Kayleigh Wales (Wisbech Wheelers) was quickest female, while Darran Bennett (Ely and District CC) was fastest in the open category at the Kings Lynn CC 10-mile time trial in Norfolk on Saturday.
Bennett clocked 21-40 to take victory on the B10/37r course near Tottenhill by 16 seconds from Matthew McClure (Wisbech Wheelers), while Terry Garlinge (Easterley Road Club) was third in 22-25.
Wales covered the course in 27-29 and was fastest female by just 18 seconds with Sally Withey (Swift Racing) runner-up and Denese Hallahan (Fenland Clarion) completing the podium in third.
“I was pleased with the result in tough conditions,” said Bennett. “It was the fastest start ever on that course with a strong back wind, then I was holding on as strong as I could after the turn. Hopefully this is a good omen for the rest of the season!”
Bennett now plans to ride the Cambridge CC 15 next weekend, then the following weekend the Lee Valley CC 25.
Wisbech Wheelers’ Kayleigh Wales, the fastest female, said afterwards: “On the morning of the race I was a little nervous, the weather wasn’t how I was hoping and I’d only just got my bike back out on the road since hanging it up in September.
“I wasn’t feeling fully prepared or ready for the race ahead and this was going to be my third time trial since taking up cycling (Duathlons is my usual race).
“But I wasn’t going to let the wind defeat me, especially the head wind on the final stretch so I used the tail wind as much as I could to gain some speed.
“The rain held off so all in all a great race, I was extremely happy with the result. A very well organised race.”
Velouse Flyers were the winning team with their trio being made up of Dean Buckingham, Ben Keeley and Jamie MacPherson. And Robert Golding (Ely and District CC) was fastest on a road bike in 23-51, 37 seconds better than his team-mate John Manlow.
The event was run off on a sunny but chilly day with a northerly wind, with a tailwind on the leg to Bexwell providing welcome assistance.
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