Bitterly cold weather descended on God’s own country this weekend for the Yorkshire CF 10-mile time trial on the O10/1 Blaxton to Hatfield circuit in South Yorkshire.

Reports of snow and ice put paid to any ambitions riders might have had to lay down a marker for the season. Nevertheless, a full field turned out for the very flat A road course, straight out and back, but exposed to the elements and with a hurtling crosswind to contend with. The early starters were also blessed by a squally, lacerating hailstorm.

The men’s event was keenly contested, with six seconds separating first and third. Richard Sharp (York Cycleworks) edged Simon Beldon (SSLL) by the tightest of margins, a single second.

In the run-up, Sharp described  the weather as ‘character building’, and he proved himself to be made of the right stuff with his first win of the season: “It was cold but pretty much dry for me, I found a number of the potholes though and had a wet roundabout. Needless to say I am very surprised, never thought I would win this one.”

Scratch rider Beldon attributed his downfall to the weather; “I'm useless when it's cold.”

It was quite a long way from a glassy drag strip, with a number of riders avoiding (or not) the cratered road surface, including Duncan Mullier (Harrogate Nova) who found the experience “Horrendous.  There was hail on the way back and I smashed into one pothole after another”. 

Anne Walsham (Maxx RT) was fastest lady in 24.20, beating Alex Smethurst of Team Swift by 38 seconds. Equal prize money ensured a good field; with winners taking home £40 for their efforts; or roughly £120 per hour. Nice work, if you can get it. Harry Buxton (Out of the Saddle) and Felicity Gledhill (Sports City Velo )were fastest juniors and Team Swift took both team prizes on offer.

Results:

1. Richard Sharp York Cycleworks 20.59

2. Simon Beldon SSSL 21.00

3. Richard Lunt Rossington Wheelers 21.05

Ladies

1. Anne Walsham Maxx RT 24.20

2. Alex Smethurst Team Swift 24.58

3. Kirsty Smith Team Swift 25.26

Juniors

1. Harry Buxton, Out of the Saddle 24.16

1. Felicity Gledhill, Sports City Velo 27.56

Male Team Bramley, Krygsman, Burrows, Team Swift

Ladies Smedhurst, Smith, Team Swift

V40-49

Darryl Wall, Out of the Saddle, 21.35

Sarah Lewtsthwaite, East Bradford CC 28.10

V50-59

Robbie Krygsman, Team Swift 22018

Helen Simpson, East Bradford CC 30.40

V6

Andrew Ziemacki, Rotherham Wheelers 26.14

Novice

Gavin Mann, 53:Eleven 25.35