Mercia Report 30-08-09

The nominated event for the Mercia HBM CC's 50 mile Championship was changed to the Congleton Cycling Club's event held on a 18 mile circuit in Cheshire between Cranage, Twemlow Green, Jodrell Bank, Chelford, Knutsford & returning to Cranage along the A50. It is not a fast course due to the many islands, turns & the rough road surface. In his first 50 mile time trial Jack Hugill timed 2 09 37 to win the championship. Due to a back problem Peter Rose struggled to complete the 50 miles in 3 09 06. His efforts were rewarded with the surprise “Lanterne Rouge” prize (a set of cycle lights) for the slowest rider. The event winner was John Morgan (Preston Wheelers) 1 50 47. Sixty six riders entered the time trial.

In very windy conditions Jack Hugill timed 24 10 in the North Notts Olympic 10 mile time trial held between Carlton on Trent, Tuxford & Sutton on Trent. The fastest rider was Matt Sinclair (Leicestershire RC) in 20 16.

David Clark (Pendragon Kalas) competed in 3 more road races with 9th place in the Premier Richmond Grand Prix in Yorkshire over 84 miles. The first 54 miles were on a hilly circuit then finishing with three 10 mile circuits round Richmond. Clarke finished 4 minutes behind the winner 21 year old Alex Dowsett (100% ME RT) who broke away in a group of seven riders. In the SIS Criterium League Race no 20 held over 1 hour round Preston University Clark was 10th. The winner was Simon Wilson (Arctic Premier RT). In another race in Wiltshire, the Generation Sports & Cycle Summer Series on Upavon Airfield he was 13th. First over the finishing line was William Bjergfelt (Sports Bean Willer).

The penultimate 5 mile evening time trial was won by Sean Sleigh. Fourteen riders competed in the time trial on a fine evening doing 1 lap of the Anslow circuit. The results were as follows. Sean Sleigh (Plan B) 11 44, Daniel Partington (Plan B) 12 21, Jack Hugill 12 49, Alec Taylor 13 39, Simon Parker 13 41, Justin Waters 13 56, Neil Sleigh (Plan B) 14 20, Doughy Pratt 14 26, Adrian Waters 15 35, Andy Burton 15 42, Phil Knott 15 56, Peter Rose 17 10 & David Peters 18 31.