CYCLING — Inverclyde Velo Riders Compete At Open EventsINVERCLYDE Velo riders have been active in several local open CTT (Cycling Time Trials) events.
Matt Hennon, George McCarter and Paul Symington competed in the second of this year’s 25-mile time trials on the popular West Ferry course. It was organised by Glasgow Green Cycling Club. Conditions for the 110 riders were decent enough; dry and warm with only a headwind on the outward leg that seemed to strengthen as the race went on.
Matt was the highest-placed Velo rider crossing the line in 15th place with a time of 56:15, followed by Paul in 19th place, setting a personal best with 56:40 and George in 46th place with 1:00:19.
The next open event was the 10-mile time trial at Eglinton Park, just outside Irvine. It was run by the GTR Return to Life racing team. Flying the club colours were Inverclyde Velo’s Matt Hennon, George McCarter, Paul Symington and Patricia Baird. Conditions for the 110 riders were grim — torrential rain with a headwind waiting for the riders on the return leg. Twenty-four of those who had entered couldn’t face the wet conditions and decided not to take part although the race went ahead regardless.
Matt, above, was the highest place Velo rider securing 10th place within a quality field with an excellent time of 21:21, a personal best on this course and his fastest time set in a Scottish time-trial. Paul crossed the line in 33rd place with a time of 22:44, followed by George in 57th place with 24:08.
There was a top result for Patrica, pictured, who crossed the line in 24:27, winning fastest lady of the race. Patricia has been training steadily throughout the season since qualifying for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships which takes place in Varese, Italy later this month. She will be competing in both the Chrono (Time Trial) and Gran Fondo (Road Race)for Team GB. These testing age group events attract riders from all over the world and the popular Gran Fondo involves 1,450 metres of scenic alpine climbing on the 105km course that Patricia’s age group will tackle.
The next open event the club will be competing in is the Dooleys 10-mile time-trial held on the West Ferry course on the 26 August. This race will also determine the Inverclyde Velo 10-mile TT champ of 2018.
Meanwhile eight riders took part in the seventh Alex Hunter Summer time trial league event. Only one personal best was set on the night, by youngster Tommy Cardiff chipping another 12 seconds off his previous best time on his road bike. Victory was taken once again by Paul Symington who crossed the line with another excellent time of 29:46.
Results
1 Paul Symington 29:46
2 Kevan McCartney 30:33
3 George McCarter 31:05
4 Tam May 32:00
5 Derek Robinson 32:32
6 Robert McCready 32:59 Road Bike
7 Mark Smith 33:14 Road bike
8 Tommy Cardiff 34:46 PB Road bike
New riders are welcome to go along and race the clock. The club meet every Tuesday on Cloch Road just after McInroy’s Point and every Thursday along at the Gantock flats for the APR (Australian Pursuit Race). Both events start at 7pm. Anyone using Strava can check out the route using the Cloch Time Trial segment.
There are also group rides on Wednesday evenings, meeting at the Co-op on Eldon Street, Greenock at 7.45pm, Saturday mornings at 7:55 and Sunday mornings at 9am at Hunter Place, Greenock. The routes are usually posted on the club website forum under “training rides”. Anyone interested in joining Inverclyde Velo can contact the club via its website www.inverclydevelo.co.uk.
