Taking victory by more than a minute, Richard Simmonds (Look Mum no Hands!) won the Western TTA hilly 31-mile time trial near Malmesbury in Wiltshire on Sunday.
A cold day on the uplands of North Wiltshire was on offer for the competitors, with the minor compensation of a favourable north-easterly breeze. Overshoes, winter gloves and legwarmers were very much order of the day for the third event in the long-running West DC Hardriders series, now in its 25th year.
Simmonds showed the field a clean pair of cleats with a sparkling 1.08.19, beating David Janes (VC Walcot) into second place by 75 seconds and taking home the WTTA Spring Shield for his efforts. West DC big beast Ben Anstie, now riding for 73 Degrees, took third place overall in 1.10.25.
Reigning Hardrider champion Rob Pears took on marshalling duties whilst recovering from several broken bones sustained in a winter training accident.
Fastest woman Jenny Lee hurtled round in 1.24.05, guided safely by husband Rob, who was marshalling with their child on a roundabout somewhere near Malmesbury.
Lone junior rider Josh Griffiths punctured, then suffered the further indignity of getting lost somewhere near Upper Seagry with Dad looking from him. They were reunited in the end.
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.
Results:
Pos Name Club Class Time
1 Richard Simmonds Look Mum No Hands! V42 1:08:19
2 David Janes Velo Club Walcot S 1:09:34
3 Ben Anstie 73 Degrees Bicycles S 1:10:25
4 Tony Chapman Frome & District Wheelers V44 1:11:35
5 Matt Lelliott Severn RC S 1:11:38
6 Steven Cottington Bath CC V53 1:11:39
7 Michael Davis Dursley RC S 1:13:17
8 Paul Coles 73 Degrees Bicycles V42 1:13:25
9 Kevin Bexley Team Optima V53 1:15:17
10 Paul Caton TMG Horizon Cycling Team V54 1:16:05
11 Laurence Birdsey Bath CC S 1:16:18
12 Iain Hounsell Mendip Cycling Club V47 1:16:24
13 Peter Garnett Swindon RC V46 1:16:25
14 Nicholas Anderson Salt and Sham Cycle Club S 1:16:37
15 Martin Aldam Trowbridge CC V46 1:16:58
16 Mark Sanders Mid Devon CC V56 1:17:11
17 Dave Hurley Somer Valley CC V47 1:17:23
18 Rick Johnston Northover VT V65 1:18:15
19 Michael Gibbons Chippenham & Dist. Whs V48 1:18:41
20 Les Liddiard Team Jewson - MI Racing V59 1:18:50
21 Daniel Kempe Bristol South Cycling Club V50 1:18:53
22 Simon Snowden 73 Degrees Bicycles V43 1:19:22
23 John Gregory Somer Valley CC V67 1:21:40
24 Chris Broad-Drake Swindon RC V58 1:21:48
25 Mick Sharratt 73 Degrees Bicycles V58 1:21:49
26 Martin Priestley RAF CA V52 1:22:04
27 Nigel Vuagniaux Bath CC V55 1:22:35
28 Gordon Scott CC Weymouth V55 1:22:54
29 Jenny Lee Yeovil CC LS 1:24:05
30 Paul Winchcombe Chippenham & Dist. Whs V56 1:24:33
31 Matthew Stephenson Salt and Sham Cycle Club V40 1:25:06
32 Paul Freegard Chippenham & Dist. Whs V59 1:25:06
33 Alan Green Bristol South Cycling Club V52 1:26:20
34 Robert Latchem Somer Valley CC V71 1:27:03
35 Neil Lewis Chippenham & Dist. Whs V47 1:29:08
36 Tom Ryan Bath CC V74 1:29:20
37 Steve Barber Chippenham and District Wheelers V48 1:31:52
38 Helen Bennett AVSOMPOL CC LS 1:35:57
39 David Wilton Bath CC V48 1:37:03
40 Emma Gage Velo Club Walcot LV42 1:40:32
41 Mike Hallgarth Anfield BC V59 1:45:39
42 Peter Rogers Tor 2000/Kalas Sportswear V66 1:51:53
John Sirett Dursley Road Club V58 DNF - Mech
Josh Griffiths Bristol South Cycling Club J DNF - P
John Murphy Gloucester City Cycling Club V76 DNS - Apol
Tom Bertenshaw Severn RC S DNS - Apol
James Currie Chippenham & Dist. Whs V40 DNS - Apol
Joanna Knight Bristol South Cycling Club LV56 DNS - Apol
Luke Smith Bristol South Cycling Club V47 DNS
Stephen Clarke Bristol South Cycling Club V53 DNS
Paul Osborne Cheltenham & County CC V40 DNS