Last updated at 14:49, Thursday, 29 July 2010

ON FORM: Mike Speight

CYCLING

PERFECT conditions on the A590 meant some blistering times were set on the first Barrow Central Wheelers promoted open 10-mile time trial of the season.

The Levens to Lindale course always has the potential to produce fast speeds and this race was no exception – the first five riders all inside 20 minutes, averaging more than 30mph.

The fastest rider was Michael Ellerton, of Team Swift, who also took the veteran 40 prize with his very impressive 19 minutes 31 seconds.

Just five seconds behind was David Crawley, of Fibrax Wrexham RC, with Scott Westwood, of Walsall RCC, third on 19.38.

Another vet 40, Barry Charlton, of Lyme RC, finished in 19.43, with Stephen Leigh, of Team BGlobal, the final man under 20 minutes on 19.54.

The impressive times went right through the ranks, with Kent Valley RC’s Dave Baxter the top vet 50, and fastest local rider, on 20.17.

Tony Farrell, of Westmead Team88, was the fastest vet 60 on 21.26, with Ron Johnson, of Altrincham Ravens RCC, heading the vet 70s in 24.17.

Jack Green, of VC St Raphael, was the fastest junior in 20.10, with Lucinda Seymour, of ScienceInSport.com, the quickest lady in 24.02.

Fastest Wheeler, and equal-second fastest vet 60, was Mike Speight in 21.47, while other Furness riders were Wheeler Sean Casson, 21.50; Adam McBirnie, TeamProBikeKit.com, 22.03; Martyn Uttley, Lakes RC, 22.06; Eamonn Quinn, Lakes RC, 22.08; and Wheeler Anthony Forrest, 22.33.

Back on the club scene, Scott Smith continues to dominate the midweek time trial programme, comfortably posting the fastest time in the Novices and Handicap 25-mile event with a scorching personal best of 56.36.

This secured Smith another club trophy, as he was also the fastest on handicap, with Graham Pitcher, who was fifth-fastest Wheeler on 1.04.53, taking the fastest novice award.

The other ride of the night was by comeback cyclist Jon Evans, who was second fastest, both overall and on handicap, with a rapid 57.30, demonstrating it has not taken him long to get back the searing form of his heyday.

Veteran Mike Speight rode many a younger rider off his wheels with a superb personal best 57.43 for third overall, while Chris Burrows’ 1.05.11 gave him third on handicap.

Other Wheelers’ times were: Glenn Rhodes, 58.56; Graham Pitcher, 1.04.53; and Pat Hercberg, 1.15.26.

Andy Holladay, of Lakes RC, was the fastest guest rider on a 58.06 personal best, followed by club-mates Quinn in a personal best 58.49, and Uttley in 58.57.

McBirnie clocked 59.30 and other guest riders, all from Lakes RC, were Howard Lindow, 1.00.10; Colin McKenna, 1.00.20; Richard Dixon, 1.01.00 (personal best); and Paul Maxwell, 1.02.17.

Evans posted the fastest Wheelers’ time in the previous week’s rain-hit Circuit of Cartmel. His 36.40 was more than a minute too quick for Forrest, on 37.46, and Steven Brennan, on 38.49. Smith missed out as he punctured and did not finish.

Gary Spenceley, of Lakes RC, was fastest on the night with 35.52, Lindow clocking 37.15 and Quinn 37.25.

Other Wheelers’ times were: Rhodes, 39.12; Pitcher, 41.31; Geoff Wade, 42.00; James Stott, 43.07; Renell Brennan, 45.24; Hercberg, 48.59; and Derek Griffiths, 48.55.

Other guest times were: Holladay, 37.43; McBirnie, 38.19; Jon Lever (Lakes RC), 39.29; Maxwell, 40.07; and Anne Plant (Wheelbase), 44.32.

Smith managed to maintain his tyre pressure over the three previous weeks’ 10-mile events, to score a hat trick of victories and put the 10s trophy beyond doubt.

He clocked 23.01 in tough conditions, and 21.57 on a better night, both on the A590 Haverthwaite to Ulverston course, and 24.27 on the much more challenging Coast Road course.

Details of Wheelers events can be found at barrowcentralwhs.org.uk

First published at 13:05, Thursday, 29 July 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk