The 2016 5 Mile Time Trial Championships for Spalding Cycling Club held on April 5 was an exceptional event in terms of conditions, the make-up of the field and quality of racing.
Compared to the cold and windy 2015 race which had a field of eight, the sunny and cool dry weather encouraged 22 club members and 15 guests to line up for timekeepers Sharon Fensom, Nicky Ellis and Jo Bellars.
Seven families were represented with two or more family members riding. Of those, four were from the Wright family while the next biggest group – the Gurneys – included Ed Gurney making his time trial debut in the Under-14s’ category under the watchful eye of his dad. Ed put in a great ride finishing with 18:47 in 21st position.
Due to the size of the field, the usual gap of one minute between each starter was reduced to 30 seconds and with favourable conditions that led to fast and close racing, six riders posted times inside 12 minutes and a new course record of 11:01 was set by guest rider Max Williamson, of the HMT team.
Within the Club Championships, Ben Moore, enjoying some fine early season form, was fastest Spalding member and the only Spalding rider inside 12 minutes (11:31), while Matt Ellis, riding as a second claim member, took both second place and first Under-16 with 12:17.
Ross McGivern made up the podium with 12:36, just 11 seconds quicker than Simon Wright and Mark Hills who tied for 4th place with 12:47. Jake Norton and Will Gurney made up the U16 category with ride times of 13:38 and 14:59 respectively and Tom Wright was best U14 on 16:17.
The ladies’ competition was headed by second claim member Tilly Gurney (10th place, PB of 13:58) – almost two minutes quicker than her 2015 time. Natasha Tooley posted 14:41 for 2nd place while Sophie Wright crossed the line on 17:08 to complete the podium.
Other Spalding times: Andy Barnard, in a return to time trialling, produced 13:25 to claim 6th overall; Derek Chamberlain 13:19; Gary Bentley 13:55 – just ten seconds slower than his 2014 time; Shane Norton 14:35; Richard Flatters 14:53; Paul Kendall 15:36; Barry Drew 16:14; Nicole Flatters 17:50; Super Vet Bill Wood 18:10 and Katie Wright 18:59.
Using their experience on this course as recent Spalding members, guest riders Neil Palmer (Velo One, 11:20) and Chris Ward (Swift RT, 11:28) were 2nd and 3rd overall behind Max Williamson, while best lady guest rider Sian Botteley, of Starley Racing, posted 13:26, followed in by Louise Day (Swift RT, 14:37).
Other guest times: Josh Wallis, Anthony Gough, Adam Ellis and Dan Carr (all Velo One 11:34, 11:36, 13:15 and 21:30 respectively), Adam Botteley, Bryn Richards, Gareth Richards and Lee Thomas 12:38, 13:10, 13:17 and 14:35. The club also welcomed Jason Booth and Frazer Wallis as unattached riders, they put in great rides of 13:22 and 13:55.
