Mercia Report 14-06-09

This year's 25 mile 5 man team time trial competition between South Pennine RC, Derby Mercury, Heanor Clarion & Mercia HBM was held on the Etwall Uttoxeter course in perfect wind free conditions, with Mercia riders doing personal bests. The fastest Mercia rider was Simon Smith in 3rd place in 55 44. Matt Simons was 7th in 56 40. Keith Staley was 13th in 58 04. Jack Hugill timed 1 00 18, a personal best. Also Simon Parker 1 00 36 (personal best) Peter Collins 1 02 30 & Mark Eccleston 1 04 51, also a personal best. The fastest of the 30 riders was Charles Taylor (South Pennine RC) 51 52. Mercia HBM were 3rd with the 5 fastest riders totalling 4 51 22. South Pennine RC were 2nd in 4 43 14 & 1st were Derby Mercury in 4 41 02.

Also run at the same time as the inter club 25.The Mercia HBM 10 mile evening time trial had 11 competitors on the Yoxall, Constitution Island Lichfield course. Plan B's Sean Sleigh was first in 22 41. David Clarke ( Pendragon / Kalas) was 2nd in 23 15. 3rd fastest was Mercia's Gary Brown in 25 22, followed by Jeff Slinn 27 01, Ben Startin 27 40, Tony Marlow 29 08, Mick Abbott 29 43, Adrian Waters 29 49, Keiron Patterson 29 58, Debbie Clarke 31 32, & Peter Rose 32 49.

In the Nottingham & East Midlands VTTA 25 mile time trial held on the Six Hills Widmerpool course. Simon Smith timed 55 12 The winner was Andy Profitt (Arctic Premier RT) in 52 34.

Five Mercia riders were amongst the 82 riders who entered the Heanor Clarion's 10 mile time trial at Etwall. The returning 5 miles from Foston was against a strong easterly wind, loosing the time gained on the wind assisted outward leg. The fastest of the five was Keith Staley in 23 34. Gary Brown was only 15 seconds behind him in 23 49. Ivor James timed 28 55, Peter Rose 31 28 & Debbie Clarke 32 00. The winner was Martin Garner (I ride Racing Team) in 20 48.