"This week saw the Wheelers promote their annual evening road race around the Siddington circuit. Eleven Wheelers were amongst the 80 starters in the two events over 33 miles. The under 50s race was the liveliest of the two with attacks starting straight after the neutral zone with the bunch in no mood to let anyone get away. As the race progressed, the attacks started to stretch the bunch and riders bagan to open gaps. The Wheelers Matt Duck was prominent in some of these attacks but the bunch came together for a sprint finish with Chris Quin taking 7th place ahead of Duck (9th), Matt Lawton (10th), Ant Lear (17tth), Damian Bonnatt (22nd) and Ant Allan (26th). The over 50s race saw two former national road race champions and an ex GB international line up alongside the five Wheelers. This race was effectively decided when a break of seven riders went away on the first lap and the bunch lacked the organisation to bring them back. Mick O’Connor and Dave Higham , riding his first event since his accident last October, featured in a number of attacks from the largely uninterested bunch but failed to go with the two riders who clipped off the front with three miles to go. Mark Bethell took the bunch sprint for 10th place with O’Connor 12th and Higham 15th. Colin Lynch, continuing his preparation for the Paralympics world championship, and Dave High finished further back in the bunch. Once again riders were full of praise for the event’s organisation with particular thanks going to Kevin Walford and Pete McGuckian.
The weather has been kind to time trialling over the last couple of weeks and the Wheelers have had mixed fortunes on their travels. Result of the weekend was Marcus Fielden achieving a personal best time of 22.27 in the City RC 10 mile event near Hull, a time which was good enough to give him seventh place overall in a 131 strong field. Veteran Mike Wolstenholme also made the trip and recorded 26.23. Chris Higgs took part in the National 10 mile championship held in the North East and came just outside the top thirty with 27.07. The previous weekend had seen Steve Burke and Roger Wrenn travel to the normally fast 25 mile course at Uttoxeter. However, strong winds meant that both finished with times well below their bests, Burke with 56.02 and Wrenn 1.00.57.
In the season long Wheelers 10 mile championship, Andy Godwin recorded yet another win, just getting the better of Mike Stretch and taking revenge for his defeat the previous week. Godwin recorded 22.43 against Stretch’s 22.54. Ride of the night was Colin Lynch taking third place and setting a personal best for the course with 23.44, just one second better than Marcus Fielden. Fred Wardle continues to build a substantial lead over Bill Renard in the handicap section, although Renard was faster with 25.02 compared to Wardle’s 27.35.
Away from the racing scene, John Jackson continues to organise a very successful series of easy rides for newcomers on a Sunday morning. This week saw nine riders tackle a 100km route to Beeston and enjoy afternoon tea at Brereton Country Park."
Not sure that the off road section on Saturday's club run was quite what Paul and Cath had in mind for their new frames (let alone Paul's Lightweight wheels) although looking at the finish of today's Giro stage it was clearly what they designed for - 20% climb on gravel after a stage that took 7.5 hours to complete. No wonder the winner couldn't even manage a victory salute
