Welsh CA 50

Team Bottrill team-mates Kate Allan and Jake Sargent stamped their authority on the Welsh CA 50-Mile Championships, winning the women’s and open categories respectively.

Allan, aged 39, concluded her season in style to win the women’s event by over seven minutes, after posting a time of 1-48-02.

The Team Bottrill rider made the long trip from Maidenhead worthwhile by taking her ninth open win from ten outings - including national titles over 100, 50, 25 and 10 miles.

The R50/1B saw riders tackle two out and back loops along the A40 between Abergavenny and Mitchel Troy.

The outward leg also included a small section on minor roads between Raglan and the turn at Mitchel Trop.

Conditions were good for the event with no rain, but a bit more wind than forecasted.

Allan was firm favourite in the women’s event and knocked over a minute off the previous women’s open course record of 1-49-24.

Quickest veteran on scratch Claire Hann (Bristol South Cycling Club) finished second in (1-55-32) and Michelle Lee (Royal Dean Forest Cycle Club) was third (1-59-49).

“I was really pleased with the outcome for my end of season finale,” said Allan.

“It was a really good event and course, I was really pleased with the result. I made a mistake of trying a new energy gel so it was not the most comfortable and I couldn’t push in the latter miles and had to ease off.

“It felt a fast day and I’m pleased with the power that I put down. It was a good course, with a section at the far end which was technical, which I quite liked.

“I’m done for the year now. Next year I’m targeting some competition records. I turn 40, so there are also some VTTA targets.”

In the open event fellow Team Bottrill rider Sargent was the pre-race favourite and proved his form by posting a time of 1-37-52 – beating his own open course record benchmark of 1-38-29.

Sargent, aged 24, from Bristol, took his 14th open victory of the season – finishing over three minutes ahead of his nearest opponent.

Quickest veteran on scratch Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic) placed second in 1-41-35 and Alexander Royle (Manchester Bicycle Club) finished third (1-42-07).

“The race couldn't have gone much better for me,” said Sargent.

“It has been a long season and I was definitely feeling the fatigue in the lead up to the race, but as defending champion I wanted to finish my season with one last effort I can be happy with.

“My warm-up went well and I could feel that my legs were good and I got to the start line with lots of confidence.

“The race itself was great, I know the course well and was able to make the most of that and pushed hard where I needed to.

“I've been doing some cyclo-cross recently which has definitely added to my ability to go deep into the red and recover.

“This ride was a personal best for me, and secures me the BBAR for the year, which I couldn't be happier about, it's been a great season!”

The only road bike competitor was Kev Satterthwaite (Gorilla Coffee Cycling Club) who completed the course in a time of 2-00-34.

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

 

Results:

Open:

1. Jake Sargent (Team Bottrill)  1:37.52

2. Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic)    1:41.35

3. Alexander Royle (Manchester Bicycle Club) 1:42.07

4. Jack Troake (Mid Devon Cycling Club)             1:43.05

5. Dylan Griffiths (University of Bath Cycling Club)        1:43.41

6. David Halliday (Team Bottrill)              1:44.46

7. Donald Brooks (Mid Devon Cycling Club)      1:45.04

8. Karl Norris (360VRT) 1:45.28

9. David Griffiths (Oswestry Paragon CC)           1:45.42

10. Mark Hamer (Legato Racing Team (LRT)       1:47.04

Women:

1. Kate Allan (Team Bottrill)       1:48.02

2. Claire Hann (Bristol South Cycling Club)       1:55.32

3. Michelle Lee (Royal Dean Forest Cycle Club)              1:59.49

4. Michelle Lindley (Poole Wheelers Cycling Club)         2:04.19

5. Maria Powell (Fulfil The Potential Race Team)             2:05.12

6. Bethan Ouseley (Pembrokeshire Velo)            2:06.39

7. Gemma Simister (Army Cycling)       2:11.19

8. Emma Davies (Port Talbot Whs CC)  2:12.28

9. Helen Tudor (Oswestry Paragon CC) 2:13.06

10. Joy Payne (VTTA (London & Home Counties)             2:15.48

Road bike: Kev Satterthwaite (Gorilla Coffee Cycling Club)       2:00.34