Red-hot Neil Palmer took advantage of perfect conditions to set what is believed to be a new Spalding Cycling Club record at the opening round of their 17-mile time trial league.
Palmer, a regular winner over ten miles, posted a time of 37.00mins – a 30 second beating of his record-breaking 2014 ride and possibly a personal best (PB) for him too.
Second and third places were occupied by Chris Ward (37.26mins) and Ben Moore (39.41mins). Again, both times may eventually prove to be PBs.
The only lady to take part, Natasha Tooley, stopped the clock on 51.09mins in her first attempt at this distance.
Mark Hills, who has shown consistently good results this season, punctured but did well to recover, completing the course in 55.37mins.
He was just two seconds ahead of Bill Wood. Confirmed PB’s were Andy Bowser (40.19mins), Ross McGivern (44.11mins) and Barry Drew (48.35mins).
Guest riders: Tom Neale (Catford Equipe Team) 37.20mins; Ian Fensom (Fenland Road Club) 43.28mins; Richard Young 46.59mins.
p Spalding ace Palmer was also victorious at the club’s open 25-mile time trial on the Donington A52 based course.
He clocked a super 55.33mins into a strong headwind, while the runners-up places on the podium went to the wire with a real battle between ex-Spalding rider Jeremy Hargraves (Fenland Road Club) and Chris Ward. They were separated by just two seconds on 56.17mins and 56.19mins respectively.
Third home for Spalding was Simon Wright on 1.05.02hrs, with Mark Hills (1.10.35hrs) and Barry Drew (1.11.43hrs) making up the Spalding presence in 24th and 25th.
- A host of Spalding members competed at Round Three of the Hereward League, hosted by Fenland Clarion on their Helpston course.
Chris Ward took second place in 15.19mins, with Ben Moore (16.57mins) and Simon Wright (17.08mins) making up the Spalding top three. Sophie Wright flew the flag as the only Spalding lady (22.08mins), whiie Chris Peel (18.28mins), Ross Mcgivern (19.18mins) and Chris Bettinson (20.03mins) also finished.
