Newbury Velo Event

It was May by name, but unfortunately not May by nature. Rather than warm weather, light winds and bunnies and maypole dancers on course, we were faced with a strengthening, bitter south-westerly wind and the maypole dancers had been replaced with timekeepers who (once again) had to dress up in Michelin man-style attire to stave off hypothermia.

With home club rider Andy Tucker starting proceedings at 08:30, his time of 22:42 defied the conditions - which we have to say got worse over the course of the event (later riders, you really *did* have an excuse today!)

Nevertheless, perhaps the later riders didn't need an excuse given the times they had churned out. Whilst Dan Bigham's course record remained safely untouched (his blistering performance in last year's Newbury Velo-hosted National 10 championship), one of the hugely talented Team Ohten Aveas riders - Joel Stewart - still managed to get under 20 minutes (19:55) to win the competition. Amazingly, Joel is still fairly new to the discipline of time trialling, and will be one of a handful of people who managed a sub-nineteen minute team on their second ever open time trial (18:56 on the F11/10 last September).

Second place in the men's field went to (fairly) local rider, Anthony Turner (Mickey Cranks CC). Anthony put out a fast time of 20:19 which cements his gradually improving form over the past few years. Third place went to Chris Holmes (Twickenham CC) who finished just ten seconds behind Anthony with 20:29.

Amongst the women, it was Laura Pittard (Brother UK - Team OnForm) who took the win with an excellent time of 24:13. It was Laura's first open of the year (which is always a shock to the system) and makes her performance even more impressive. In second place, Jordan Matthews (Maidenhead & District CC) took the honours with a time of 25:08. Looking at her profile, we believe that this is Jordan's first ever open time trial so to podium is quite an outstanding achievement! Well done Jordan. Third place went to Grace Kelly (25:35) from Oakley Pedalers - and only her second event too!

A special mention also goes to Freya Eccleston (Palmer Park Velo) who was top juvenile female of the day with a superquick 26:33 (and a sparkly new 10 mile personal best) and also to Toby Brown (TrainSharp Development Team) who somehow managed to knock out a 21:05 for sixth overall - despite also being a juvenile. It's great to see such fantastic times from the junior riders.

Twickenham CC narrowly knocked the home team off the top spot to claim team first place today, so well done to Chris Holmes, Gareth Williams and Duncan Emery. Our fastest trio of Matt Fisher, Martyn Harris and Tom Meir also put on an excellent show and I'm sure will be back for more!

Thank you once more to our fantastic team of helpers today: Margot Cornes (HQ Boss - with the help of a toy shark), Connor Dooley-Jones (Man of the Match with a right-foot extraordinaire), Jaymi Dooley (Sign-on and just being Jaymi), Lucy Cornes (Sign-on and baker of the wonderful chocolate and victoria sponge cakes), Christina Demetriou (Reading CC - and finish timekeeper stalwart), Elsa Leuty (Finish Timekeeper assistant and Number Yeller), Ian Greenstreet (Start timekeeper), Winnie Mercer (Finish timekeeper assistant and Chief Getting Riders Into Orderer), Graham Stent and Lisa Boorman (Chief Roundabout Signallers). Thanks to Glen Knight for being Event Organiser Person and to Rachael Elliott who baked lots and lots of cakes. Our thanks once again to Hungerford Cricket Club for being so generous and flexible in allowing us to use their facilities.

Results are here https://t.co/ZF7iCggzKm?amp=1