"The Wheelers’ Colin Lynch continues to lead the inaugural UCI Para Cycling World Cup series after the second round in Sergovia, Spain. Riding for Ireland, Lynch finished second in the time trial, missing out on gold by 0.4 seconds but beating the reigning world champion by 7 seconds. A broken spoke in the road race meant that Lynch missed out on a further medal but the result kept Lynch in the overall Leaders jersey and means that the next – and final – World Cup event in Canada next month will be decisive. Lynch is currently raising money to finance his trip to Canada and early next month will be travelling to Ireland to attend a seminar for the Irish squad given by three times Tour de France winner Greg Lemond. Lynch’s recent form makes him one of the favourite for the Para Cycling World Championships to be held in Denmark in September and keeps him firmly on track to represent Ireland at next year’s Para Olympics.
Lynch demonstrated his good form when he secured another personal best of 23.19 in the Club 10 mile event on Wednesday night. That time was good enough to give him fifth place overall in the event behind Ian Bradley, who marked his first outing as a Wheeler with a win in 22.01, Chris Quin 22.07 (also a personal best), Andy Godwin 22.29 and, with yet another personal best, Matt Duck 22.42. Further down the field, Bill Renard extended his lead in the handicap competition with 24.13 and, rapidly improving Wendy Potts slashed nearly a minute off her previous fastest with 26.48.
Lynn Skellern and Carle Sherrin both turned in strong performances in the Manchester and District Ladies 25 mile event on the Chelford course. Skellern recorded 1.10.23 with Sherrin just 11 seconds behind her to record a personal best for the course. The Wheelers’ just lost out to Seamons CC in the team competition. In the accompanying men’s event on the same course, Roger Wrenn came second in the veteran’s category with 59.35 and Marcus Fielden recorded 1.01.34. Steve Jackson took a nasty tumble when he tangled with a spectator’s handbag but suffered nothing worse than cuts and bruises.
Jackson was back in action this weekend in the Janus RC 25 mile time trial on the same course and showed few ill effects from his fall when he recorded one of his fastest times this year, 1.01.55. This was just ahead of Marcus Fielden (1.02.04) whilst Steve Burke took sixth place with 55.36. Wrenn travelled to Randy to ride the North Midlands Veterans 25 mile event and finished fourth with 58.20.
Twelve Wheelers took part in the annual Spud Riley Sportive to raise money for Christies. Covering either 54 miles or 100 miles, the route takes in some of the most challenging climbs of the White Peak. In the 54 mile event Georgina, Greg and Sue Rowson finished together in 5.18.15, with Cath Schofield and Peter Wilson a few seconds behind and Paul Roman completing the Wheelers times with 6.09.46. In the 100 mile event, Dave Higham recorded 6.30.03 followed by Kevin Jackson (7.26.01), John Goodsell (7.45.06), Grahan Travis (8.30.39), Claire Logan (8.32.26) and Wayne Marchbank (10.01.41).
This Sunday eighteen Wheelers completed the 100 miles of the Cheshire Cycleway, ably marshalled by Phil Bridge. For several of the riders it was their first attempt at riding this distance and special mention goes to 14 year old Adam Burgess for completing the 100 miles in only his second club ride."
Apologies if I have missed out a personal best or other notable achievement, but I can only report what is reported to me...............
