Dennington and Womack personal bests; Denton and Richards win Baracchi Trophy 2014

The Baracchi Trophy two-up time trial on Sunday should have been this week’s headline event but stunning personal bests for Paul Dennington and Chris Womack in Saturday’s VTTA East Anglia event on the A11 for veterans have eclipsed it.

On the course known as the E2 from Six Mile Bottom to Four Went Ways, a combination of near perfect conditions and excellent form enabled Paul Dennington to achieve his first sub-21-minute ride, 20:52. He has only a little way to go to challenge the club record of 20:35 set in 2011 by Liam Gentry.

Chris Womack, 67, amazed club-mates with yet another personal best, 22:13, which knocked 46 seconds off his previous one.

John Thompson rivalled them for the performance of the year, achieving 25:42, which was a couple of minutes below the level at which he has been riding.

Though this was not a personal best it was his best ride for three seasons. His long-standing best of 24:13 was achieved at the age of 38, some 22 years ago.

Jason Kierman of St. Ives CC was the fastest with 19:34 and Matthew Woods of Eastbourne Rovers CC ran this closest with 19:50. Third-fastest was Carl Whitwell of St. Ives CC in 20:12.

There were awards on veteran age standards including the team prize for St. Ives CC for the performances of the above riders plus Peter Balls 20:48 (total team “plus” of +18.45). The winning tandem was ridden by Ewan Hendon and Anthony Wallis Ciclos Uno in 18:21.

The oldest lady in the event, at 85, Constance Tapper of West Suffolk Wheelers, achieved 30:09.

Dennington leads Richards towards Somerleyton bends

In the Baracchi Trophy event Dennington teamed up with his closest club rival, Mark “Titch” Richards to achieve the win. It was kindly hosted within the Gt Yarmouth CC 25-mile club time trial on the Somerleyton course.

The Lowestoft club’s two-up trophy event for club members, like the name of the club itself, was derived from a professional two-up event time trial last ridden in 1990 in northern Italy.

The dream team of Dennington and Richards achieved 58:17, a clear win. There was nothing that other club members, including the defending champions, Mike Bretton and Ali Banks, could do to get anywhere close.

Team Womack or Team Fuji?

Father and son team of Chris and Mark Womack was second in 1-03:11. George Kerridge and Nicki Hawkes rode in 1-04:36, which must surely be a record for a team containing a lady rider.

Kerridge and Hawkes approach Somerleyton

John Swanbury teamed up with a somewhat younger Stephen Grant and together they achieved 1-06:34. It was Grant’s first 25-mile ride and both enjoyed it. They won the handicap version of the trophy.

Swanbury and Grant

Bretton and Banks, riding without tri-bars, recorded 1-06:58. Non-members Gary Matthews and Lee Garrod of Sole Bay Cycle Sport recorded 1-05:24. Richard Allen, riding solo, was timed in at 1-15:19. The fastest solo rider was Harley Matthews (GYCC) 57:46.

Banks and Bretton

Richard Allen sets off on his tod

Thompson was disappointed in the Wisbech Wheelers 25 (ridden the opposite way round to the usual) to go off course near the end. He was not the only one to do so.