Virtual Cycling Club 10

Christopher Gibbard (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team) and Bethan Ouseley (Pembrokeshire Velo) were in formidable form as they took victories in the Virtual Cycling Club 10.

Gibbard, aged 42, had a late entry for the event so started first, before completing the course in 19 minutes and 39 seconds.

The R10/17 saw competitors start near Llangattock Nigh Usk before competing out and back to Raglan on the A40.

Gibbard won both the Cardiff Ajax and Port Talbot Wheelers 10-mile events already this season and made it three wins from three open events this time out.

Scratch rider Owen Burgess (UF Rowe & King) placed third on his previous two open events and went one better this time out to finish second in 19-55, just 16 seconds behind.

Para-cyclist B Xavier Disley (AeroCoach) completed the open podium finishing third in a time of 20-15 and received an additional prize for being the best against his Spindata prediction of 20-57.

Steven Cottington (Bath Cycling Club) was the best veteran on standard with +7:24.

“I’d made a late decision to enter and luckily the organiser fitted me, in but I had to go off first which meant a 5am alarm,” said Gibbard.

“I felt pretty relaxed at the start because I’ve ridden this section of road many times so I know exactly where to push and where you can back off and recover.

“The crosswind made the conditions pretty tough and I was glad I was able to hold off Owen (Burgess) to take the win as I know he’s a very accomplished performer over 10 miles.”

In the women’s event Ouseley, aged 47, stopped the clock in a winning time of 23 minutes and 57 seconds.

Ouseley also won the Cardiff 100 Miles RCC event on New Year's Day and added her second open win of the season on this occasion.

A close battle for second saw veteran Andrea Parish (VeloSistas TT Team) finish second in 25-11, while Charlotte Mead (Monmouthshire Wheelers) placed third (25-39).

Parish was also the best veteran on standard with +4:15, while Mead received an additional prize for the best improvement on her Spindata time of 26-21.

“I was pleased with my effort today, although a personal best is what I was aiming for,” said Ouseley.

“The plan was to try to work just a little harder on any slight incline which I think I managed.

“There was a bit of a headwind on the outbound leg, but the temperature was perfect today. The hard winter training is slowly paying off.”

The road bike category was dominated by Tim Fletcher (Clevedon & District Road Club) who stopped the clock in 23-01 – four minutes clear of his nearest opponent.

Fletcher also won the Welsh CA 25 and Hereford & District Wheelers CC 25 events in the road bike category earlier this season.

Jeffrey Rees (Virtual Cycling Club) finished second in 27-31, while Phil Guy (North Shropshire Wheelers) finished third (29-08).

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

 

Results:

Open:
1 Christopher Gibbard (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team)            19.39
2 Owen Burgess (UF Rowe & King)  19.55
3 B Xavier Disley (AeroCoach)         20.15
4 Dan Kingston (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team)           20.41
5 Mark Halls (Bristol South Cycling Club)    20.44
6 Steven Cottington (Bath Cycling Club)       20.49
7 Karl Norris (360VRT)         21.08
8 Martin Lines (Team Echelon)          21.16
9 Neil Gregory (Port Talbot Wh)        21.30
10 Neil Lewis (Veloflow CC) 21.50

Women
1 Bethan Ouseley (Pembrokeshire Velo)        23.57
2 Andrea Parish (VeloSistas TT Team)           25.11
3 Charlotte Mead (Monmouthshire Wheelers)           25.39
4 Joanna Legge-Knight (Bristol South Cycling Club)           26.41
5 Clare Greenwood (Bush Healthcare CRT)  27.11

Road bikes
1 Tim Fletcher (Clevedon & District Road Club)      23.01
2 Jeffrey Rees (Virtual Cycling Club)            27.31
3 Phil Guy (North Shropshire Wheelers)        29.08

Woman: Clare Greenwood (Bush Healthcare CRT)  27.11