theory with an impressive gap of 1.25mins over nearest challengers Kieran Buffham and Frazer Wallis.
Third place on the podium went to the well-established pairing of Ross McGivern and Mark Hills with 24.40mins – just 19 seconds slower than their 2016 time.
There was a similar story for the best guests of the night – Velo One’s Neil Palmer and Josh Wallis.
They took 21.25mins in 2016, while this time round the finish time was 21.52mins.
In the overall standings Matt Ellis and Velo One’s Adam Ellis were across the line on 23.13mins.
Another father and son combination, Spalding’s Simon and Tom Wright, put in a strong ride of 25.01mins. That was a 34 second improvement on their 2016 time.
Another rare appearance from Tom Webster and Simon Hare saw them complete the course with 28.39mins, while the only mixed team – Bowlphish Racing’s Tilly Gurney and her brother Will – got back in 27.19mins.
Foregoing his usual ‘pusher-off’ duties to make a welcome return to racing, Adrian Thurston teamed up with Bill Wood and posted 36.02mins for the Lanterne Rouge award.
Two solo rides were also recorded by Brian Johnson and Team Swift’s Chris Ward.They finished with 31.25mins and 25.38mins respectively.
- Despite the forecast of rain, the second race event in the Go Green Grass Track Series – this time organised by Bourne Wheelers – attracted a good sized field and allowed teams valuable track time in final preparation for the prestigious Heckington Show races.
With and Jack and Velvet Bowser still on holiday, it was down to Ed Gurney and Tom Wright to fly the flag for Spalding – along with second claim member Tilly Gurney (Bowlphish Racing).
It was a repeat of the last round as another third place overall went to Wright in the under-16s category.
- Counting as the club’s 50-mile championship, this year’s LRRA 50-mile time trial attracted just five club members.
Three of those had ridden the event in 2016 so it was either the event or, in Sarah Bentley’s case, the distance which suits.
For Ross McGivern, the event gave him what is believed to be a new personal best (PB) of 2.06.44hrs – faster than his 2016 time of 2.09.05hrs.
Simon Wright made it back in 2.15.16hrs, with his 2016 time just 14 seconds slower.
With Bentley’s attempt on the 12hr event just a couple of weeks away, distance is more of a priority than outright speed.
Nevertheless, it was another indication that her form is good as the 2.28.32hrs she clocked was just 17 seconds slower than her 2016 time.
Chris Bettinson was hit by a last minute puncture and was unable to start, while second claim member Neil Palmer (Velo One) completed the race but his undoubtedly quick finish time is still awaiting confirmation.
