Cranbrook Cycle Club 10

Liam Bard (GTR - Return to Life p/b Streamline) and Alice Lake (Cranbrook Cycle Club) went quickest on a new course at the Cranbrook CC 10-mile event in Devon.

The inaugural event on the S27/10 course saw 34-year-old Bard set a course benchmark time of 21 minutes and 37 seconds.

Starting outside Smeatharpe in Devon the course used a quiet and straight unclassified road with a good road surface out to Dunkeswell and back.

A chilly but dry morning greeted riders with only light winds which were felt during a false flat section on the outward leg.

Bard finished eighth in last year’s National Circuit Championship and showed good form as he prepares for an assault at the national crowns this season.

A close battle saw quickest veteran on scratch Robert Willcocks (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) finish just 19 seconds back in second, while Lloyd Copp (Okehampton CC) placed third (22-13).

“It went well and I’m looking forward to what is coming with the National 10, 25 and 50,” said Bard.

“The road there is quite grippy so I’m happy with the time for my effort and it was good to win it. It’s obviously still early days.

“It’s a welcome new course within a 25-mile course used last year. The road bike category is also welcome to help bring more numbers to the event.”

In the women’s event Lake won in a new course benchmark time of 26 minutes and 20 seconds.

 The 26-year-old finished fifth in last year’s National Circuit Championship and showed has hit the ground running this season to take a clear victory.

Road bike competitor Claire Pile (05/03) finished second overall in 28-14, which was 12 seconds faster than quickest veteran on scratch Gemma Waterjohns (Team Tor 2000 | KALAS) in 28-26.

Afterwards, Lake said: “The race was my first time trial of the year, so it was lovely to see everyone - and it's always special to race your own club's time trial.

“It was actually a big day for me, because it was my first time racing on a time trial bike! Given that, I went in with no expectations as I wasn't sure I'd feel comfortable enough to push myself - but I had a great time and was pleasantly surprised with my position.

“I think it's a really great course, a quiet road but a good surface and flat for Devon.”

In the road bike competition Tristan Kelsall-Spurr (Exeter Whs CC) was clearly the fastest taking his first open victory in a time of 23-29.

A three-way battle between veteran riders behind saw Alister Trendell (Honiton Spinners) finish second in 25-24, which was nine seconds quicker than Tony Symons (Tavistock Whs CC) in third (25-33) and Ben Carthy (Plymouth Corinthian CC) was fourth a further five seconds back (25-38),

Junior road bike competitor Zack Davis (Holsworthy Peloton) finished fifth overall in the category in 26-37, while Claire Pile (05/03) was the only woman road bike competitor.

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

 

Results:

1 Liam Bard (GTR - Return To Life p/b Streamline) 21.37

2 Robert Willcocks (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)   21.56

3 Lloyd Copp (Okehampton CC)       22.13

4 Simon Marshall (Cranbrook Cycle Club)    22.20

5 Jon Tune (City Cycle Couriers RT) 22.45

6 Tristan Kelsall-Spurr (Exeter Whs CC)       23.29

7 Jimmy Richards (Pure Endurance)  24.14

8 Craig Harper (Holsworthy Peloton) 24.17

9 James Greenaway (Exeter Whs CC)           25.10

10 Alister Trendell (Honiton Spinners)           25.24

Women

1 Alice Lake (Cranbrook Cycle Club)            26.20

2 Claire Pile (05/03)    28.14

3 Gemma Waterjohns (Team Tor 2000 | KALAS)     28.26

4 Wiebke Rietz (1st Chard Wheelers) 29.23

Road bike

1 Tristan Kelsall-Spurr (Exeter Whs CC)       23.29

2 Alister Trendell (Honiton Spinners) 25.24

3 Tony Symons (Tavistock Whs CC) 25.33

4 Ben Carthy (Plymouth Corinthian CC)       25.38

5 Zack Davis (Holsworthy Peloton)   26.37

6 Graham Turner (Exeter Whs CC)    27.39

7 Neil Bennett (North Devon Velo)    28.19

8 Paul Cameron (Exeter Whs CC)      28.22

9 Andrew Davis (Holsworthy Peloton)           29.06

Woman: Claire Pile (05/03)    28.14

Junior: Zack Davis (Holsworthy Peloton)      26.37