The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A young and largely untested team of Spalding Cycling Club riders finished in a highly-creditable fourth place at the Heckington Show.
Spalding were competing against Go Ride teams from Bourne Wheelers, Sleaford and Witham Wheelers on a fast and furious circuit in front of a packed audience.
It was a major event for the Spalding members in a programme of races organised by Richard and Elaina Kennedy on the arena’s grass track.
Third in 2015, the Spalding team of Jack and Velvet Bowser, Mimi Gurney and Ed Gurney, Tom Wright and Will Gurney posted an early fast time for the team sprint and fought it out in the other races against older and stronger rival teams.
Mimi Gurney stepped into the line-up at the last minute, replacing the experienced Ben Norton, and didn’t disappoint by riding all her events strongly.
Bourne Wheelers took first and second overall with Witham Wheelers completing the podium. Sleaford’s teams came in fifth and sixth places.
Spalding’s Tilly Gurney and Chris Bettinson rode in the senior category events.
Bronze medallist at the National 800m Championships this year, Tilly was on great form, putting in her usual strong performances in every event on what could be described as her home track.
Riding for EM Velocita, Tilly almost managed to repeat her 2015 400m Handicap win by comfortably winning her heat.
But, despite a fight, had to settle for second in the final behind the ever-consistent Giant Rutland Store team’s George Thompson.
But, despite a fight, had to settle for second in the final behind the ever-consistent Giant Rutland Store team’s George Thompson.
Chris chose Heckington as his grass track debut, lining up against vastly experienced regular grass track riders and riding creditably well.
Jake Norton overcame traffic delays to get to Alconbury just in the time for an MTB race where he finished 10th overall.
The Tuesday TT was quiet on an evening that appeared to promise fast times on the Out and Back course which looks set to remain in use for the rest of the season.
Fastest overall was regular visitor Josh Wallis of Velo One in 22.42, just eight seconds ahead of Ben Moore whose 22.50, in a reversal of the previous week’s finish order, put him ahead of Andy Bowser’s 23.10.
Fourth and fifth places overall went to Velo One’s Adam Ellis in 23.38 with Matt Ellis riding for Spalding as second claim in a finish time of 24.39.
A consistent finish order in varying combinations in recent weeks has been Ross McGivern, Simon Wright and Mark Hills.
For McGivern 24.46 is a favourite time – this was the third event this season he has recorded that time.
The most recent was last week in a dead heat with Wright, who could not quite manage the same again but recorded 24.59 instead. Hills’ 25.21 was also slightly slower than the previous weeks 25.13.
Guest rider Paul Matthews from Fenland RC posted 25.41, ahead of Frazer Wallis who made it back in 25.53 – just off his personal best ride time – while Natasha Tooley got back down to 27.50 to finish first lady.
Just one second later Kieran Buffham crossed the line and a further second back with 27.52 was Barry Drew. Gary Bentley tied in a dead heat with Sarah Bentley exactly one minute later while Lanterne Rouge went to Derek Chamberlain with 30.50.
