Chambers proves fastest at Southdowns Bikes TT in Sussex
Gary Chambers (NOPINZ) proved fastest as Southdowns Bikes staged their 33.81-kilometre early season time trial in West Sussex on Sunday.
The 30-year-old covered the challenging GS989 course from Storrington in 48.24 to win the event by 40 seconds from Chris McNamara (Nuun-Sigma Sport), while last year’s winner Pat Wright (Paceline RT) had to settle for third this time, 1-13 behind Chambers.
Ria Woodfield (Kingston Wheelers) was once again the fastest woman, clocking 1:07.25 to win by over nine minutes from her nearest rival, but like most riders her time was down somewhat on their performances 12 months ago.
Conditions were pretty good for the time of year. Although dull and overcast it was largely dry save for a bit of moisture on the tarmac, and the marshals would’ve felt the cold after a few hours stood around in temperatures little more than 4-5 degrees.
“I knew I would be in the mix today, because I’ve been going well all winter, but I knew it would be tight between me, Chris and Pat,” said Chambers, who is in the Navy. “It’s the first time that I’ve had a good winter because I’ve been ill over the last few years at this time of year.
“It was a little bit nippy but that’s to be expected at this time of year. There was a slight cross wind over the last four or five miles from the roundabout on the way back, and I didn’t feel a headwind at any point, so it was quite a good day.
“It’s not your average time trial, it’s a pretty challenging course. I tend to go well on this type of course because I’m quite light so I was itching to get started.
“I’m racing the Perf’s Pedal Race next week, then I’m heading to New Zealand with work until April, so I was keen to get an event done before going.”
As well as second overall, 41-year-old Chris McNamara (Nuun-Sigma Sport) was best veteran on standard with a plus of 6.40, giving him the win by almost two and a half minutes from Pete Tadros (In Gear-Quickvit-Trainsharp) who took the £30 prize under the ‘one rider one prize’ rule.
Gary Brind (South Downs Bikes) was the third best veteran on standard, but helped South Downs Bikes to the team prize alongside Stuart Bettis and Paul Barnard. Their combined time of 2:35.51 was more than ten minutes quicker than the next best trio – which was also from South Downs Bikes.
Abellio-SFA Racing Team youngster Matt Williams was the fastest junior, beating last year’s junior winner Theo Tadros (In Gear-Quickvit Trainsharp) by almost three minutes.
And Southdowns Bikes were also celebrating victory in the road bike category with Stephen Cavey clocking 55.24, winning the category from Matt Alderson (The Cycleroom) by 1-11.
The course takes riders south west out of Storrington, passing through Amberley and Houghton on the B2139 before joining the A29 to Fontwell. A left turn onto the A27 takes riders to Arundel, before they head back north to rejoin the B2139 on the homeward leg.
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.
Results:
Pos Name Club Cat Actual
1 Gary Chambers NOPINZ S30 48:24
2 Chris McNamara Nuun-Sigma Sport-London RT V41 48:44
3 Pat Wright Paceline RT S32 49:37
4 Mark Emsley Team ASL S27 51:01
5 James Lowden Paceline RT S30 51:06
6 Stuart Bettis South Downs Bikes / Casco Europe S32 51:39
7 Gary Brind South Downs Bikes / Casco Europe V42 51:53
8 Richard Gildea Didcot Phoenix CC S31 51:56
9 Peter Tadros In-Gear Quickvit Trainsharp RT V46 52:03
10 Paul Barnard South Downs Bikes / Casco Europe S31 52:19
11 Alex Napier Blazing Saddles V43 52:53
12 Simon Berogna Velo Club St Raphael V43 52:54
13 James Bricknell Fareham Wheelers CC S18 53:10
14 Andy Langdown Blazing Saddles V48 53:20
15 Andy Smith Velo Club St Raphael V42 53:29
16 Henry Farrell Endeavour RT S26 53:36
17 John Cockrill Abellio - SFA Racing Team S25 53:49
18 Tom Glandfield Lewes Wanderers CC V43 53:50
18 Jon Hughes Velo Club Godalming & Haslemere V45 53:50
20 Kevin Plummer South Downs Bikes / Casco Europe V51 54:04
21 Callum Clark In-Gear Quickvit Trainsharp RT S19 54:17
21 George Welfare Eastbourne Rovers CC S31 54:17
23 Tony Reeves GS Stella V45 54:58
24 Stephen Cavey South Downs Bikes / Casco Europe S25 55:24
25 Matt Alderson The Cycleroom S28 56:35
26 David Churchill Bigfoot CC V57 56:46
27 Darryl Rice South Downs Bikes / Casco Europe V52 57:04
28 Oliver Fenton South Downs Bikes / Casco Europe S21 57:05
29 Joshua Monk The Cycleroom S24 57:41
30 Perry Lee Southdown Velo V53 57:55
31 Ian Bray Addiscombe CC S30 57:56
32 Jonathan Pontin Addiscombe CC S26 58:39
33 Aaron Smith Bognor Regis CC S18 58:44
34 Matt Williams Abellio - SFA Racing Team J15 58:55
35 Ian Cheesman Worthing Excelsior CC V47 58:56
36 Peter Rowe Southborough & Dist. Whs V52 59:28
37 Stuart Harvey Team ASL S36 59:40
38 Neil Crowther Worthing Excelsior CC V43 59:56
39 Stuart Thompson Andover Wheelers V42 1:00:45
40 Theo Tadros In-Gear Quickvit Trainsharp RT J14 1:01:44
41 Jon Fry Horsham Cycling V46 1:01:45
42 John Glaysher a3crg S39 1:02:04
43 Den Tapping a3crg V60 1:03:31
44 Geoff Smith Eastbourne Rovers CC V66 1:03:52
45 Steve Jackson Blazing Saddles V42 1:04:52
46 Piers August Wyndymilla S39 1:07:11
47 Ria Woodfield Kingston Wheelers CC WS27 1:07:25
48 Joan Lennon Worthing Excelsior CC WV59 1:16:30
49 Penny Edwards Tri- Anglia Triathlon Club WV62 1:16:38
Paul Edwards Bognor Regis CC V52 DNF
Keith Geere GS Stella V66 DNS(A)
Dave Dent GS Stella V53 DNS(A)
Stuart Jago GS Stella V60 DNS(A)
Mike Piper Abellio - SFA Racing Team V40 DNS(A)
Ben Fielden GS Stella V75 DNS(A)
Steve Grout Epsom CC V54 DNS(A)
Peter Graham North Hampshire RC V53 DNS(A)
Stewart Crooks South Downs Bikes / Casco Europe V40 DNF
Simon McNamara South Downs Bikes / Casco Europe V41 DNS(A)
John Powell Team ASL S38 DNS(A)