Dupen tops the VC Baracchi results on Good Friday
John Dupen of Velo Club Baracchi was the club’s fastest rider in Gt Yarmouth CC’s Good Friday open 10 on the A143, based at Wortwell Village Hall and starting not far from Redenhall roundabout, to turn at Clays.
John Dupen (photo by Mark Richards)
He and Paul Dennington were in competition for the honour of being the club’s fastest and neither knew quite what to expect as Dennington had missed most of last year’s racing through injury.
Paul Dennington (photo by Mark Richards)
As it turned out, Dupen was timed in at 23:29 and Dennington was disappointed with 23:55, though he tied with former club member Mark Newnham (Anglia Velo).
Chris Womack (photo by Mark Richards)
Chris Womack could not match these two and his closest opposition turned out to be Steve Summons. Womack just beat Summons by 24:42 to 24:57. George Kerridge’s time was 25:22.
Steve Summons was the second to set off
George Kerridge (photo by Mark Richards)
John Swanbury and Mark Womack (son of Chris) were likely to ride similar times to each other and each did his best to beat the other as they were off from the start a minute apart and at the turn could see each other’s progress. In the result Swanbury was the quicker with 26:01 to Mark Womack’s 26:29.
John Swanbury (photo by Mark Richards)
Mark Womack (photo by Mark Richards)
Joe Reynolds, whose debut 10 was last year, rode a personal best time of 28:16 and will undoubtedly improve further on a more suitable day.
Nicki Hawkes, riding for Team VeloVelocity, tied with Jenny Anderson of Gt Yarmouth CC on 26:37 though both were beaten by Sally Withey of VC Norwich (26:04). A number of longer times were ridden by other ladies.
The early starters, including Summons, had to contend with a cold shower, though for the most part the weather was dry. What made it difficult was a coldish, gusting northerly wind that raked the more exposed parts of the course. The return leg (a little shorter than the outward one) was slightly the easier of the two.
The open event had been over-subscribed and a full field of 120 were entered, most of whom rode. The winner was Jim Burgess of Anglia Velo with 21:05, from James Trenchard of Godric CC with 21:30 and Harley Matthews of Strada Sport, third in 21:53.
John Grayston of Gt Yarmouth CC picked up the first handicap prize and Jason Turner of Norwich ABC took the top veteran prize.
The VCB club run on Sunday attracted seven riders including one had read the details in the Journal, Dave Vingoe, who was visiting Lowestoft and rides for Barnsley Road Club.
The 8.30am ride from Cotmer Road roundabout went first to Halesworth and then through Wissett to Homersfield and Bungay, where some of the riders stopped at the café before returning.
· There are now more than 125 entries in Beccles Cycle for Life charity ride on May 11 and it is building up quickly. Distances are 7, 15, 25, 40 and 50 miles. There is a draw for a free bike for a sponsored rider and two other draw prizes, one of which is for the 40-mile distance sponsored by Norfolk & Suffolk Financial Services Ltd. See www.becclescycleforlife.org for entry details. It is suitable for riders of all kinds, including families.
