Mercia Report 20-04-08

The first 10 mile evening time trial saw David Clarke again the fastest when he timed 23min 34 seconds. Sean Sleigh (Plan B) was second again in 24 42. Noel Adams was the first Mercia HBM rider in 3rd place in 25 38. The rest of the times were Keith Staley 26 36, Richard Knott 27 26, Mick Skivington (Plan B) 27 36, Simon Parker 27 43, Neil Waters (CC Giro) 28 48, Mark Sheffield 28 51, Ivor James 29 23, Tony Marlow 30 40, Adrian Waters 32 39, Neil Sleigh (Plan B) 32 40 & Pete Rose 35 44. The first three positions on handicap were Ivor James 22 33, Simon Parker 22 53 & Mark Sheffield 23 01.

David Clarke (Team Lacuna) finally got his first road race win of the season in the Ham Hill road race held at Yeovilton Camp in Somerset over 96 km, beating John Pain (Team GWR) in the sprint to the finishing line. Favourite to win the race Tom Southam (Halford’s Bike Hut)crashed out of the race early on.

Mercia HBM CC promoted the Burton & District Alliance 25 time trial on the Etwall Uttoxeter course on Sunday in cold wet & windy conditions. Mercia riders Matt Simons & Ivor James both started & finished the time trial in 1 01 20 & 1 12 59 respectively. The event was won by the favourite James Perkins (Zenith CC) in 52 25.