Mercia Report 13-06-10

Five cyclists from the Burton area started & competed in the BDCA 100 mile time trial between Etwall, Mickleover, Uttoxeter, Blythe Bridge & Rocester. This popular event attracts riders from all over the country with an entry of 120 including reserves. Andy Day (Plan B RT), in his first 100 mile time trial, timed 4 03 54 to finish 4th in the BDC Association event. In 10th place was Jack Hugill (Mercia HBM CC), also his first 100 mile time trial, in 4 22 45. Noel Adams (Mercia HBM CC) finished 11th in 4 24 18 Noel was suffering from cramp which slowed him down considerably. Jim Hopper (Derby Mercury RC) timed 5 04 45 on his tricycle to finish in 18th place. In the separate ladies event Anne Staley (PlanB RT) finished in 4 43 15, a personal best to finish 7th fastest lady. Charles Taylor (South Pennine RC) was 2nd fastest in the open event in 3 39 31 to win the Don Miller Trophy as the fastest rider in a BDCA club, the fastest rider overall was Julian Jenkinson (Utag- Yamha.com) in 3 36 55. 25 riders finished with times under 4hrs.

Anne Staley won another age standard medal when she finished with a time of 1 05 32 in the Women’s National 25 mile Championships held at Boroughbridge in Yorkshire. The championship was held on the old undulating A1 course. The weather conditions were not ideal as the day was rather humid. She finished a respectable 34th out of an entry of 72 riders. The winner for the 3rd time in a row was Julia Shaw (Utag- Yamaha.com) in 54 30.

Road racing again at Mallory Park saw Simon Parker this time try a solo break away, again the main field caught him on the last lap, Parker managed to contest the sprint for the line finishing 11th in the 60km race for 3rd & 4th category riders. Ewan Davidson retired with 9 laps to go.

Four Mercia HBM riders competed in the Heanor Clarion open 10 mile held on the Etwall Foston course, good weather conditions saw the riders do some fast times. Noel Adams timed 21 55 to finish in 21st place out of the 76 competitors. Jack Hugill timed 22 11, Matt Simons 23 12 & Mick Skivington 23 29. (Hugill & Skivington both recorded personal bests) Yoxall rider Jim Hopper (Derby Mercury) timed 26 42 on his tricycle. The winner was 30 mph rider Barry Charlton (Lyme RC) in 19 54.

Good weather conditions on the Yoxall course saw some fast times in the evening 10 mile time trial with Matt Simons beating Daniel Partington by one second. The wind was in the riders favour on the longest leg out to Constitution Island on the A515. Times were as follows: Matt Simons 24 40, Daniel Partington 24 41, Nigel Roberts 25 22, Phil Machin 25 29, Peter Collins 26 20, Jeff Lea 26 30, Jack Hugill 26 40, Mick Skivington 26 42, Ryan Clarke (Birmingham CC) 26 49, Jeff Slinn 27 33, Tony Marlow 27 33, Craig Tucker 27 54, Mick Abbott 28 09, Andy Burton 29 35, & Elija Koyacevk 30 19