CTT Classic Series Event 3

Ben Goodwin (Fibrax Fenwicks Wrexham Cycling Club) and Kelly Murphy (Doltcini O’Shea Cycle Division) were the quickest in the open and women’s categories at the third round of the CTT Classic Series hosted by Beacon RCC.

Meanwhile, a strong road bikes category saw James Pearce (Solihull CC) go fastest in the open event and Louise Hart (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team) in the women’s.

The historic Beacon Roads CC little mountain time trial saw riders compete over the challenging 39-mile circuit around scenic country roads of Worcestershire.

The annual event was first run in 1948 and has become a well-loved event which for several seasons has formed an important part of the CTT National Series.

Goodwin, aged 26, from Wrexham, also won round one of the CTT Classic Series last month and his time of 1-37-57 was comfortably the quickest in the time trial category.

A close battle for second saw hill climb specialist Kit Buchanan (Solihull CC) finish in 1-52-23, which was 34 seconds quicker than Edward Copeland (Ludlow Brewery Race Team) in 1-52-57.

“I really enjoyed the event. It was a lovely day, super calm conditions,” said Goodwin. “The marshals were super visible and did a great job!

“I paced it pretty conservatively with the three savage climbs in the front of my mind. The last one was properly tough at 17% with over an hour in the legs at that point.

“I did have a bit of drama halfway round where my shifter came loose on a quick descent. But I managed to get it fixed on the move so I had working gears again.”

In the women’s event 34-year-old Murphy recorded an average speed of over 21.3 miles per hour on the undulating course and stopped the clock in 1-49-24.

Murphy, from Sutton Coldfield, is also part Ireland team pursuit team aiming for the Paris Olympic Games later this year.

The Doltcini O’Shea Cycle Division rider also finished runner-up in the previous round of the CTT Classic Series last month.

Keri Parton (Team Bottrill) finished second woman in 1-54-52, while road bike competitor Louise Hart (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team) was third overall.

“It went alright today, it was quite cold and I had some hefty gearing on so I had to push hard,” said Murphy.

“Given the longer distance it was nice not to be ‘eyeballs to the floor’ all the time.

“I’ve done this course before when it was sweltering hot, but with it being chilly today I didn’t really have a time in mind, I was just focusing on my position.

“This year I’ll mainly be doing time trials and preparing for the Olympic track events. I haven’t entered any other events in the series, but I’ll have a look and get some things booked in.”

In the road bike category James Pearce (Solihull CC) took his first open victory of the season covering the tough course in 1-42-51.

Veteran rider Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC – MyWindsock) finished in a close second position just 12 seconds behind in 1-43-03, while Karl Norris (360VRT) was third in the category (1-43-30).

In the women’s road bike category Hart was the only rider to break the two-hour mark finishing in 1-59-32.

Veteran rider Celia Doyle (Elevate RT) was second in 2-01-56, while Alice O’Neill (Velo Bavarian) completed the podium positions (2-02-49).

Robin Delve (Mid-Devon CC) was best veteran on age adjusted time with +4-57 giving him the win over team-mate Mark Sanders with +4.13, while 360VRT rider Karl Norris was third with a plus of 3-44.

In the junior event Jacob Bradbury (Manchester Wheelers) was the quickest boy in 2-05-07 and Sophie Heighton (Ferryhill Whs) the best girl (2-42-52).

Mark Valentine (Poole Wheelers Cycling Club) was the only ride in the para-cycling category completing the course in 1-49-03.

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