Mercia Report 31-05-09

In his first open event Jack Hugill was first on handicap in the Echelon Midlands Veterans open 10 mile time trial organised by Stafford Road Club at Weston near Stafford. His time of 24 43 was also a personnel best. Peter Rose timed 31 24. Just twenty four seconds below his age standard. Joe Murray (Hinckley CRC) was the fastest of the 80 competitors timing 21 38. Plan B's Sean & Neil Sleigh won the tandem event in 21 44.

A wet day on the Wolvey 10 mile course near Hinckley saw Simon Smith finish in 13th place timing 22 54 in the Coventry RC event. Gary Brown's time of 24 23 was a good one considering he had the worst of the rain. The fastest rider was Zenith CC's Ian Ball in 21 09.

Three Mercia HBM riders successfully completed The Midland Monster Sportive organised by CC Giro Cycling Club, starting & finishing at the Forestry Centre at Rosliston. The three riders chose the 160 kilometre distance which took the riders into the hillier parts of Staffordshire & Derbyshire by way of Uttoxeter, Cheddleton Leek, Axe Edge, The Morridge & Ashbourne. Phil Jones completed the distance in 7 hrs 4 mins. Simon Parker & Ben Startin finished in 7 hrs 10 mins. A combined total of 230 riders rode both the the shorter 100 km & the longer 160 km distances.

After a short break the Waters brothers were back racing in the Lichfield City Cycling club's youth races on the Curborough sprint circuit. In the under 8's Elliott finished 2nd overall in the combined time trial & two races. Bailey in the under 10's was 8th overall & in the under 12's Joshua was 9th overall.

In the Tuesday night's racing at Mallory Park for 3rd & 4th category riders Simon Parker finished the 60 km race & Keith Staley retired after 30 km. The winner was Sam Lowe a member of the Derby based Go sports Spex Racing Team.

David Clarke was the fastest rider in the club's 10 mile evening time trial. Second fastest was Sean Sleigh & third was Christian Aucote. The times were as follows. David Clarke ( Pendragon Kalas) 23 20, Sean Sleigh (Plan B) 24 05, Christian Aucote (Yeti Factory Racing) 24 24, Daniel Partington (Plan B) 25 30, Keith Staley 25 57, Jack Hugill 26 19, Simon Parker 26 19, Jeff Slinn 26 55, Alec Taylor 27 12, Justin Waters 28 03, Andrew Wendle 29 40, Ivor James 30 07, Nick Marriott 30 12, Keiron Patterson 30 45, Colin Johnson 30 45, Adrian Waters 31 47, Andy Burton 32 03 Peter Rose 35 19 & at 1 lap Dave Peters 18 42.