Good VCB times at 10 and 50 miles

Richards setting off in a recent event

Mark Richards of Velo Club Baracchi took fourth place in the CC Breckland open time trial on the A11 on Sunday after a good showing in an open 10 the day before.

James Moore of VCB rode a personal best in the 50-mile event and Chris Womack rode a season’s best.

Richards’ Saturday ride was in the re-scheduled VTTA East Anglian Group 10 from Six Mile Bottom, south of Newmarket, to Four Went Ways roundabout and back.

A full field of 150 riders was entered and most of them were there, hoping for a fast day on the well-regarded “E2” course, which has great potential.

As it turned out there was a fairly brisk wind which hindered on the first leg and helped on the return.   It was a little strong for some of the riders, particularly in the gusts, but some good times were ridden.

Richards was fourteenth with 20:21. John Swanbury of VCB was timed in at 24:25.

The scratch winner was Matthew Smith of Team Bottrill with 18:38, with Jason Bouttell of team VeloVelocity second in 19:08 and Simon Norman of Bedfordshire Roads RT third-fasstest in 19:34.  Norman may be the veteran winner, with a “plus” of 6:53 against his age standard of 26:27.

Other times of local interest include Harley Matthews of Team PedalRevolution.co.uk with 20:10 (10^th fastest), and Sole Bay Cycle Sport’s Lee Garrod 21:06, Gary Matthews 21:38 and Denise Hurren 23:46.

On Sunday there were showers before the 50, but during the event it stayed dry, with a light breeze from the south west that strengthened during the event.

Richards achieved 1-47:12 for fourth place, Moore was eleventh with 1-51:14, Womack‘s time was 2-05:07 and Swanbury finished in 2-13:54.

Daniel Bloy of Team VeloVelocity won in 1-42:41 from Charles Nurse of North Norfolk Wheelers 1-44:19 and Rob Young of Team Vision Racing – silverhook.co.uk 1-46:17.

Ollie Jones of Ipswich BC was the fastest junior, sixth in 1-48:33 and Lucy Gossage of Cambridge Triathlon Club was the fastest lady in 1-55:08.

This weekend’s events include an open 10 from Earsham organised for VCB by Richards with help from members and friends of the club. There will be up to nine VCB members riding in the event.

Next weekend will be the last one of the time trial season, except for hill climbs.