Three host riders secured top 20 finishes in Spalding Cycling Club’s second open event of the year.
Keiran Buffham was 12th overall with 53.39, just 10 seconds ahead of early starter Andy Bowser in 13th in 53.49, and Ross McGivern 19th in 01.02.00.
The 25-mile time trial was held on the rolling C25/35 course and attracted an entry of 48 riders.
Of those, four did not start and two failed to finish. For the remaining 42 hot and sunny weather with little wind made fast times for some while others suffered a little in the heat.
In all though a third of the field – 14 competitors – got inside the hour for the distance.
Averaging just over 28mph, James Gelsthorpe of Peterborough CC was fastest with 53.19 with runner-up Alexander Colman of Alford Wheelers posting 53.51. Third spot went to Velo One’s Neil Palmer in 55.23.
Top award in the ladies race went to Louise Day of Team Swift in 1.07.32 with Louise George of Witham Wheelers runner-up in 01.08.48. A time of 01.15.10 secured third for Spalding’s Sarah Bentley.
The only junior category rider, RP D Racing’s Ehren Courtman, posted a time of 01.09.03 while the sole entrant in the juvenile category, Bryn Richards of Bourne Wheelers, made it back in 01.05.09 to finish 25th overall.
Host club rider Chris Bettinson posted 01.04.09, bettering his 2016 time considerably.
Three places further down the overall standings in 26th place was Simon Wright in 01.05.36 – another consistent finish.
Mark Hills finished in 01.08.11 for 32nd place while Barry Drew, riding in the 65-69 vets age category, completed his ride in 01.09.26.
Round one of the Hereward League hosted by Peterborough CC on their Southey Wood Course had Simon Wright and Chris Bettinson as the only Spalding riders in a 27 strong field of which 11 were from the promoting club.
Simon posted 25.53 and Chris 26.03.
At Bourne Wheelers’ Aslackby course in an event which again saw 12 of the host club taking part, four Spalding riders took the start.
The top ten finishers comprised five Fenland Clarion, two Bourne, one Peterborough CC and two Spalding riders.
Ben Moore and Andy Bowser finished fourth and fifth respectively on 22.33 and 22.55, splitting up a clean sweep for Fenland.
Further back in 13th place was Ross McGivern who posted 24.38, just ahead of a trio of Bourne Wheelers riders. Gerry Charlwood posted 27.54 for his first ride in this season’s Hereward League.
