Cycling report by Simon Foster - Andover Wheelers
Jake Prior has taken the Andover Wheelers 30mile Time Trial championship in a new record time of 1.05.17s at an average speed of 27.586mph. Prior rode strongly from the start an gradually increased his advantage over his rivals to eventually finish with 3 minutes in hand from Roger Hartnell. Hartnell just missed his personal best by a few seconds but was pleased with his time of 1.08.22s (26.329mph) to show that his form is starting to return. Third place man was Lee Gardner who again was unlucky to suffer another bout of cramp losing approx two minutes as he has to get off his bike and stretch before going on to record an impressive 1.11.19s (25.240mph) in his debut at the distance. Other times; M Pattinson 1.13.07 (24.618mph), M Risdale 1.16.13 (23.617mph), N Adnitt 1.18.33 (22.915mph).
In the first of the races that count towards the Circuit Championship Neil Coleman took the honours on the Red Rice circuit. Coleman recorded 36.02s in a close battle over the two 8mile laps to beat Jake Prior with 36.37. Just behind the dynamic duo was Roger Hartnell in 38.09s. Phil Jacobs had a good ride in his first attempt at the course when posting 39.11 for fourth. Other times; M Pattinson 40.02s, L Gardner 40.12s, S Foster 43.33s, N Adnitt 44.06s, M Risdale 44.17s, P Welch 47.52, S Halligan 47.55s, Alison Hartnell 48.35s, M Reeder 49.04, K May 51.26s Jane Pattinson 52.01s.
In the first round of the annual inter club race with North Hampshire Road Club the Andover Wheelers take a 5.24 minute advantage into the return leg after beating the North Hants club on their home patch. With Andover filling 4 of the first five places things were looking good. The race was based over two laps of a ten mile loop. First on the night was Neil Coleman in 51.17s for the distance. He was backed up by Jake Prior in 52.00s for second place with Roger Hartnell taking 4th in 54.20s. Andover now take a healthy lead into the next leg to be based on their own circuit at Red Rice in a couple of weeks.
The following week saw the local club back on their 10mile course based at Thruxton. Fastest on the night was the tandem pairing of Simon Foster and Lee Gardner who showed they are closing in on the club record by removing 26 second from their personal best to record 20.29s for the 10miles. In the solo's Jake Prior was the quickest of the night followed by Neil Coleman when finishing with 20.42s to Colemans 21.09. Third place went again to Roger Hartnell who managed to get under the 22minute barrier for the first time since 1999 finishing in 21.56s. Frustrated man was Phil Jacobs who just missed the same barrier with 22.02s when recording a PB. Other times; J Martin 23.01s(PB), Nick Adnitt 24.39s(PB), Alison Hartnell 26.57s, M Reeder 28.24s, K May 29.02s Jane Pattinson 29.13s.