Banks and Bedford are Baracchi Trophy winners

In a close contest Ali Banks and Paul Bedford were worthy winners of the Baracchi Trophy, awarded to club members in the two-up time trial organised by Velo Club Baracchi on the Somerleyton 25-mile course.

Their ride was timed in at 1-07:31 and by the finish Bedford, who has not taken part in many competitions of late, was clearly exhausted by having put in as much as he possibly could.

They beat the next-fastest home team of Steve Summons and James Moore by five seconds, leaving the second team wondering where the time was lost for their 1-07:36.

Paul Dennington and Mark Newnham decided at the last moment to ride and were rewarded by third place in 1-08:51, achieved on their road bikes.

Propping up the field were John Swanbury and Mark Womack in 1-12:15, though this included a good sit down for Swanbury after a mishap at Herringfleet on the last lap, when he came off the bike but was not seriously hurt and was eventually able to finish.

Faster times were recorded by the club’s guests from Gt Yarmouth CC.  Ben Mackett and Lewis Roberts were quickest with 1-02:53 and Kevin Coman and Phil Denby next with 1-06:02.

Richard Allen organised the event for the club, put out the safety signs and timed the riders.  He achieved the continuation of this event in the club, derived from a former major north Italian time trial, Mino Baracchi’s promotion in memory of his father Angelo.

Several of the VCB riders had the chance to ride for fast times on the A11 from Besthorpe, as the East District CA 10-mile championship that had been rained off in June took place for those already entered.

Forty-three of the original 93 entrants took part and they enjoyed a fast tailwind on the outgoing leg but suffered in the wind on the return

Chris Womack posted the fastest VCB time with 24:12, followed by John Dupen with 24:32 and John Thompson with 28:24, which was, he said, “a relatively good ride for me.”

Jason Bouttell of Team Velovelocity.co.uk won in 20:32, beating Mark Arnold of Team PedalRevolution.co.uk into second place by four seconds.

The two open time trials on the A143 this weekend bring to an end the current local time trial season.

The Keith Stephens Memorial Duathlon is this Sunday October 7 from Carlton Colville Primary School (formerly Gisleham Middle School) at 9am.  Anyone who wants to take part is welcome to join this informal event.  Entry is on the line and relay teams of two can take part.

John Thompson has organised an Audax ride (100km and 200km) starting from Blundeston at 8am on October 14.

 

Below is a “Cycling” magazine account of the Baracchi Trophy ( the real Italian one) in 1979 – click on image to see larger.