Mercia Report 10-08-08

Heanor Clarion's popular 25 mile time trial on the Etwall Uttoxeter course for the slowest 120 riders saw two Mercia HBM riders competing. Matt Simons timed 59 54 to go under the hour for the first time this season. Keith Staley finished in 1 03 08. Derby Mercury rider Andy Eagers was the fastest in 53 36.

Jim Hopper from Yoxall also in the Derby Mercury recorded 366.31 miles on his tricycle to finish in 22nd place in the National 24 hour Championship organised by Mersey Road Club based on the village of Farndon near Chester. Two other Derby Mercury riders also rode on solos. Steve Massey covered 442.38 miles to finish in 7th place. Peter Turner finished in 25th place with 353.47 miles. Despite the hot conditions Nicolas Gardner (John's Bikes Racing Team) recorded 510.09 miles to win the event with the second highest mileage in the event. It was also the 4th time he had won the championship.

Last Weekend's Burton & District Cycling Alliance 50 mile Time Trial was cancelled due to heavy rain on the A50, denying Noel Adams & Peter Rose an event to compete in. The 50 mile TT is rescheduled for the end of September.

The wet weather also saw the number of riders competing in the evening 10 mile time trial down to seven. The times recorded were as follows. Sean Sleigh (Plan B) 24 02, Daniel Partington (Plan B) 25 36, Keith Staley 26 28, Neil Sleigh (Plan B) 28 33, Adrian Waters 29 33, Peter Rose 36 29 & at 1 lap Dave Peters 17 59.