Mercia Report 09-08-2009

Four Mercia HBM riders competed in the Heanor Clarion 25 mile time trial for the slowest 120 riders on the Etwall Uttoxeter course. Simon Parker was the fastest club member in 1 01 21. Only 44 seconds behind him was Mark Eccleston in 1 02 05, a new personal best by over 3 minutes. In his first 25 mile time trial Ben Startin timed1 04 34. Ivor James timed 1 12 48. The winner was Edward Walters (Derby Triathlon Club) in 52 54.

Although it was the 4th Tuesday evening time trial in a row that it was raining, nine riders competed in the penultimate 10 mile time trial. Daniel Partington (Plan B) was the fastest in 25 12. Second fastest was Mercia HBM rider Jack Hugill in 25 43. Third fastest was Simon Parker in 26 24. The rest of the riders & times were Tony Marlow 28 48, James Lathbury 29 37, Kieron Patterson 30 51, Adrian Waters 30 52, Andy Burton 32 20, & Peter Rose 34 45.

Simon Parker got another placing in the Mallory Park Tuesday evening road race league for 3rd &4th category riders. Parker finished 9th giving him another 2 points towards a 3rd category racing licence. The 55 kilometre race was won by Junior rider Sam Lowe (Gosports Spex RT) from Derby.

David Clarke (Pendragon Kalas) finished 5th in the 157 kilometre East Yorkshire Premier Classic Road Race at Beverley. Clarke & the veteran professional Kevin Dawson (Sports cover Spuik J.E. James) caught the leading thirteen riders with 20 kilometres to go. In the sprint for the finishing line Dutchman Wouter Sybrandy (Sigma Sport, Specialized, Sportful) was first, Kevin Dawson was second. Clarke finished 5th five seconds behind the leading pair. In the previous days East Yorkshire National Circuit Championship also held in Beverley he was 20th. Other recent results were 12th & 9th respectively in the SIS Criterium races no 15 & 16 held at Preston University.

Jim Hopper (Derby Mercury) covered 360.89 miles on his tricycle in the National 24 hour Championship organised by the Mersey Road Club on Shropshire Cheshire roads. Peter Turner also Derby Mercury covered 414.31 miles on his solo bicycle to finish in 15th place. The winner was John Warnock (Twickenham C C) who recorded 497.12 miles.