Sussex Cyclists' Assoc. Championship 30

With the three top riders being DNS, the way was clear for slightly-lesser lights to move into their expected podium positions for open category riders.

Paul Thatcher, Brighton Mitre CC, was a very popular winner in 1:09:20, possibly at age 63 his first open event victory, 65 seconds ahead of Richard Burdett, Lewes Wanderers CC who was himself another 68 seconds clear of 18 years old Ethan Heather, Festival RC, youngest of 19 finishers by some 27 years.

Also popular was 4th placed rider, Ian Cheesman, Worthing Excelsior CC, in 1:12:29 at age 57,who does considerable unsung work for the sport as secretary of London South District for CTT and led his team with Simon Jezard, 1:13:53, and Mathew Chapman, 1:14:52, to the club's first team win this season.

Not to be outdone, clubmate Verity Lacey, won the female category, in 1:21:16 followed 1:38 adrift by Liz Richardson, Westerley C.C. and Teresa Goddard, Kingston Whls. CC a further 2:02 back.

A pleasant sunny morning with temperatures of 13 to 21 degrees and a light NW drift on a new, mainly single carriageway course (2 alternatives out of action with road works and traffic lights) that was hastily and cleverly designed by local DC chairman, Mark Jones, GS Stella, 7th in 1:13:57 with the HQ within 0.4 mile of the finish, much to the relief of slower riders.

One of the seven marshals was Steve Dennis, East Grinstead CC, who famously won the Association's annual "50" 13 times spread over 4 decades while today clubmate, Richard Blackmore, was timekeeper at the age of 83; without both local personalities, the local sport would not function so well.

Next up in West Sussex is the Sussex C.A.'s 12th annual "15" on Saturday 8th August on the first 15 miles of today's course.