Spalding Cycling Club’s Chris Ward racked up an impressive win at the opening round of the the 2015 Hereward League.
Following the cancellation of the first scheduled round of the league at Helpston, the event series finally got under way at the Bourne Wheelers hosted 11.6 mile race at Aunby.
Cool, windy and wet conditions – plus a technically demanding and hilly circuit – may have deterred some riders from taking to the start.
But from the field of 21, some very respectable and close times were posted.
Overall winner Ward covered the course at 25mph to stop the clock on 26.38mins, which placed him nearly a minute quicker than second-placed Simon Pitchford (Fenland Clarion) on 27.32mins. Bourne’s Tom Comben (27.38mins) was third.
Next in for Spalding was Ben Moore, with his 29.10mins good enough for seventh overall. Team-mate Simon Wright, in 13th, clocked 30.46mins.
The only lady in the event – Kalyleigh Adams led the rest of the Spalding riders home. Her fine ride time of 33.09mins earned a super 16th place, with Ross McGivern close behind in 17th on 33.20mins.
Places 18 and 19 went to Gerry Charlwood (33.44mins) and Chris Bettinson (34.07mins), while the honour of “Lanterne Rouge” was given to Barry Drew who finished last on 34.29mins.
- A couple of days later, Chris Ward and Barry Drew were in action in the Notts Clarion 50 mile time trial on a wet and windy morning spent mainly on the A52.
From a field of around 70 riders Ward took a fine fourth place overall with 1.57.05hrs, while Drew – who was the fourth oldest rider – recorded a creditable 2.33.06hrs.
- Continuing his current run of fine form, Ward was fastest at round seven of the Spalding Ten Mile Time Trial League in 24.43mins.
He clearly took a liking to the very windy conditions that shattered the field again.
Second-placed Andy Bowser was over a minute back, finishing on 25.51mins.
With most of the lighter competitors struggling to hold the bikes on course, it was inevitable that times would be slow and a long wait followed before Ben Richards claimed third spot in
29.02mins.
That proved to be the second biggest margin between first and third placed riders this season.
The only Lady present, regular guest Louise Day (Team Swift) finished on 31.16mins and the sole under-16, Max Bland, managed a very good 38.18mins.
Making a welcome return as a guest, former club member Dave Wright completing the course in 32.17mins.
Other Spalding times: G Charlwood 29.28mins, B Heron 29.37mins, C Bettinson 32.21mins, G Hughes 32.35mins.
Guest riders times: R Young 29.18mins, T Drew 29.33mins, M Todd 31.38mins, T Wilkins 38.11mins.
