National 24hr Report & Weekend Roundup 26/27 July

Words by David Taylor
Photographs © Kimroy
 

TT ROUNDUP 26/27th July

 RTTC Championship 24hr (Mersey Roads CC)
This weekend Nik Gardiner (Johns Bikes) joined the illustrious band of riders who have won the National 24-hour time trial championship four times or more. Gardiner adds his name to the short list of Nim Carline(Morley CC), a six time winner of the championship and Stuart Jackson (Farnham   RC), with four successes to his credit. 

Gardiner’s total of 510.09 miles is the second highest ever achieved in the title championship, it is bettered only by Andy Wilkinson’s competition record 525.07 miles set in the 1997 title race.

 Like this weekend’s event it was incorporated in the classic Mersey Roads Club `24`, established in 1937. 

In his four wins Gardiner has gradually upped his winning mileage 479.13 miles in 2004, 493.08 miles in 2005 and 504.02 in 2006. 

Gardiner, also national 12-hour champion in 1994, finished over 22 miles ahead of runner-up John Warnock (Twickenham CC) when he ran out of time on Sunday afternoon. 

Warnock’s 487.83 miles were just a little short of the 489.32 miles he totted up last  year when he also went away  with the silver medal. 

The bronze medal and a team medal went to Neil Skellern with 464.19 miles. He was backed by Karl Austin, 450.49 miles, and Graham Barker, 439.97 miles, who took the team medals for the Congleton CC. 

It was Austin’s second championship `24` team medal, he was a counter in the winning Congleton team in 2000.

Elmet CRC 12HR
Third in last year’s Elmet CRC `12` when it was also the championship 12-hour, Nik Bowdler (Farnborough & Camberley CC) jumped up the placings to win this year.

Bowdler covered 289.84 miles to take the honours ahead of  Carl Ruebotham (Team Swift), 283.59  miles, and Michael Broadwith (Shorter Rochford RT), 272.13 miles. 

Big-geared Bowdler managed 10 more miles than he did in the championship last year.

Icknield RC 50
Still showing his powers of recovery are pretty good veteran Ian Cammish (Planet X) followed up Saturday’s second place to Hutchinson with second spot in the Icknield CC `50`. Winner was Jason Gurney (Team Milton Keynes) with 1-46-43 to Ian’s 1-47-10. Catherine Essex (Kings Lynn CC) was best woman with 2-02-01. 

Bognor Regis 50
Steve Walkling (Velocity Bikes) was well clear of the opposition in the Bognor Regis  CC `50` with his 1-45-55. Russell Hober (DH Cyclesport), 1-51-44, and Aran Stanton (VC St Raphael), 1-52-58, filled second third places. Sarah Lovelock (SIS.com) with 2-05-24 took the women’s prize.

Middlesex RC 50
The Middlesex RC `50` saw Paul Holdsworth (Hounslow & District Wheelers) in winning form, his 1-51-33 too good for Graham Weeks (Hillingdon CC), 1-58-09. 
Ever a glutton for punishment Ralph Dadswell (Antelope RT) teamed up with High Wycombe CC’s Paul Mace on the tandem-trike to finish with a respectable 1-54-31.

Warrington RC 50
Back from his holidays in France Charles McCulloch (Shorter Rochford RT) showed he had kept his form winning the Warrington RC `50` with 1-48-19. Gary Brown (Equipe Velo Ecosse) was second with his 1-56-53.

Rutland CC 25
The Rutland CC `25` gave Julian Ramsbottom (De Rosa RT) a chance to shine, his 54-22 putting him 1-18 ahead of runner-up Mark Wolstenholme (Team Swift), home in 55-40.

28/07/2008