Mark Arnold led a trio of Suffolk riders at the top of the Great Yarmouth CC 25 miler on the Somerleyton circuit, writes Fergus Muir.

East Anglian Daily Times: The fastest all-ladies pair at Great Yarmouth 25 - Jess Atkinson and Carrie Bedingfield (Cambridge University CC). Picture: DOMINIC AUSTRINThe fastest all-ladies pair at Great Yarmouth 25 - Jess Atkinson and Carrie Bedingfield (Cambridge University CC). Picture: DOMINIC AUSTRIN (Image: Archant)

Arnold, from Red Lodge, is now racing for the Veteran’s Time Trial Association East Anglia Group, for whom he notably organised events even before he was old enough to be a full member.

His time of 57:41 was well off his best for the course, but the morning was too cold to be fast, with some early starters wrapped up as for an early season “Hilly”.

John Bradbury of CC Sudbury was second in 59:02 ahead of Lee Garrod (Sole Bay Sport, 59:47) and Tony Heather (Team Skipper, 59:57).

In the accompanying event for pairs of riders Mark Richards and Harley Matthews (DAP CC) smashed the course record with 52:59. Both live nearby and know these pine-shaded Lothingland roads and, most importantly, the tight corners of the course.

Fastest ladies pair were Jess Atkinson and Carrie Bedingfield (Cambridge University CC, 1:02:45) while top solo lady was Denise Hurren (Sole Bay, 1:03:57). Best from the promoting club was Jonny Hawes (1:01:57).

- Len Finch who died in an accident last week had, together with Harold Raymond, founded the CC Sudbury in 1979. He was the club’s first treasurer and later led from the front as club chairman.

East Anglian Daily Times: Len Finch, founder and honorary life member of CC Sudbury, who died last week. Picture: FERGUS MUIRLen Finch, founder and honorary life member of CC Sudbury, who died last week. Picture: FERGUS MUIR (Image: Archant)

At the age of 86 he was still racing in short-distance time trials, using up-to-date equipment and scrutinising the veteran’s age standard results with intense interest.

He had started in Walthamstow in cycle speedway, had a period racing on the Continent and is thought to have raced continuously ever since.

He had been inspirational to younger members of the club, many themselves now veterans and could be counted upon to organise photos of his fellow super-vets, or take pictures himself and Annual Veteran’s TTA lunches.

- There were fast times in the Eastern Counties CA 10 mile Championship at Six Mile Bottom where Neil Lauder (PMR) was the winner in 18:33, just ten seconds faster than Newmarket rider Jason Bouttell.

Notable local rider’s times included 19:28 from David Harding, 19:46 from brother Peter and 21:27 from Lauren Kirchel – these three all from the Chelmer CC. CC Sudbury’s Leon West returned in 19:50 while the tandem event was won by Glenn Taylor and Neil Dowie in 19:07.

- Though the skies were gloriously clear, it was chilly for the CC Breckland evening 10 on the Attleborough-Snetterton and back course.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mark Richards from Lowestoft had three fast rides last week. Picture: FERGIS MUIRMark Richards from Lowestoft had three fast rides last week. Picture: FERGIS MUIR (Image: Archant)

A north wind meant the longer return leg was the headwind one and although the road surface has recently been much improved the complicated sequence of roundabouts at the turn do not make for speed. Nevertheless Matthew Senter (VeloVelocity) won in 19:52 ahead of Harley Matthews (20:15) and Mark Richards (20:32), while Becky Murley (Wisbech Whs) was first lady in 23:00.

Chris Nudds (CC Breckland) returned to the top of the age-related result, his 23:44 beating the standard for his 69 years by 6:08. Towards the opposite end of the vets age range, there was a good ride of 21:43 from 42 year-old West Suffolk Wheeler Richard Carrington.

- At round three of the Lotus Series Thomas Heal (Strada) and Mark Richards, opened a six second gap on the Senior Men’s bunch while the sprint for third was won by Josh Andrews (DAP CC).

Seb Herrod (Strada) returned to the scene of his CC London Road Race win – the Wendens Ambo circuit near Saffron Walden. This time it was the London Phoenix CC road race and Herrod took second place behind winner Steven Griffiths in a big bunch sprint.

- Next Tuesday sees the first of the Maglia Rosso summer evening cyclo-cross events at their course at Hawstead, near Bury St Edmunds.

The Adult Mens race is full, but plenty of spaces in the U12/10s, U16/14s and Womens races. Enter on BC website, or on the night, but best to book an entry to make sure - 01284 386884.

East Anglian Daily Times: Richard Carrington (West Suffolk Whs) sets out on his ride at the CC Breckland evening 10. Picture: FERGUS MUIRRichard Carrington (West Suffolk Whs) sets out on his ride at the CC Breckland evening 10. Picture: FERGUS MUIR (Image: Archant)

RESULTS – Great Yarmouth CC 25s, Somerleyton

MEN: 1 Mark Arnold (VTTA East Anglia) 57:41, 2 John Bradbury (CC Sudbury) 59:02, 3 Lee Garrod (Sole Bay Sport) 59:47, 4 Tony Heather (Team Skipper) 59:57, 5= Louis Julian (DAP CC) & Geoff Frost (VeloVelocity)1:00:44, 7 Jordan Black (Newmarket C&TC), 8 Jim Hardwicke (Plomesgate CC) 1:01:33, 9 Jonny Hawes (Great Yarmouth CC) 1:01:57, 10 Julian Claxton (Great Yarmouth CC) 1:02:25.

WOMEN: 1 Denise Hurren (Sole Bay Sport) 1:03:57, 2 Sue Triplow (Essex Roads) 1:05:29, 3 Larissa Smith (Godric CC)1:16:40,4 Stephanie Hoyle Godric CC) 1:17:59.

TWO-UPS: 1 Mark Richards/Harley Matthews (DAP CC) 52:59, 2 Oliver Cozens/Richard Postance (Norwich ABC) 57:57, 3 Paul Hayward/PaulWright (VC Baracchi) 1:00:47 4 Jess Atkinson/Carrie Bedingfield (Cambridge University CC, fastest women) 1:02:45.

CC Breckland Longmarkers 10, Attleborough: 1 M Senter (VeloVelocity) 19:52, 2 H Matthews (DAP CC) 20:15, 3 M Richards (DAP CC) 20:32. Women: 1 R Murley (Wisbech Whs) 23:00, 2 J Smart (VC Norwich) 24:26. Vets on Age Std: 1 C Nudds (CC Breckland) +6:08, 2 S Neil +5:55, 3 G Reynolds +5:32.