Lloyd Chapman lost the Stowmarket and District 10 by just one second – beaten by one of the riders he coaches, Stuart Fairweather, writes Fergus Muir.
“No one likes losing but I can’t help it that I’ve made him into a gigawatt machine” said the Martlesham former pro on his Facebook page afterwards.
It was a very windy morning on the Wickham Market-based course with a tough head/crosswind on the outward leg and Fairweather (VeloVelocity) finished in 20:38. This was well short of the record 19:22 done on the course in 2016 ....by Lloyd Chapman.
Third place on Saturday went to Chapman’s Plomesgate CC clubmate Matt O’Brien in 20:52.
Notwithstanding the tough conditions local rider Rebecca Johnson smashed the women’s course record – setting new figures of 22:26. Previous holder Denise Hurren (Sole Bay Sport, 23:41) actually improved slightly – but early starter Johnson had already moved the goalposts.
The result board featured a spread of local clubs with Nicola Powell (26:14) fastest lady from the promoting Stowmarket & District CC and Amanda Mallett (28:08) best from the Plomesgate CC.
Velo Schils’ fastest finisher was Simon Daw (21:54), top Orwell Velo man Chris Crabtree (22:17) and fastest man from the Stowmarket Adrian Pettitt (22:23).
Fastest from the Ipswich Velo was Peter Kerry (22:24), from Ipswich Bicycle Club Matthew Peck (22:37) and from Sole Bay Sport, Lee Garrod (22:41).
West Suffolk Wheelers’ top man was Adrian Rudd (22:48). James Rush (23:14) was best from CC Sudbury, Peter Hurry (23:30) fastest from the Wolsey RC and Steve Little (24:53) from VC Revolution.
Evening road racing interest moved to RAF Honington where the local club Videre Race Team organised the first of five criteriums on Honington aerodrome on 24th July.
Pedal Power Ipswich rider Gabriel Fowden won the senior men’s race from break companions Gary Freeman (Fast Test) and Mark Richards (DAP CC). These three finished 22 seconds ahead of Andrew Sheret (OBV) winner of the bunch sprint for fourth spot.
Clover Murray returned from a stint of racing in the north to win the women’s race from Cindy Berry (Pedal Power Ipswich) and Sophie Holmes (Velo Schils)
RAF CA man Andy Gray took the third and fourth cats, seven seconds clear of a charging bunch headed by Bradley Nelson of the Bloodwise team.
East Anglian veteran time trialists (that is competitors aged 40 plus) and new promoters Hub Velo were unlucky with the crosswind and intermittently wet weather for their “25” at Newmarket. Just half the riders entered elected to start.
However there were age group wins for local men Andy Proffitt, fastest among the 45-49s with 49:35 and Peter Horsnell best aged 80 plus with 1:16:16.
Training for cyclo-cross was spiced up by another evening of racing in the grounds of the Maglia Rosso cafe/bikeshop at Hawstead.
Under 12 winners were William Gilbank and Mia Rutterford; Under 16s Harley Gregory and Martha Lebentz while top seniors were Kieran Jarvis and Becky Ridge.
The next racing there is on Tuesday August 21st, but there are training sessions each Tuesday at 6.30pm.
Looking at the overall standings in the Eastern Road Race League, the DAP CC is currently well clear in the club rankings with 226 points, compared to nearest challengers Strada Sport who have 173.
Third team is the Writtle College’s Team OnForm on 149. In the individual standings Jim Bradbury of Cambridge CC (233) leads.
Top riders coming to Norfolk for this Sunday’s CC Breckland 12 Hour include Andy Wilkinson, looking to improve his 2012 national record set on these roads and Charles Mitchell, winner of the recent EDCA 100 in 3:26, but a novice at 12 Hours, as is Wisbech Wheeler Becky Murley.
Dressed in commuter clothes, as are all competitors, Norfolk born Emma Pooley won the Women’s World Championship for riders of folding Brompton cycles in London on Sunday.
Cycling speed apart, few could match Pooley’s outfit, adapted from London 2012 team uniform.
RESULT: STOWMARKET & DISTRICT 10, Wickham Market
Men: 1 Stuart Fairweather (VeloVelocity 20:38), 2 Lloyd Chapman (Plomesgate CC) 20:39, 3 Matt O’Brien (Plomesgate CC) 20:52, 4 Simon Hance (Ipswich BC) 21:12, 5 Simon Daw (Velo Schils) 21:54, 6 Andrew Leggett (VeloVelocity) 22:03, 7 Chris Crabtree (Orwell Velo) 22:17, 8 Adrian Pettitt (Stowmarket & District) 22:23, 9 Peter Kerry (Ipswich Velo) 22:24. Women 1 (& 10th overall) Rebecca Johnson (Fusion RT) 22:26, 2 Denise Hurren (Sole Bay Sport) 23:41, 3 Nicola Powell (Stowmarket & District) 26:14, 4 Emma Taylor (Stowmarket & District) 2744, 5 Amanda Mallett (Plomesgate CC) 28:08.
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