Mercia CC Lloyds Cycles Report 02/08/2018

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Mercia CC-Lloyds Cycles report 02.08.18

The Midlands Mtb Series Round 5 was held at High Bramley Wood, Eckington and Presented by Bolsover & District CC. Daniel Ward of Mercia CC-Lloyds Cycles, finished just out of the podium places in 4^th position in the Under 10 category which keeps him well in contention for a top three place in the series. The winner was George Cooper of Sherwood Pines Cycles Forme.

At the same event Christian Aucote finished in sixth place in the Expert mens category, Kieren Brown of 8point8 Group was the winner.

Mercia CC-Lloyds CC young riders were again in action at Mallory Park for round 12 of the Youth League. This week’s racing was a Scratch race. In the Under 10 category, Daniel Ward placed 2^nd closely following the winner George Cooper of Sherwood Pines Cycles Forme across the line. In Round 13 a change of order saw Rocco Schumacher Pro Vision Race Team take the win with Ward in 3^rd place and fellow Mercia rider Sam Parker in 4^th place. In the Under 14 age group Zak Machin finished in 9^th place in a tight race where the winner was Alex Galpin of Bourne Wheelers.

In a different type of event, and not one ideally suited to the recent very hot weather, Ian Hill returned to ride the National 24 Hour Time Trial Championship, after a gap of 20 years it was always going to be a tough event. Organised by Mersey Roads Club and taking in roads mainly in Cheshire and Shropshire there were 85 entries including Michael Broadwith who had broken the 840 miles Land’s End to John o’ Groats record just 5 weeks previous in a time of 43 hours and 25 minutes.

Last minute changes to the course meant that one of the flatter sections to Hodnet had to be missed causing repeated use of the more hilly road between Whitchurch and Shrewsbury and the lanes circuit south of Whitchurch.

With a start time of 1.24pm Hill rode steadily in the heat of the afternoon but he welcomed the cooler evening conditions. After a good ride in the night, and a rest stop, Hills bike developed bottom bracket problems in the early morning. Fortunately a Derby Mercury Road Club rider, who was on support duties, lent him his bike so that he was able to continue. After a few more times round the lanes circuit the riders were sent back to the 9 mile finish circuit near to Wrexham. Hill finished in a very creditable 42^nd place with a satisfactory 342.77 miles for a comeback ride part of which was on an unaccustomed bike and he is looking forward to returning again next year.

The winner was Andy Jackson of Aerocoach with a superlative 530.61 miles, second Nick Clarke of Lovelo Cinelli RT with 505.89 miles and third Michael Broadwith of Arctic Tacx RT with 496.8 miles who admitted that he had not had enough time to recover from the End to End ride. Crystal Spearman of NOPINZ was the winner in the ladies competition with a superb 445.8 miles and second was Christina Mackenzie of Stirling Bike Club with 431.64 miles.

The Mercia Club held a 10 mile Time Trial recently on the Anslow course Jason Seabridge of Mercia recorded the best time of 24:07. Other times were David Clarke of Interbike 25:31, Ben Startin 25:37, Rob Gower 25:46, C Blockley of Lutterworth 26:29, Keith Staley 26:35, Tony Marlow 28:56 & Mark Eccleston 30:15.

Mercia are using a second 10mile course this year on Thursday evenings at Doveridge. A good number of 20 riders competed in the first event which had the riders battling a very strong wind, Lee Aston recorded the fastest time of 22:43 he was closely followed by Jason Seabridge in 22:51. Other riders times were Haydon Smedley 23:15, Ben Buckley 23:54, Ben Startin 24:34, Hayley Kirk with an excellent time of 25:19, Phil Machin 25:21, Jeff Slinn 25:32, Chris Redding 25:32, Keith Staley 26:10, James Allen 27:05, Rob Mangham 29:24, Dave Baines 29:45, Tony Evans 29:58, Kieron Patterson 30:14, John Brewin 30:14, Lee Marlow 31:55, Adrian Waters 31:05, Graham Dingley 31:44 and Steve Ingram 32:54.