The WTTA Hardriders got off to a typically tough start at Chippenham Wheelers’ Open. The coures was just under 25 miles on roads around Sutton Benger, Lyneham and Malmesbury. The riders had to battle against a cold headwind over the first half of the route before turning and getting pushed back home. Simon Rouse emerged fastest GDW rider with 1 hour 4 minutes, 38 seconds, some six minutes faster than he managed at this event two years ago. James Chant finished on 1.06.23, Chris Mullett got badly held up and had to stop for a while at the last roundabout on his way to 1.14.20 while Emma Bradley, taking part in her first Hardrider tt and riding ‘non-aero’, was second fastest lady rider with 1.16.52. The overall winner was under-23 rider Doug Dewey (GWR Team) with a stunning 53.49, beating all the usual frontrunners.
Afterwards, the awards for the 2010 series were handed out with the team of Simon Rouse, James Chant and Sarah Roberts picking up prizes for 4th placed team.
The day before, at Somerset RC’s Open 10 mile tt on the A38, Simon Rouse was again the fastest GDW rider. This time the headwind was on the return leg and he completed another hard ride in 24.52 for 20th. Don Tanner fnished with 26.58 for 31st and John Phillips came 33rd with 28.33. Stu Dodd was the winner, the Drag2Zero rider’s time was 20.36, a very quick time on a ‘slow course’. Full results here
The Gorrick MTB Spring Series continued at the weekend, round 3 taking place at Heath Warren Woods over a twisting and demanding singletrack course. Paul Hopkins (Merida UK) continues to win in a similar manner this season, taking another win after a race long duel until the last lap when Paul opened up a decisive gap over AW Cycles rider Mark Hutt. Kim Little was 6th in Masters Male race with Julian Chown in 19th while in the Open Male race Nigel Brown was 3rd, around one and half minutes back from the winner Paul Thomas (VC Revolution). Nigel’s son Tom came home 29th from a huge field of 85 starters.
Full results can be seen here
The Army CU crits saw Mike Smith and James Gray taking part in the 3rd Cat race, James finishing 12th and Mike 16th , while Emma Bradley was second in the women’s race.
