RTTC National Closed Circuit Championship
11.7 miles | p/thruxton
Event Organiser:
Roger WakelingAntelope Racing TeamContact OrganiserCourse:
p/thruxton
John Archibald (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) charged to victory by 30 seconds in the men’s RTTC National Closed Circuit Championship in Hampshire.
Archibald, aged 29 and from Edinburgh, added the Closed Circuit title to the 25 crown he won last month.
On this occasion his time of 21-06 was 30 seconds quicker than his nearest rival over five laps of Thruxton Motor Racing Circuit consisting of 11.7 miles.
After crashing out of the National 50 last weekend Archibald was back with vengeance leading by 10 seconds after the first lap and growing his lead throughout.
Reigning men’s champion Christopher Fennell (The Independent Pedaler- Nopinz) finished strongly on the last lap but had to settle for second place on this occasion clocking 21-36, 11 seconds quicker than his winning time last season.
After finishing in third place in the National 50 and 10 so far this season veteran rider Simon Wilson (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) settled for the final podium position once again clocking 21-53.
Meanwhile, National 10 champion Dan Bigham (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) was a non-starter.
Archibald clocked an average speed of 33.3 miles per hour on his way to clinching a first National Closed Circuit Championship title.
“It went very well and it was nice to have a dry day and a nice course,” said Archibald.
“The main thing today was the wind which wasn’t surprising as it was an open circuit. Coming off the descent there was a cross wind section and you were blown around a fair bit.
“It was about getting the right lines around the corners and the cross wind added to the dynamic.”
Archibald will be back in action next weekend when he starts as scratch man in the National Circuit Championships near Cambridge.
“I’ve done the Open Circuit two years ago when I finished second to Dan Bigham,” added Archibald. “It will be nice to go for it.”
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