Mercia Report 29-06-08

David Clarke rode the Tour of Romania as guest rider for the German team Norland Hamburg. The seven stage race was over 1,176km including the prologue time trial. Clarke finished third on stage 2 over 137km & 8th on stage 4 over 96km. The longest stage was the 5th over 207km, in which he finished 23rd. Overall he finished in 8th position. The stage race was won by Manolo Zanell of the Italian National Team.

On the local scene five Mercia HBM riders rode the Burton & District Cycling Alliance 10 mile time trial, organised by the Belper Bicycle Club on the Etwall/Foston course. Matt Simons was the fastest of the five in 23 34 beating Noel Adams by one second, timing 23 35. Keith Staley timed 24 20, Gary Brown 24 40 & Ivor James 27 01. Prolific winner of local time trials James Perkins (Zenith CC) was again the fastest in 20 26.

Peter Rose rode in the Hinckley CRC 10 mile time trial instead, timing 32 18 on the tough Wolvey course. There was a strong cross wind on the outward leg to the A5 island. Scott Walker of the promoting club was the fastest of the 65 riders in 22 07.

Another good turn of 17 riders competed in the Mercia HBM club’s 10 mile evening time trial, incorporating the fastest riders on handicap times. Fastest on actual time was David Clarke in 23 15, Second was Sean Sleigh (Plan B) in 23 51. Third was Mercia’s Steve Plummer in 24 10, followed by Steve Herriman (Plan B)in 25 06, Daniel Partington (Plan B) 25 47, Keith Staley 26 00, Simon Parker 26 16,Phil Jones 26 54, Alec Taylor 27 32, Jeff Lea & Mark Eccleston both timed 28 14, Mark Ward 28 34, Andrew Wendle 28 48, Colin Johnson 29 09, Adrian Waters 29 41 & Dave Peters at 1 lap 17 34. Ivor James did not finish due to problems with a farm vehicle. The first three on handicap were Mark Eccleston 21 14, Andrew Wendle 21 18 & Colin Johnson 21 56.