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Southend Wheelers veterans were in action at North Weald Aerodrome on Tuesday evening for the summer series of races. In the race for the over 70’s, cat H, Mike Brushett took a creditable 2nd place while Roy Godbeer finished in 4th place behind the winner Arnold Russell of the Whitewebs CC. Club President, Dave Whybrow competing in the race for all other categories took an excellent 1st place in cat F, 65-70 age group. The vets were in action again on Thursday, this time at the Dunton Test Track. In the over 70’s race Roy Godbeer excelled to take 1st place. Dave Whybrow, Terry Butcher and Graham Pearl all finished in the main bunch of riders in their respective races. while Mike Knott was forced to retire with an injury. On Wednesday the Wheelers held the first of their evening 10 miles time trials on a new course based on quiet roads near Canewdon. Fastest on the day was Mark Elms setting the standard for the course, which in fact is 10.3 miles long, with a time of 26mins, 26secs. Robin Bevan was a close second in 26mins, 37secs, with Keith Dalton filling third spot in 27mins, 24secs. Fastest lady was Jenny Patience who returned a time of 30mins, 38secs, with Denise Kemp runner up with 31mins, 22secs. Fastest youth rider was George Hannah who was placed 4th overall in an excellent t ime of 27mins, 51secs, while Matt Kane was runner up recording 29mins, 13secs. On Saturday the Wheelers vets performed well in the Rapha Condor League of Veteran Racing Cyclists event at the Hogg Hill Racing Circuit. In the race for cat’s E, F, G and H, Roy Godbeer once again took first place in cat H for the over 70’s, while Dave Whybrow took a creditable 10th place overall. In the race for 40 to 50 year olds, Phil Holloway took top honours in cat A and finished in an excellent 2nd place overall. |
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Sunday saw the Wheelers promoting the annual Andrews Trophy 80 miles Road Race based at East Hanningfield. The race for Elite and 1, 2, and 3 cat riders was decided over 14 laps of a 5,7
miles circuit. A cracking pace was set right from the starting gun with three riders breaking
clear of the main pack on the first lap. These three built up a hefty lead approaching one minute
but the main pack were chasing hard and gradually the lead was reduced until with approximately five
laps remaining, they were absorbed into the pack. The pace was furious with so many top riders competing
and suddenly the pack split, with eight riders breaking clear to form the winning break. The eight
soon built up a lead of 2 minutes and were left to contest the sprint to the line. 1st cat riders
took the top three places with Gary Dodd of Sigma Sport Specialized Racing Team proving to be the
strongest to take the top podium position, with Mark Wordsworth of Team Corley Cycles/Alpha RC in
second spot and Andy Lyons of Orbea-For Goodness Shakes taking the 3rd podium place. Second cat rider
Werner Otto of Finchley Racing Team turned in an excellent performance in such a strong field to
finish in 4th place. Of the 48 starters, 44 finished the race that was run at an average speed of over 25mph.
Full results of the Andrews Road Race can be found here |
