by Ian Lakey
After a reduced racing season in 2020 and despite the ongoing pandemic, the gradual relaxation of restrictions allowed 2021 to return to what was almost a full calendar of events. The season lost a few early events, but restrictions were lifted in time for racing to begin in earnest in April. From there on we had a clear run with the weather being generally kind and no impact to events during the year.
During the year there have been numerous PB's, lifetime bests, new club records and medals a plenty. Many riders can feel very satisfied with their season and their performances.
SPOCO mark a welcome return
In terms of events and the club calendar, perhaps one of the most notable items was the welcome return of the SPOCO (Sporting Courses) competition. The competition has been missing from the calendar for 5 years. Held on a reduced number of potential courses, SPOCO events put a different slant on Time Trials and might well be a bigger part of the sport in future. These events typically require more in terms of skill and bike handling than the all-out power and speed of a typical TT course. The competition saw Marion Templeman (National Champion in her age category at the British Triathlon Championships earlier in the year) win the ladies’ series while long standing club member and regular club rider, Andy Laycock, took the men’s competition.
Super-woman shows the way
In terms of performances, it was a great year for many club riders. Once again our very own ‘super-woman’, Claire Emons put in some stunning performances and notched up yet more club records. Finishing as 2nd Woman with a new Women’s 50 mile club record 1hr 53m 58s in the Shaftesbury CC event and then 2nd Woman again for the A3CRG Flying 15 on the A3 with a new club record time of 34m 12s. Claire didn’t stop there though, flying the flag for Newbury RC she was 3rd Woman and 5th overall in the VTTA National 50 mile Championship, 3rd in the Best British All Rounder Two Distance competition and 10th Overall (and 3rd lady) in the Vets Short Distance competition and set 3 London and Home Counties Veteran Age Records over 15, 25 and 50 miles.
Re-invigorated Cliff sets a new record
For the men it was Cliff Voller that put Newbury’s name on the map across the country. Despite considering an end to his racing career at the start of the season, a re-invigorated Cliff was an age category winner in the English National 100 and Welsh National 25 championships. He set a new age-related West Veteran record and NRC Veteran age record for 100 miles in 4:13:18 for a 70 year old, he also set NRC Veteran age records for 15 (36:38) and 25 (57:58) miles.
Outstanding performances all round
On the club scene, mention must be made of newcomer Wei Tsung Yau who had an exceptional season continuing to improve throughout the year having been a new rider to Time Trials in 2020. Wei has gone from strength-to-strength riding most of the club events in 2021 as well as his first Open events. He finished with a season’s best 24m 14s for 10 miles, and just missing out on a sub hour ride for 25 miles in 1hr 0m 33s. His consistent improvement is reflected in him winning the club Evening 10 Handicap competition and also the award for Best Newcomer.
Over the shorter distances, Tim Cartwright put in a strong performance in the Championship 10 to win in 20m 23s, while it was Andy Laycock’s consistently good times through the year that saw him take the Stonham Six Best Evening 10 series. For the ladies’, Claire Emons took both the Ladies’ 10 Championship in 23m 19s as well as the overall Vets 10 title.
Over the middle distances, Claire Emons 58m 27s and Andy Laycock 55m 07s took the ladies’ and men’s 25 mile titles respectively while Claire also won the Vets 25 mile trophy and the best 25 mile improvement. Over 50 miles it was Tristan Davenne that triumphed winning the club 50 Championship in 1hr 51m 1s.
Moving up to the longer distances, over 100 miles Cliff Voller won out in 4h 13m 18s while also taking both men’s multi-distance ‘Best All Rounder BAR’ competitions. For the ladies it was Claire Emons who took the ladies’ BAR.
Finally to the club’s two 25 mile handicap competitions. Here the playing field is levelled up giving a great opportunity for some newer TT riders to give it their all and win some silver. This season was no exception with both events won by relative newcomers to TT racing. The Smith Handicap (men) and Alice Haller (ladies) events are run over the HCC247 course (Newbury – Froxfield) on the same evening and were won by Allan Bartlett and Marion Templeman, while the Burns Handicap run over the H25/1 course (Thatcham – Theale) was won by Peter Fuell.
Our thanks go to Gareth Ian Davies for superb photography of these events during 2021.
Full Competition and Trophy Results
10 MILE TT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP (Men)
1ST TIM CARTWRIGHT 20:23
10 MILE TT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP (Ladies)
1ST CLAIRE EMONS 23:19
VETERAN’S 10 MILE TT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
1ST CLAIRE EMONS +6:16
STONHAM 6 X 10 SHIELD
1ST ANDY LAYCOCK 2:11:41
TATE HANDICAP 10 MILE TT TROPHY
1ST WEI TSUNG YAU 37 POINTS
25 MILE TT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP (Men)
1ST ANDY LAYCOCK 55:07
25 MILE TT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP (Ladies)
1ST CLAIRE EMONS 58:27
VETERAN’S 25 MILE TT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
1ST CLAIRE EMONS +16:26
MIKE PERCIVAL CUP (3 X 25 MILE IMPROVEMENT)
1ST CLAIRE EMONS +7:33
50 MILE TT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
1ST TRISTAN DAVENNE 1:51:01
100 MILE TT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
1ST CLIFF VOLLER 4:13:18
ALICE HALLER – LADIES 25 MILE HANDICAP
1ST MARION TEMPLEMAN 55:25
SMITH HANDICAP – 25 MILE
1ST ALLAN BARTLETT 52:43
BURNS HANDICAP – 25 MILE
1ST PETER FUELL 01:02:03
MENS SPOCO
1st ANDY LAYCOCK 60 POINTS
LADIES SPOCO
1st MARION TEMPLEMAN 40 POINTS
SENIOR MENS BAR
1ST CLIFF VOLLER 23.95mph
LADIES BAR
1ST CLAIRE EMONS 27.15mph
VETERAN’S BAR
1ST CLIFF VOLLER +2:00:43
MEN’S HILL CLIMB TROPHY
1ST TRISTAN DAVENNE 16:37
WOMEN’S HILL CLIMB TROPHY
1ST CLAIRE EMONS
NON- AERO COMPETITION
1ST IAN LAKEY
BEST NEWCOMER
WEI TSUNG YAU