Mercia Report 18-07-10

Despite wet conditions five Mercia HBM riders were in the 30 cyclists who raced in the 60km 3rd & 4th category race at Mallory Park. The most successful was Christian Aucote who finished in 4th place. Phil Machin finished in 11th place but was just out of getting some category points. Ewan Davidson, Peter Collins & Simon Parker all finished in the bunch. The winner was Toby Rose (Loughborough Students CC).

David Clarke’s best result to date was in the Surrey League Bike Radar Road Race held at Brands Hatch. The 2-hour race saw him finish in 7th place; his Pendragon Colnago teammate Yanto Barker was the winner.

The Plan Racing club & The South Pennine Road Club combined to run a 25-mile time trial on the popular Etwall to Uttoxeter course. The time trial was restricted to slower riders who hadn’t gone faster than 59 minutes in the last 3 years, which included 4 Mercia HBM riders. The fastest of these was Simon Parker in 1 01 23, Mick Skivington timed 1 02 32, Ben Startin 1 03 06 & Tony Marlow 1 04 39. Anne Staley (Plan B) timed 1 03 39. The fastest time was done by Manchester Wheelers' Ian Whittell in 54 43. In the separate tandem event there were 5 pairs of riders. The fastest pair were Jeff Bowler (South Pennine RC) & Kevin Potter (Plan B) timing 52 02. Jim Hopper & Mark Grey (Derby Mercury RC) on a tandem trike timed 1 02 32.

Jack Hugill & Matt Simons competed in Warwickshire Road Club’s 25-mile time trial on the Salford Priors, Alcester Evesham course. The climb towards the Evesham Island is particularly steep, therefore times were relatively slow. Hugill timed 1 01 46 & Simons 1 02 28. Shorter Rochford RT rider Richard Bradley timed 52 10 to win the time trial.

Due to the wet conditions only 3 riders competed in the last evening time trial. The scheduled 10 mile time trial was reduced to one 5 mile lap on the Anslow course .The times were as follows Keith Staley 13 17, Jeff Slinn 13 47 & Nick Chapman (South Derbyshire Runners) 15 41 on his touring bike complete with mudguards.