Border City Whs CC 28

John Archibald (HUUB-WattShop) secured the Merlin Cycles Classic Series overall victory with a convincing win at round five, the Circuit of Greystoke Forest in Cumbria organised by Border City Wheelers.

Meanwhile Chris Booth (Giant-Kendal-Sidas UK) similarly wrapped up the overall title with victory in the road bike category.

But it is still all to play for in the paracyclists category, with any one of four riders able to clinch the overall title depending on the result at the final round in two weeks.

David Murphy (Liverpool Mercury CC) was round five winner which lifts him to joint third overall, with today’s runner-up Ben Hetherington (Ferryhill Wheelers) level with him.

They both have three of a possible four rides in the bag, and both could overhaul leader Rik Waddon (Para-T) and second-placed Graeme Church (QN Racing) at the final round on June 11.

Overall Merlin Cycles Series men’s winner John Archibald, who broke Dan Bigham’s course record in the event, said: “The course was lovely compared to last time I did it in 2019. It was dry and sunny, with low wind. I paced it conservatively on the first lap, then went to empty the well on lap two.

“I only just beat Dan's course record, which he did in the wet and with di2 problems, but I'm still happy with my ride and couldn't have done more.

“The course this time had more sustained drags and time in the skis, as compared to Buxton and Worcester where I was booting it up climbs out of the saddle.”

And overall road bike category winner Chris Booth added: “I was pleased with my ride, it’s a beautiful course and I like the gradients around there. It suits me as a rider.

“It was a bit chilly in the warm up, but it soon improved. I made a couple of early catches which is always good for the momentum. It was tough on the second lap though!

“The series is something that I’ve been targeting from before the season, so I’m pleased to win. I’m hoping to go for the road bike national championships in October too, so this is good for preparation.”

In the veterans category, Marcel Schubert (Darlington CC) won round five by almost two minutes from Craig Horseman (Giant Kendal Sidas.uk).

But third spot for Nicholas Latimer (Team Lifting Gear Products) leaves him top of the overall table heading into the final round, but he will need a good result to stop other riders such as Richard Sharp (ADDFORM-Vive le Velo) and Mark Sanders (Mid-Devon CC) from catching him.

Sanders leads the veterans on target time category having a plus of 6.26 in Cumbria, although best was Clayton Velo’s Peter Greenwood with +9.29.

Top junior in Greystoke was Jacob Bradbury (Manchester Wheelers) on a road bike with 1-24-15, while juvenile Abbey Thompson (Stonham Barns Park-SYRT) clocked 2-17-08.

Junior Sophie Heighton (Ferryhill Wheelers) clocked 1-38-00 to win the women’s road bike category.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

A gallery of images from this event is available here