Thanet RC Boxing Day 10

Kimberley Morrison (North Norfolk Wheelers) sliced over 15 minutes from the old course record despite challenging conditions for the North Norfolk Wheelers 100, while Daniel Bloy (Team Velovelocity) was fastest man.

Morrison, a 29-year-old international triathlete and former European age group champion, clocked 4-04-56 for the B100/9 course which took in three laps of a single carriageway course from Fakenham to Hillington, Gayton and back.

That was 15-10 quicker than Jill Reames’ old course record set 17 years ago, and was good enough for third overall.

“I hadn’t ridden a 100-mile event before, so we were just looking to see how I coped with the distance,” said Morrison. “So it was a total surprise to get the win. I was looking to do around a 4-18, so a 4-04 was great.”

Bloy, 39 and from Downham Market, covered the distance in 3-49-47 which gave him the win by 7-36 from Team Bottrill rival George Fox, while Morrison claimed third spot with her record-breaking ride.

Records were not expected to fall, with some quite heavy showers making the going difficult. And with a headwind from Fakenham through Hillington and Gayton, times generally were down. And with the return leg through Rougham and Weasenham to Fakenham being more sheltered, it proved hard to take advantage.

But Morrison seemed to slice through the winds with ease, and crossed the line in a time which was more than 19 minutes ahead of the next best woman in former National 12-hour champion Jasmijn Muller (Born to Bike), while her team-mate Katja Rietdorf – the reigning National 12-hour champion – took third, around four minutes further off the pace but good enough to take the prize as the best veteran on standard.

“I’ve only ridden about 80 miles in the past,” added Morrison, who previously played hockey before turning to triathlon. “I didn’t know how I would cope with the last 20 miles, but I managed not to get too emotional, and I had family out on the course which gave me a boost.

“Although cycling is my strongest triathlon discipline, I don’t know much at all about the cycling scene, so I didn’t know who I was facing, but it’s great to know there were some national champions in the field.

“I’m potentially looking to qualify for the National 25 in August which would be great, but the other national cycling championships don’t fit in my triathlon calendar unfortunately.”

Meanwhile, in the Trike Association (East) event, victory went to Lincoln Wheelers’ Lez Young who covered the 100 miles in 5-35-20.

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

* Photographs and additional race information from Fergus Muir.

 

 

 

 

Results:

1. Daniel Bloy (Team Velovelocity)   3:49.47

2. George Fox (Team Bottrill)            3:57.23

3. Kimberley Morrison (North Norfolk Wh)  4:04.56

4. Iain Boardman (Dulwich Paragon CC)      4:07.35

5. Matthew Parfitt (Charlotteville CC)           4:10.52

6. Ben Keeley (Team Velovelocity)    4:11.39

7. John Watson (Hitchin Nomads)     4:14.59

8. Chris Hopkinson (CC Desiragear)  4:18.29

9. Julian Pegg (Hitchin Nomads)        4:18.43

10. Chris Potter (CC Ashwell)            4:19.01

Women:

1. Kimberley Morrison (North Norfolk Wh)  4:04.56 (course record)

2. Jasmijn Muller (Born to Bike)         4:24.06

3. Katja Rietdorf (Born to Bike)        4:28.04

Veterans on std: Katja Rietdorf         +47.48

Trikes: Lez Young (Lincoln Wheelers)           5:35.20