Norwich A B C 10

Dominic Lowden and Matthew Holland shared the honours in an astonishing finish at the Norwich ABC 10-mile time trial in Norfolk on Saturday afternoon with both finishing in identical times.

Both riders set 21-07 and could not be separated on the stopwatch, with Diss & District CC’s Lowden and DAP Cycling Club’s Holland tying for first place – and third-placed Lewis Roberts (Blackspokes RT) just a second back in a remarkably tight finale.

With both competitors awarded first place, this will go down as Lowden’s maiden success of the 2023 season after five rides, his first success since the Diss & District Cycling Club 2-Up 25-mile time trial on April 10 2022 – and indeed his first-ever solo success in an open time trial since debuting at the Lewes Wanderers Hill Climb on November 2 2008 almost 15 years ago.

For Holland, he now has two wins from eight rides this campaign, his other triumph coming at the CC Breckland 10-mile time trial on August 12.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw the result,” said Holland. “I thought I would be top three maybe because I did a PB again.

“I am so pleased with the result, it’s my penultimate 10 this year. I’m doing the DAP CC 10 next week, and looking to break the 21 barrier and PB again.”

And Lowden added: “It’s crazy - although statistically speaking the probability of two riders with the same time is surprisingly high - just not quite so high for first place, or for the same course a week apart.

“Maybe more crazy is that we have a supervet and espoir battling out for a win with honours even.”

The prize for fastest road bike was claimed by Phil Beecher, riding for VC Norwich, who stopped the clock at 25-17 for 22nd place overall.

John Swanbury and Allistair Banks were fastest tandem pair, with the VC Baracchi duo finishing in 24-53.

This event, run on the B10/43 course, is very flat single carriageway course, with a generally reasonable surface and only one roundabout with minimal chance of delays.

Riders start just north of Harleston and head north east past Homersfield on A143 until reaching Bungay, then turn and follow the route back to finish north west of the start line by Homersfield.

No women competed in this event.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.

 

Results:

Men:

1. Dominic Lowden (Diss & District CC)      21.07

1. Matthew Holland (D A P Cycling Club)    21.07

3. Lewis Roberts (Blackspokes RT)   21.08

4. Andrew Whelan (Colchester Rovers CC)  21.27

5. Mike Padfield (North Norfolk Wheelers)   22.02

6. Jamie Watson (Colchester Rovers CC)      22.11