|
|
|
On Wednesday Southend Wheelers held their 10 miles time trial on a damp
and cool evening out at Steeple. David Bryant was fastest returning a
time of 24mins, 36secs. Fifteen years old Simon Alexander recorded an
excellent 25mins, 21secs for second place and Jenny Patience was placed
third with a season’s best time of 27mins and 8secs. Fourteen years old
Matthew Kane returned another personal best with 29mins, 51secs. The 80 miles event started in damp windy conditions, but with the roads drying rapidly. The reasonably flat 5.8 miles circuit with only a gentle climb to the finish, allowed for some excellent racing amongst the field of 54 riders. Within a few laps a small group of riders had broken free from the main bunch and remained clear for 2 ½ laps. At the midway stage of the 13 lap race, a larger group of several riders once again moved clear of the bunch, followed a lap later by a second break-away group each being 30secs apart. The event was controlled throughout by the BMC UK Racing Team who managed to have riders in both breakaways and ultimately finished with 4 riders in the top 5 across the line)
With two laps to go the rain came down in torrents.
The lead group had over 1min lead on the main bunch, separated only by
the now fragmented chasing group reduced to 3 riders and a number of
riders who had managed to pull clear of the main bunch. In the final up
hill sprint to the line, Martin Ford (unattached) crossed the finish
first by a bike length from Ben Thompson (BMC UK Racing Team), followed
by Phil Hetzel (Ipswich Thanks goes out to Southend Wheelers who supplied all the race marshals, lead cars and catering personnel, including members who gave up the opportunity to compete in order to help with the organization Photos: Lead group exiting Howe Green with less than 3 miles to go and the winner crossing the line. Photo credit: E Hutson |
|
|
