2 June 1985 - National 25
Sunday 2 June 1985, Southend Wheelers in partnership with Basildon Council, promoted the National 25-mile time trial on the E31 course (A127) as part of the Festival of Sport.
Over the years the club has promoted a wide range of elite cycling events across the different cycling disciplines from Road racing, Town Centre and Sea front criteriums, Time trialling, Cyclo-Cross and MTB.
The event attracted and elite field of riders; Daryl Webster, former Olympian (Manchester Wheelers), Ian Cammish, Eddie Atkins and Charlie Williamson (all GS Strada), all eager to ride on one of the fastest courses in the country at that time. Malcolm Davies and Michael Hennessy were both representing the Wheelers on the day.
Perfect conditions on the day gave defending champion Daryl Webster the win in 51 mins 16 sec – 56 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, whilst the GS Strada team took the combined team award on the day in 2 hrs 41 mins 30 secs.
Club riders Michael Hennessy and Malcolm Davies finished in remarkable close times of 57:20 (81st) and 57:26 (85th) respectively.
Later that month the club went on to promote its flag ship event, the Rayleigh Town Centre Grand Prix.
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