Young Alex Royle (coveryourcar.co.uk RT) continues to hit the headlines. After setting a new junior competition record for the `10` he was at it again at the weekend. This time it was in Saturday’s CDLCA `25` on the A25/11 at Etwall where he knocked 27 seconds off of Alex Dowsett’s junior 25-mile competition record of 50-49, set in 2006.
Royle clocked 50-22 in the event that was won with a course record 48-05 by Matt Bottrill (I Ride RT). The previous record was 48-52, set by Charles McCulloch in last year’s event.
On a near perfect day, still, warm and overcast with a little rain the first 10 riders all got inside 51 minutes.
The Warrington RC 4-up `25` showed Shorter Rochford RT in fine form last Thursday. The trio of Adam Duggleby, Mark Hollton and Charles McCulloch handed out a 2-21 beating to Lyme RC’s Barry Charlton, Andy Bloomer, Paul Robinson and Will Corden with their 49-20.
Saturday’s Worcester St Johns CC `10` went to Alan Cook (Ross-on-Wye & District CC), his 20-44 putting him 38 seconds clear of the promoting club’s Stephen Price. Cwmcarn Paragon’s Andrew Butcher earned third place with 21-57 while Rachel Hobbs (Evesham Wheelers) was best of the girls with 23-45.
The GHS (Midland DC) `10` was won by HarryWhitford (Hinkley CRC), a 22-20 giving him 37 seconds in hand over Dan Staines (Worcester St Johns CC). Joe Page (Team Echelon-Spuik) finished third with 23-15.
Hertfordshire Wheelers `10` saw a fine performance from API-Metrow’s Nino Piccoli when he clocked a winning 18-46. Runner-up Luke Clarke (Team Milton Keynes) had three seconds advantage over third placed Alan Warburton (Leisure Lakes RT) with his 19-31.
Hemel Hempstead CC’s Melanie Conibear claimed the women’s prize with 23-51 while the Middle Markers event went to Graham Brant (Chelmer CC) with 22-17 with Giselle Devlin (Essex Roads CC), 23-27, best woman.
Newbury RC’s 10-mile event was taken by Richard Prebble (Candi TV-Marshalls Pasta RT) his 20-23 eight seconds better than second placed Steve Golla (Sigma Sport)
A course record 50-24 on the P613/25, at Shipton Bellinger, gave Phil Sykes (VC St Raphael) the Sotonia CC `25` on Saturday. The event was also the South DC championship.
Moving on to Sunday and Steve Golla was back in action this time winning the Newbury RC’s `25`. A 52-23 gave him 46 seconds in hand over Richard Legge (London Dynamo).
Wessex RC `50` saw Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers near domination the club taking first and third with Paul Jones and David Pickering and the woman’s spot with Rebecca Evans. Wightlink-offshore RT’s David Dent was caught between the Bournemouth pair, in second with 1-51-17 to the winners 1-50-10.
Lee Bark (Stowmarket & District CC) showed a clear pair of wheels to the opposition in the Godric CC `50`, his 1-45-29 giving him a near 2-00 victory over the RAF’s Dave Green. Laura Gambling (CC Breckland) clocked 2-02-50 for the women’s place.
Alan Cook notched up his second win of the weekend when he rode off with the Hirwaun Wheelers `50` beating former national road champion David Cook (Altura RT) by 4-34.
The Eastern Counties CA `100` and then had to be cancelled on Sunday morning after mist and fog delayed the official start time and then fell foul of local regulations governing the time the E2/100C course could be used.
Monday’s a3crg `25` saw Steve Walkling (Velocity Bikes CC) getting a move on winning with a 49-24 from British Best All Rounder Nik Bowdler (Farnborough & Camberley CC), 50-17. Top woman was Leslie Anne Walkling (a3crg) with a rapid 54-59.