Cycling report by Simon Foster - Andover Wheelers
Andover Wheelers trio of Roger Hartnell, Jake Prior and Neil Coleman won the recent Poole Wheelers team time trial over a 26.2mile course around Upton near Poole. After a fast start from Lytchett Matravers there were 3 laps of the Upton by pass to cover. With a strong wind blowing from the west the leg from the Holes Bay turn provided a stiff resistance.
The trio were working well together sharing the pace-making duty's on the front. They gradually opened an advantage over the team from Antelope RT. By the time they reached the finish timekeeper they had opened up a lead of 1min to win in a time of 59.30min, with Antelope finishing with 1.00.30min.
In the supporting 2up event, Andover were represented by 2 teams, the pairing of Phil Jacobs and Tim Ponting, and Simon Foster and Lee Gardner. Tim was swapping his usual downhill mountain bike for his first attempt at a time trial. He rode strongly with Phil and they went on to record an excellent 1.04.26min. This was also Phil's first event over the distance.
The other pairing of Foster and Gardner (usually paired on a tandem) went well to record a time of 1.03.46 despite going wrong on a roundabout and having to circle it twice.
In the first of the local clubs evening events the course had to be revised due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak. With the proposed course based around Amport and Grately the club decided to use the A303 between Thruxton and 100acre for an 8.5mile event. Fastest on the night was Jake Prior with 19.23min. He was followed home by Roger Hartnell, 20.44min. Other times as follows:-William Sawyer 21.44, Dave Gumm (Salisbury RC) 22.35, Mick Risdale 23.03, Alison Hartnell 24.38, Ken May 24.46 and Martin Hudson 24.54.