Crawley Wheelers CC (sporting)

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  • Date: 02-Apr-21
  • Time: 07:30
  • Distance: 41.6 Miles
  • Course: GS/196
  • Closing Date: 23-Mar-21 23:59
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Veterans McNamara and McGawley charge to victories in Crawley Wheelers TT

  • Published: 04 Apr 21
  • Written By: Snowdon Sports
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Christopher McNamara (Nuun-Sigma Sport-London RT) took over two minutes off the previous course record to win the Crawley Wheelers CC 41.6-mile time trial, while fellow veteran Kerry McGawley (Brighton Triathlon Club) won the women’s event.

McNamara, aged 45, from Worthing, won six events last season and started his 2021 campaign in fine style winning the Good Friday Classic Sporting Time Trial.

The previous course record was set last time the event was run in 2019 with Liam Maybank clocking a time of 1-31-38.

However, McNamara keen to get his season off to a flying start clocked an average speed of nearly 28 miles per hour, despite the 778 feet of elevation gain, clocking a time of 1-29-14.

In her first open time trial event, 42-year-old former World age group triathlon champion Kerry McGawley won the women’s category with a winning time of 1-59-14.

Victoria Miller (Brighton Mitre CC) had to settle for second in 2-02-01 while Beverley Jerome (BellaVelo.cc) finished in the final podium position clocking 2-05-22.

Starting outside Handcross riders descended to Cowfold before completing one lap of a loop taking in West Grinstead, Partridge Green, Ashurst, Steyning, Upper Beeding, Small Dole and Woodmancote.

After reaching the 34.2-mile mark riders then suffer a cruel 7.4-mile leg back to the finish with several rises including the sharp rise out of Crabtree before sprinting to the finish.

Meanwhile, Ross Holland (Saint Piran) led the chase behind McNamara taking second place in 1-31-39.

Junior rider Mattie Dodd (Team Backstedt Bike Performance), who finished seventh in the National Youth Championship Final 10 last season, showed his improvement to take a fine third place clocking 1-33-18 in his first attempt at an event over 25 miles.

There was a close fight for second veteran behind McNamara with Andy Critchlow (Norwood Paragon CC) finishing in 1-34-01 just 13 seconds quicker than host club rider Mark Smith (1-34-14).

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