News & Features

Linda Dewhurst picked up four VTTA national titles this year at the age of 66, as she continues to thrive in the veteran events.

The Veteran Time Trials Association (VTTA) events are for those aged over 40 and results are given on age adjusted time to provide a level playing field.

The handicapping system sees competitors actual time reduced depending on their age to provide the award results.

Dewhurst first competed in an open time trial in 2017 before riding in her maiden VTTA event the following year.

“The first time I rode a VTTA event I didn’t actually know what VTTA was, but I knew that I was old enough to do it,” said Dewhurst.

“It was a national but I didn’t get the cut into the national competition, I rode in the supplementary competition.

“I was told that if I was in the actual competition that I might have been placed.

“The VTTA events are the same as any open event really, it’s just that the results are adjusted to your age, so they have a clever metric where, depending on your age, you get an age adjusted time.

“It levels up the playing field very well, if you’re old like me then it’s good.”

In recent years Dewhurst has become one to beat over the shorter distance in the VTTA National female competitions.

“About three years ago I did the (VTTA National) 25 and surprised myself by coming third,” she added.

“Then I thought maybe if I did some training it might help. Last year I won the 10, 15 and 25. This year the 10, 15, 25 and 30, so it has been really good.

“I can’t see myself doing anything over a 30, I was thinking about a 50 but thought ‘no’. I’d certainly like to retain some of them.

“The VTTA events are really well run and organised by friendly people. Everybody has been cycling some donkey’s years. It’s very refreshing to see some of these 80-year-olds and over racing, you think ‘wow this is amazing’.

“You get to know people in your VTTA area, it’s very good. At the nationals there is a team and area award as well.”

Dewhurst is equally as competitive in open events and clocked a personal best of 21-45 in the Lea Valley CC 10 in July, followed by another best of 55-34 in the Ross-on-Wye & Dist CC 25.

“If I’m riding an open event, like the fast 10 on the Tring course (F11/10) then I might be lucky to get inside the top 10,” added Dewhurst.

“If it’s age adjusted than I would have probably won it.

“When you’re 30 or 40 years older than a lot of the people then there needs to be some allowances for us oldies.

“I always do a mixture of open and VTTA, depending on the course and where it is.”

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