Time Trial and Racing News

Southend Wheelers held the second of their evening 10 miles time trials out at Steeple on Wednesday. In mild calm conditions the times were much improved from the previous week. Robin Bevan proved to be the fastest on the day recording a time of 24mins, 51secs. In second spot was Keith Dalton with 25mins, 48secs and third place went to Martin Elms in 26mins exactly. Denise Kemp took first lady place with a time of 29mins, 25secs, improving her time from the previous week by more than two minutes. Matt Kane was fastest junior/youth with a Personal Best of 28mins, and 8secs, while 12 years old sister Hannah improved with a PB of 33mins, 59secs.
 

On Saturday the Wheelers were in action at Hog Hill in the Eastern Counties Cycling Association Festival. In the under 14’s race Hannah Kane took third girl place and finished 10th overall. Matt Kane competing in the under 16’s race finished in 10th place.

In the Elite, 1,2,3 Category ECCA Senior Circuit Race Championship, Wheelers junior George Pearl, who recently stepped up to 2nd category, lined up in his first race in an unexpectedly good quality field. Starting alongside 5 professional and 6 semi-professional riders including a number of national champions, Pearl got off to an understandably nervous start, but soon settled into his favoured position amongst the front few riders. Right from the start the top riders began attacking to try and establish a breakaway group from the main bunch. Pearl's racing style has always been to throw caution to the wind and go for the win. He was in most of the early attacks but missed the break of four riders that eventually stayed away to the end. It was lack of tactical experience at this level rather than fitness that kept Pearl out of the podium places, finishing in a creditable 20th place in the rush to the line. The winner was an Elite rider Adam Norris riding for Orbea – For Goodness Shakes.

Within five minutes of finishing, Pearl lined up again for the Junior Championship which was run within a 3rd and 4th Category race. He is preparing for the national Junior Road Race Championships later in May and the opportunity for back to back races couldn’t be missed. In a confidence boosting performance he was still able to compete despite his earlier efforts. However, there was none of his trademark attacks and at the finish his sprint deserted him, finishing exhausted, but with a better measure of his limits. On Sunday Graham Pearl and Peter Humphreys competed in the Finsbury Park CC veteran’s road race at Blackmore and both figured in early attacks. At the halfway point two riders broke clear of the main pack and were able to stay ahead to the finish. Pearl and Humphreys remained at the front of the action to the finish, but with one mile to go Pearl punctured and his race was done. Humphreys finished well placed in the bunch sprint to the line.