Sunday 6th June saw Newbury Road Club’s Time Trial program decamp from Berkshire and cross the Ridgeway for its annual foray into Oxfordshire for the club’s 2nd Open Time Trial of the season. The event was held on the popular 10-mile course based on the A420 near Kingston Bagpuize. This year the event saw its biggest field for some time with almost 90 riders including a dozen women and 3 tandems.
The day started on a note of pessimism, as an ominous forecast suggested thundery showers around 3pm. However, as riders came to the line the biggest problem seemed more likely to be sunburn and the showers held back for the duration of the event. Riders were treated to warm and almost wind free conditions which in turn led to some good times for many in the field.
The event started with a race within a race as the women took to the road at the head of the field. While regular Newbury Open event riders Serpentine Running Club brought strength in numbers, honours in the women’s event went to scratch rider Jo Buckland (FTP Racing) 22m 52s almost a minute ahead of 2nd place Teresa Robbins (Reading CC) 23m 47s who in turn was almost a minute ahead of 3rd place Yasmeen Mahmoud (Viceroys Tri Club) 24m 42s, with Joy Payne (High Wycombe) 4th in 25:19s.
In the men’s event, positions at the top were much more closely fought out. The top 3 riders all rode sub-20 minute riders – averaging over 30mph – with Robert West (Aerocoach) finally taking the victory in 19m 32s. Closely behind Robert, Liam Maybank (Twickenham CC) finished 2nd in 19m 35s with David Holland (Cowley Road Condors) 19m 50s in 3rd place, with Tim Lewis (Ful-on Tri) 4th in 20:36s.
The finale of the event was the Tandem battle with 3 pairs seeking glory. Honours went to the pairing of Ian Greenstreet and Rachael Elliott (Newbury Velo) recording another sub 20 minute ride of 19m 44s. While 2nd place went to Peter Oliver and Mark Cox (Zero BC RT), mention must be given to the third pairing of David Newman and 11 year old daughter Hannah (Westerly CC) – how great to see such young riders in the sport.
Among the veterans, rides against standard were equally closely fought out and while prizes were awarded this year in age categories - Liam Maybank recorded the highest plus on the day of a +7.11. A notable ride was done by Brian Jones from Bicester Millenium CC who not only recorded a 10 mile PB but was well within his VTTA age standard of 32:38
The team prize was awarded to John Franklin, Gavin Mitchell, Liam Maybank – Twickenham CC in 01:03:07 (agg).
While many members of the Newbury RC were helping out with the event, mention must be given to the team of home club riders, Wei Tsung Yau 24m 56s, Graham Morrison 24m 57s and Cliff Voller 25m 05s (also winner of the Vets 70-74 category), the three finishing in 51st, 52nd and 53rd positions respectively.
Riders were treated to a substantial array of cakes on the day and a sum of £106.25 was raised for Thames Valley Air Ambulance.
These events are not possible without the help of volunteers and so Many
Thanks to Bob Lyle (finish timekeeping), Ian Lakey (start timekeeping and course signs), William Emons (assistant timekeeping and signage), Steve Dawes (assisting at the start), Debbie Dawes, Dave Martin, Peter Booroff, Kurien Philip (marshalling), Justin Lakey (photographs), Sian Lakey (assisting at the HQ and cakes), Rachael Elliott, Graham and Alicia Morrison (cakes).
All Photos Here
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