Lloyd Chapman scored his second pair of back-to-back time trial victories this spring when he took the Plomesgate CC 10 at Sudbourne and followed it up with winning the Chelmer CC Hardriders at Finchingfield next morning.
The Martlesham roadman, who has his eyes on the Rutland-Melton Cicle (sic) Classic international road race at the end of April, covered the Sudbourne-Tunstall-Rendlesham course in 20:40.
After chatting to fellow competitors Chapman set out for a further two hours training. Second place went to local Junior Lyster Romero (22:33).
The race was held in brilliant sunshine but a brisk wind – from the side over much of the course – which meant it was not a fast day and Chapman was 27 seconds outside his own course record.
Mark Richards (22:34) was third and led the winning VC Baracchi team, backed by Liam Gentry (23:19) and Nick Esser (24:03).
The crosswind was enough for fourth-placed Stuart Fairweather (22:39) to come partly off the tribars for the final mile after the course leaves Rendlesham Forest.
Chris Tye (23:23) was fastest from the promoting club, Plomesgate CC, while there was a three way tie on 23:38 for three riders: James Rush and John Bradbury (CC Sudbury) and Trevor Back of Colchester club VC Revolution.
Next came top Wolsey RC man Steve Cave (23:39) eight seconds up on Phillip Barnes riding for Hadleigh shop TPH.
Only at 17th equal did the names of the big Gipping Valley clubs appear Andy Kennedy (Ipswich BC) and Adrian Pettitt (Stowmarket & Dist), both 24:06.
Peter Kerry (24:17) was fastest from Ipswich Velo, Verity Smith was top lady on 24:57 while Charlie Knowler put West Suffolk Wheelers’ name in the prize list – best youth with 33:04 and James Potter (Manningtree Whs) took the Novice prize with 25:38.
Altogether a remarkable parade of East Suffolk clubs.
One rider was unfortunately caught by the new rule requiring competitors to sign OUT after the race and had to be excluded.
Next morning Lloyd Chapman won the Chelmer Hardriders in 49:37, with Ollie Jones of newly launched Team On-Form third in 51:15.
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