Racing News

Southend Wheelers were out at Steeple on Wednesday for their 10 miles evening time trial. Robin Bevan proved to be the strongest on the day to return a time of 24mins, 58secs. Runner up was Mike Hennessy in 26mins, 52secs, with Stephen Dalby taking 3^rd spot in 27mins, 18secs. Jenny Patience was fastest lady finishing with a time of 29mins, 22secs with Carol Cartwright second in 34mins, 4secs. There were no junior members competing as they had spent the day at Hog Hill road race training and needed a rest from their efforts.
 

On Thursday the Wheelers fielded an eight strong team in the Ford CC 4^th category race at Dunton that had attracted a field of 50 competitors. The race started at a fast pace with a number of riders trying to break clear of the main field. The Southend pair of Graham Pearl and Martin Elms tried a number of times to establish a gap, but the pack was having none of it and each attempt was closely marked. The pattern for the race was therefore established and it all came down to a massive sprint for the line. Martin Elms lead round the last curve into the finishing straight, but was unable to hold off the chasing pack and was overtaken before the line. Best placed riders from the Southend were Dave Whybrow 11^th, Graham Pearl 13^th and Ben Willy 14^th. With the exception of Mike MacCarthy, who pulled out with mechanical trouble, the remainder of the wheelers all finished out of the podium places in the main bunch. 

On Sunday the Southend’s veterans were at Hog Hill for the Hogensberg Classic veterans races. In the 60 plus race, Dave Whybrow achieved 6^th place and Roy Godbeer finished 11^th. The winner was Colin Manakee from the Glendene CC. Also on Sunday there was a good turnout at Canewdon for the training and social rides.