Richards conquers 50-mile open TT and partners Gentry in two events

Mark Richards of Velo Club Baracchi surprised himself, though perhaps nobody else, with his win in the 50-mile open time trial staged by Godric CC on Sunday.

His time was 1-53:39, very swift for a single carriageway course.  Andrew Leggett of Team VeloVelocity was second in 1-54:08 with his team-mate Paul Jay third in 1-55:00.

VCB’s Paul Hayward achieved 2-00:36 and George Kerridge 2-04:39, both good times. The top lady was Verity Smith of Stowmarket & District CC with 2-08:15 and Jenny Anderson of Gt Yarmouth CC came next in 2-17:11.

In last Tuesday’s Godric CC club 25, quite a few two-up teams rode, including VCB members riding for the Baracchi Trophy, as they do annually.

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 time trial last ridden in 1990 in northern Italy.

Richards rode with Liam Gentry and they won the club trophy with 53:53. Paul Dennington and Kerridge rode together in 57:57 and appear to be the winners of the Baracchi Handicap Trophy.

Hayward recorded 1-01:03 in the solos and Chris Womack ran him very close with 1-01:53.  Simon Asher of Godric CC and G Money of Iceni Velo, each riding solo, tied for the solo win in 58:50.

Gentry leads Richards in the VCN race (photo by Jack Payne)

Gentry and Richards both rode in the VC Norwich road race at Great Cressingham.  On the run in to the finish near the front of the bunch Richards was obstructed and had to ease off, so that he was soon left with no chance.

Gentry had also enjoyed a strong race and was able to keep up his charge for the line to finish in sixth place, second in the bunch sprint.

Lewis Pendle of the home club won the race, with Lyster Romero of Ipswich BC second and Michael Parry of Welwyn Wheelers third.  Gentry, who, like Richards, is a second cat rider these days, earned twelve points with that result.