Circuit of the Dales

Benjamin Goodfellow (Fibrax Fenwicks Wrexham CC) and Cara Rawlinson (Tactic UK WRT) battled windy weather conditions on their way to victories in the North Lancashire Road Club (Circuit of the Dales) over 50 miles.

Goodfellow, aged 27, was the quickest rider on the day completing the undulating course in a time of two hours, eight minutes and 41 seconds.

The 50-mile course includes several lumpy sections of road and a tough top section between Sedbergh and Hawes.

However, it was the final 16 miles into a headwind which hurt the most and impacted on times.

The long-standing course record of 1-49-17 was set in 2014 and remains strong 10 years on.

Goodfellow was rewarded for the journey up to Cumbria with his first open victory of the season and finished four minutes faster than his nearest opponent.

Veteran rider Richard Bideau (Pendle Forest CC) finished second in the Border City Wheelers hilly event last month and settled for the same position this time out in 2-12-46.

Completing the open time trial category podium was Andrew Whiteside (Springfield Financial Racing Team) who stopped the clock in 2-16-02.

In the women’s event road bike competitor Rawlinson, aged 35, from Thornton-Cleveleys, recorded a winning time of 3-04-08 which was seven minutes faster than her nearest opponent.

Also on a road bike Emma Dooley (Otley CC) finished second (3-11-06) and Emma Glen (Springfield Financial Racing Team) completed the women’s podium positions (3-26-51).

“It was so windy, the second half of the race was unbelievable,” said Rawlinson.

“The wind was brutal. The last 20 miles was into a massive headwind, you had to hold on to your bike.

“You couldn’t eat or drink you just had to grip on to your bike. Normally I would be on my time trial bike, but I used my road bike today because I knew there was climbing and for the wind.

“I had a really good first half of the race and I was on for a good time but as soon as you hit Hawes and were out in the open it was just brutal. It was just about surviving and getting to the end.

“Now it feels like a great day out. It was a character-building ride.”

Veteran Rob Carter (Cleveland Wheelers CC) took his first open victory of the season in the road bike category recording a time of 2-19-13.
Finishing second in the category was Richard Butler (Giant-Kendal-Sidas.Uk) in 2-20-33, while David Parkin (Velotik Racing Team) was third (2-21-22).

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

Results
1 Benjamin Goodfellow (Fibrax Fenwicks Wrexham CC)    2:08.41
2 Richard Bideau (Pendle Forest CC) 2:12.46
3 Andrew Whiteside (Springfield Financial RT)        2:16.02
4 Rob Carter (Cleveland Wheelers CC)         2:19.13
5 David Mirfield (Barlick Fell Runners)        2:20.33
6 Richard Butler (Giant-Kendal-Sidas.Uk)     2:20.33

Women
1 Cara Rawlinson (Tactic UK WRT)  3:04.08
2 Emma Dooley (Otley CC)   3:11.06
3 Emma Glen (Springfield Financial Racing Team)  3:26.51

Road bikes
1 Rob Carter (Cleveland Wheelers CC)         2:19.13
2 Richard Butler (Giant-Kendal-Sidas.Uk)     2:20.33
3 David Parkin (Velotik Racing Team)           2:21.22
4 Chris Booth (Giant-Kendal-Sidas.Uk)         2:22.08
5 Thomas Hanlon (Harry Middleton CC)      2:23.53
6 Doug Hart (Ilkley CC)         2:29.07
Women
1 Cara Rawlinson (Tactic UK WRT)  3:04.08
2 Emma Dooley (Otley CC)   3:11.06