Young takes first place

This week was the annual Spalding Cycling Club’s Drop Bar Challenge, where all competitions must use regular road bikes with no time trial bikes allowed.

This means a much more level playing field as the technology across the road bikes is much closer than the spaceship TT bikes.

Blustery conditions meant it was to be a tough night on the Barrier Bank course.

It was Josh Wallis taking the win on the night with a time of 22:24 leading home, what was arguably ride of the night, Matt Chappell (23:20) who beat his season long rival Dom Brand by 28 seconds.

Other notable rides came from Chris Cooper with a great performance to take fifth in a time of 24:27 and also Mark Booth (26:10) in eighth but on a fixed gear bike.

The men’s category wasn’t the only upset as the women’s also had a new name at the top of the times.

Abbey Young took home her first category win in a time of 27:39.

TT league leader Evgeniya Brand was second, ten seconds behind.

Samantha Briffett rounded out the podium in third in a time of 32:10.

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