Bath Cycling Club 25

Kimberley Barfoot-Brace earned a third win of the season with success in the women’s event at a slightly lengthened Bath Cycling Club 25-mile time trial on Sunday morning in Somerset, with team-mate Jake Sargent the fastest in the open category.

Riding for Team Bottrill, Barfoot-Brace set a winning time of 1:00-50, seeing off the challenge of runner-up Liz Kemp who put down 1:06-32, with a time of 1:09-11 helping Bath Cycling Club’s Odette Collett to the final spot on the podium

Barfoot-Brace has enjoyed a fine campaign so far, having finished second at the …a3crg 50-mile time trial on June 2, first at the Bath Cycling Club 10-mile time trial on May 12, after opening his season by securing Cardiff 100 miles Road Cycling Club 15-mile time trial victory on February 24.

On her win, Barfoot-Brace said: “It was brilliant to take the women’s win and be part of the winning team with super speedy Jake and Rob.

“I was a bit disappointed with my time of 1:00-50 as I was held up by traffic three times on fast bits of the course - funnily enough not one of the 19 roundabout crossings - and was expecting to go sub-60 and get the course record.

“But back at HQ I then realised the course was made slightly longer 25.7 miles due to a necessary change to the start and finish location.

“Bath Cycling Club is my club, and this race has been going on for over 100 years, so I really didn’t want to miss it.

“It was superbly organised and I’m very grateful to everyone who helps make it happen!”

In the men’s event, Sargent earned victory in 50-41, with Team Bottrill clubmate Rob Francis second in 52-55, while Joel Hyde of Pronto set 55-32 for third place.

On his ride, Sargent said: “On the whole the whole it was a great day out, the weather was near perfect with warm temperatures and very little wind!

“The course had to be lengthened due to an event being held at the start which meant the course was 25.7 miles long, and the added traffic on the course held up a lot of riders.

“I know both my teammates had lengthy hold ups, but I was very lucky and had a clear run of the 13 roundabouts!

“I'm very pleased with my ride and should have comfortably gone under 50min had the course been the original length, which was the original goal, the form is looking good ahead of the upcoming national championships!

“Rob and I are both off to the F11/10 next weekend to hopefully get some PBs.”

The female road bike category saw Sara James (Clevedon and District Wheelers) earn the top prize in 1:15-40, ahead of Verity Aylward (Bath CC) in 1:23-56, while Henry Bond (Bath CC) took the honours in the open road bike category too see off the challenge of runner-up Paul Wilkinson (Pronto) in 1:00-39.

Barfoot-Brace, Francis and Sargent combined to win the team prize in a combined 2:44-26, while veteran road bike went to Wilkinson (Pronto) in 57-41, and veteran time trial bike was Hyde (Pronto) in 52-52.

This event, run on the U370 course, usually starts by Frome showground on the B3092 and heads northbound through West Woodlands and along past Frome to the Blatchbridge roundabout on the A361 continuing onto Oldford roundabout, where riders turn and follow back to Blatchbridge roundabout, with riders then completing the circuit twice more and on the third circuit continuing southbound to Maiden Bradley and finishing opposite the start line.

However, the 25-mile U370 course had to be slightly lengthened on the day, as the usual start and finish layby was in use for an antiques fair.

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

 

Results:

Open:

1. Jake Sargent (Team Bottrill)           50.41

2. Rob Francis (Team Bottrill)            52.55

3. Joel Hyde (Pronto)  55.32

Female:

1. Kimberley Barfoot-Brace (Team Bottrill)   1:00.50

2. Liz Kemp (Pronto)  1:06.32

3. Odette Collett (Bath CC)    1:09.11