Mercia Report 16-04-07
Matt Simons finishes in 27th place in Hilly time-trial, Peter Rose competes in veterans time-trial, and David Clark races in the Girvan 3 day in Scotland.
The third evening time-trial was over 10 miles, in warm still conditions. David Clarke, who had just returned from racing in Scotland was the fastest in 23:37. In second place was Christian Aucote (Plan B) in 23:55, and in third place was Sean Sleigh (Plan B) in 25:36. The rest of the competitors times were as follows Keith Staley 25:43. Gary Brown 25:51. Steve Herriman (Plan B) 27:08, Mick Skivington (Plan B) 27:16, Simon Parker 27:22, Alex Taylor 27:24, Ivor James 27:33, Tony Pickance (Plan B) 28:11, Mark Eccleston 28:43, James Allen (Plan B) 30:32, Peter Rose 35:20, and Stan Crofts 35:42.
Matt Simmons was one of 58 competitors in the Leicestershire Road Club’s Hilly 25 mile time-trial held on the Queniborough, Tilton, Somerby course, with a time of 1:09:16, he finished in 27th place. The fastest rider was Matt. Bottrill (De Rosa R.T) in 57:43.
Peter Rose was pleased with his time of 30:52 in the Birmingham & Midlands Veterans 10 mile time-trial held at Princethorpe in Warwickshire. The winner was Richard Bradley (Arctic Shorter Rochford) in 21:04. It was the first event of a series of 5 events counting towards a points competition in which Rose finished 5th in the 60 to 65 age group in 2006.
Although David Clarke didn’t have a good start in the first stage of the Girvan 3 day stage race, in the Scottish Borders over Easter, when he crashed on the first 62 mile stage loosing over 10 minutes. The 2nd stage was a 16 mile criterium in Victoria Park Girvan, where David contested the lap sprints without any mishaps. In stage 3 the longest stage over 108 miles he was 7th only 59 seconds behind the winner Ian Wilkinson (Science in Sport / Trek). In the 4th & final stage over 72 miles he broke away with New Zealander: Gordon McCauley (Plowman Cravens / Evans Cycles). After picking more points up in the sprints & the king of the mountains competition they were caught by the main field after 40 miles. Dean Downing (Rapha Conder R.T) won the stage. Clarke was 9th only 7 seconds behind the winner Downing. Ian Wilkinson was the overall winner of the stage race. Clarke finished 20th, 12 minutes behind Wilkinson. He was in the prizes though, finishing 2nd in both the sprints & king of the mountains competition.
Posted by Pete Rose on Monday, April 16, 2007
