...a3crg 25

Jamie Whitcher (Bournemouth Cycleworks-Vitec Fire) and Lisa Davis (DRAG2ZERO) battled against tough conditions on their way to victories in the a3crg 25, while Paul Burton (Paceline RT) was quickest on a road bike in second overall.

Now recovered from an injury which ended her 2023 season, veteran rider Davis took victory in her first open outing of the season in the women’s event, while Whitcher won his second open time trial of the year.

The out and back course saw riders compete on the A3 between the Farnham Road roundabout and across the Woolmer Ranges to Liphook.

Wind conditions were mixed providing a technical challenge in sections for those riding deep section wheels.

Whitcher won the opening CTT Classic Series round two weeks earlier and was the only rider to break the 50-minute barrier stopping the clock in 49-54.

Road bike rider Burton took his second category win of the season and finished second place overall in 51-20.

Completing the overall podium positions was veteran Liam Maybank (Twickenham CC) who covered the course in 51-45 which was 10 seconds quicker than Adrian Ford (Brighton Mitre CC).

Whitcher combines time trialling with his road racing goals and was in action the day before.

“After a very hard three-hour race in the breakaway, taking third [the previous day], I was pretty happy with how the legs felt so early in the morning,” said Whitcher.

“It's always positive to still be able to post a respectable time in cold/windy conditions after such an attritional day on the bike. I always enjoy an event run by a3crg so I didn't want to miss out.”

In the women’s event Davis, aged 49 and from Heathfield, was a clear victor posting a winning time of 1-00-07.

Hosting club rider Sarah Matthews (a3crg) finished second in 1-02-49, while fellow veteran Michelle Lindley (Poole Wheelers) placed third (1-05-01).

“Conditions were quite mixed and not ideal for that course,” said Davis. “The wind made it quite technical, I’m quite a light rider and ride with a deep section wheel which made it technical.

“It’s my first race of the season and first for me on my time trial bike. I was injury last season so it has been over a year since I’ve properly. It’s nice to be back and not injured.”

In the road bike category Burton was a clear victor with his time almost four minutes quicker than Paceline RT team-mate Tim Lewis in 55-16.

Completing the podium positions was Howard Shaw (trainSharp) who stopped the clock in a time of 56-07.

The only tricycle rider was Mike Marchant (Southdown Velo) who covered the course in a time of 1-11-29.

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

 

Results:

Open:

1 Jamie Whitcher (Bournemouth Cycleworks-Vitec Fire-Ford Civil-Trek)   49.54

2 Paul Burton (Paceline RT)   51.20

3 Liam Maybank (Twickenham CC)  51.45

4 Adrian Ford (Brighton Mitre CC)   51.55

5 Karl Norris (360VRT)         52.25

6 Colin McDermott (Festival Road Club)      52.52

Women:

1 Lisa Davis (DRAG2ZERO) 1:00.07

2 Sarah Matthews (a3crg)       1:02.49

3 Michelle Lindley (Poole Wheelers Cycling Club)  1:05.01

4 Naomi Shinkins (Bournemouth Jubilee Whs)         1:05.46

5 Kirsty McSeveney (a3crg)   1:08.46

6 Hilary Briggs (Serpentine Running Club)   1:11.02

Road bikes:

1 Paul Burton (Paceline RT)   51.20

2 Tim Lewis (Paceline RT)     55.16

3 Howard Shaw (trainSharp)   56.07

4 Vernon Schutte (Farnborough & Camberley CC)   1:19.19

Tricycle: Mike Marchant (Southdown Velo)  1:11.29