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RECORDS TUMBLE
EVENT PHOTOGRAPHS - Kimroy Photography
Course records tumbled on the Carmel circuit on Sunday when the fifth round of the RTTC Classic Series hit Wales in the West Wales Cyclists' League promotion. The Men's Women's and Junior's records fell as Philip Graves (Clifton CC York), Kelly Murphy (Boot Out Breast Cancer CC) and Jamie Holmes (Mid Shropshire Wheelers) won their respective events. At the same time Graves sealed his overall victory in the TT Series scoring the maximum 240 points with his four consecutive victories in the events.
CLOSE ONE FOR GRAVES
Although Graves started as firm favourite he faced a close battle over the 19.5 miles undulating course finally running out the winner by just six seconds from Espoir Christopher Fennell (Thanet RC) with his course record 42-27 to Fennell's 42-33. Jack O'Neil (Mike Vaughan Cycles) rounded out the top three with a 43-11. Dean Robson (NOPINZ) claimed fourth place with a 43-50. The top four beat the previous course record of 43-54 set in 2013 by Kieron Davies.
"I never felt at ease today, I found it heavy going," Graves said. "I've had three events in eight days,a `25`, a `10`, when I did a PB 18-20 and today. It was long way to come here, a 600-mile round trip from Yorkshire and I must admit I don't like leaving Yorkshire, but its good to have won the Series overall, that was my target," Graves added.
NATIONAL `50` NEXT TARGET FOR GRAVES
He is still having treatment for the leg injury that stops him running in his number one sport, Triathlon. "I'm still having physiotherapy." he said. Now he is preparing for his next big test, the RTTC National 50-mile Championship. "I'm going to take a rest this week, no racing at the weekend, and then I've got a `10` and `25` before the `50`, Graves continued.
FENNELL GETTING BETTER
Did runner up Christopher Fennell think Graves was getting slower or he was improving? "I'm getting better hopefully, " Fennnell laughed. "I don't travel much, I usually stick to local events in Kent, but have made an exception for this Series," he said.
DAVID MURPHY CONSOLIDATES LEAD
On a day described "as good for the course" by local riders the Paracyclist took to the road first and it was David Murphy (Liverpool Mercury Dolan CC) who added to his recent successes in the TT Series to score another win to consolidate his overall lead. Murphy adjusted time was 47-15 after actually getting round "Do you thinkthe course in 50-00. Matthew Robertson (Woolwich CC) filled second with a 48-16 (56-32), 10 seconds ahead of Nicholas Fairfield (City RC Hull), 48-26 (53-36).
BYNEA VETERANS 1-2-3
The Veteran's competition was dominated by the Bynea CC who filled the first three places thanks to David Brice, 48-14, Arwel Davies, 49-07, and Emyr Griffiths, 49-49. The Vet's Target Time listing was topped by David Hargreaves (North Lancs RC) with a +10-07 ahead Of Plymouth Corinthians CC's Chris Scawn +08-21.
EARLY LEAD FOR EMMA
By now the women were on the road and it was Emma Lewis (Adalta CC) who took the early lead with her 50-38 easily beating the previous woman's course record of some 52 minutes. Lewis was unchallenged until Kelly Murphy rolled in with her 49-5.2 to head the listings and a new course record. It was left to Jackie Field (CC Ashwell) to claim the final podium place with a 50-51 which also gave her fourth place in the Veteran's event and completed a clean sweep in the Veteran Women's Series giving her a maximum 240 points as overall winner.
KELLY MURPHY'S FIRST RACING SEASON
This is Kelly Murphy's first racing season and she is certainly mixing it with the best. She rode and finished the Lincoln Grand Prix and has been riding the Tour Series of city centre races. "I rode at Motherwell this week after the Lincoln event and now I'm in Wales, I've certainly been doing a lot of driving since I started cycle racing I had to buy a van to get around, Murphy said. "I went round the course yesterday, it didn't seem as hilly as it did today," she said. Murphy now has a programme of road races for the coming weeks.
RECORD FOR HOLMES
Lone Junior James Holmes may have had no competition but he had the satisfaction of establishing a new Junior course record with his 49-43, knocking 1-09 off the previous best.
The RTTC Classic Series now takes a rest until 11 September when round six, the Stratford CC promotion, takes place, which also includes the RTTC National Circuit Championship.