Hayward and Gentry excel in hill events but watch out for youngsters

Velo Club Baracchi riders enjoyed two hill events on Sunday.  One was a freewheeling competition for the downhill experts and the other was a conventional hill climb.

Assembled riders for the hill events

Nick Esser ready to ride the freewheel comp

It was Paul Hayward who took the VCB freewheeling trophy win on Jays Hill in Sotterley, when he set off from a standing start atop the hill and had the best VCB result.

Freewheel champ Hayward

Hayward had a puncture before he reached the hill and by the time he rode down it his club-mates were all lined up beside the road in the positions in which they had come to a stop, with Keith Wink at the front.

Wink looked to be the winner, so it was quite a surprise to all when Hayward sailed past Wink to gain another yard or two.  However, some riders may have remembered that last year Hayward also rode the furthest, but was riding for Rock Estate and therefore ineligible for the VCB trophy.

Hayward was anxious to squeeze out the last few inches from his ride and everyone laughed when he persisted so long that he collapsed in a heap in the road when he came to a stop.  He soon leapt up to hold his bike aloft in triumph.

As always, secret pedalling, lunging and other forms of gamesmanship were prohibited and Hayward met the requirements.

The group of twenty riders continued to the hill climb at Station Road in Alburgh near Homersfield, which is known to the riders as Dove Hill, but is apparently more properly Holbrook Hill.

This was where the real fitness and ability was required and those who wished to compete tackled the hill climb with enthusiasm.

Liam Gentry of VCB repeated his win of last year, but only just, taking the Bernard Dale memorial trophy.  The second and third places of last year were reversed, with young Lucas He able to beat Mark Richards.

Gentry on the climb

There were great rides by other new young prospects Jordan Phillips and Archie Roberts and ironman triathlon professional Joe Skipper also rode well, though James Drake just pipped him to fifth place.

The full results, in seconds, were Liam Gentry 38.2, Lucas He 39.3, Mark Richards 39.8, Jordan Phillips 41.6, James Drake 42.7, Joe Skipper 43.0, Archie Roberts 44.9, Ian Sandall 46.7, Dave Loynes 47.0, Paul Hayward 47.5, Paul Reed 49.3, Paul Dennington 49.7, Alex He 49.8, Ali Banks 53.0.

• The VCB annual meeting will be on Monday November 14 at the Carlton pub in London Road South, Pakefield
• The annual presentation evening is Saturday November 19, also at the Carlton.