The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Cycling Club’s talented “Go-Ride” team were in fine form at the Heckington Show grass track events on Saturday.
A new-look team, which consisted of mixed ages and experience levels, finished a fantastic third overall behind Witham Wheelers and Bourne Wheelers.
The team of Jack Bowser, Ben Norton, Ed Gurney, Tom Wright, Sophie Wright and Will Gurney all produced tremendous performances to ensure Spalding were on the podium.
Their stand-out team performance saw them post the second fastest time of the day for the team sprint – while a fine win from Tom Wright in the boys’ category C/D/E sprint event served a
much-needed confidence boost for the squad ahead of the upcoming Mildenhall weekend in August.
In the senior events, a welcome return to the grass for Will Hare saw him ride well against strong and experienced teams, including national champions, in some very fast and furious racing.
- Last Tuesday should have seen Spalding members return to action in the ten mile time trial league.
However, due to resurfacing work on the usual and the alternative course, cancellation was necessary.
Despite the setback, activity still continued as three members travelled to ride in Boston Wheelers’ evening ten mile event instead.
Despite windy conditions Andy Bowser posted a fine 23.56mins, while Barry Drew finished on 28.31mins and Bill Wood recorded 33.17mins.
- Spalding’s second claim riders have been busy lately, with Jake Norton (riding for Sherwood Pines SRAM RT) enjoying a string of good results in a very successful summer MTB season.
The most recent of these came at the MTB XC National Championships on the highly technical Olympic MTB course at Hadleigh Park. Competing in the juvenile men’s race within a field of 31 –
and despite crashing and the delay after checking the bike – he rode to finish seventh overall in a time of 59.48mins and best finisher of his team.
- On both hard and grass track, Spalding’s Tilly Gurney (riding out the rest of her final season in the Shutt Velo team colours) has continued her successful season with more podium places.
Her latest success has seen her bag two wins and a second place in events at the Scunthorpe track.
At the Heckington Show – and with dispensation to ride amongst the seniors – Gurney wasted no time in showing her skills, especially in the short distance events.
She justified her inclusion at senior level with some determined and brave racing.
Riding off a handicap of 20m in the 400m sprint, she stayed at the head of the race and took a convincing win of several bike lengths from an in form and highly experienced Henrietta Colbourne in second position.
