"Nothing short of a Breakthrough" was how coach, Alan Mcrae described Will
Stephensons (Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood) performance in the Junior Tour of Wales. Stephenson backed up a fantastic 2nd place on Stage 4 with a super strong ride to take 9th place on Stage 5. This final stage included the tough climb of the Tumble Mountain in the Brecon Beacons. Sixteen year old Stephenson claimed 7th place on the overall general classification, Will also finished 6th in the points and 5th in the King of the Mountains.
The Tour of Wales is the toughest junior race on the domestic calender, a short hilly time trial, followed by "lumpy" 72km road stage make up day 1. Stages 3 & 4 on day 2 however are very different, a short 30km circuit race followed by fast, flat, course, including some dual carriageway. The final stage is one for the climbers, 95km of tough terrain in the National Park, sees the gaps open in the GC. Stephenson "won" the opening prologue time trial, a problem with the timing however, led to all the riders being awarded the same time, effectively neutralising the stage. Mcrae went on to say "This result establishes Will as one of the countrys top ten Junior road riders and comes after some solid performances at the Junior Track Championships. 10th in the scratch race,13th in the individual pursuit & 17th in the points race "I think a short rest is deserved"
Speaking to "E D" Will said; "I felt much better on the hills than I thought. As I was only given a place in the race the week before I had done less preparation than planned, concentrating on the track nationals instead. I am really looking forward to doing the national series events next year, especially the ones with hills in! I also managed to gain my 1st cat license during the tour so I can enter national B events next year which I am looking forward to. For the rest of this season, I have the GHS 10. I was also going to do the Downton 2 day and try and improve on my 3rd place last year. Then maybe a few hill climbs and a winter of long training rides ready to start next season with a few time trials and then moving on to road races in April."
Rupert Burbidge (Redhill CC) broke the course record on the Bakers Arms- Holes Bay circuit to win Bank Holiday Mondays 15 mile TT.
Clocking 31.10 Burbidge beat local pair Gary Dighton & Terry Icke (Poole Wheelers) Julia Shaw warmed up for this weekends British Time Trial Championships with a 32.59 for 7th place
Bournemouth BMX Club hosted round 10 of the South Summer Series at their Iford Track.
The Bournemouth club also celebrated its 30th year, Chairman, Geoff Routledge was presented with an award to mark his involvement with the club over those 30 years.
RESULTS OF R.U.K. 2-UP TIME TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP
2011
1st JAMES GILFILLAN TEAM FEAT
BRYCE DYER V.C.St. RAPHAEL 28.43
2nd OLLI HITCHINGS SOTONIA C.C.
EVAN JARDINE-SKINNER SOTONIA C.C.29.09
3rd GARY ALLAN G.A.CYCLES
SIMON BARNES G.A.CYCLES 29.45
4th GLENN LONGLAND ANTELOPE RACING TEAM
TREVOR HORTON WARRINGTON R.C.30.22
5th OLLI EMMANs ANTELOPE RACING TEAM
STEVE WOOD ANTELOPE RACING TEAM 30.32
6th RICHARD BLAKEG.A.CYCLES
MATT PARTON ANTELOPE RACING TEAM 31.36
7tH STUART GRACE G.A.CYCLES
NICK WILLIAMS NEW FOREST C.C.32.49
8th JON DUDLEY SOTONIA C.C.
COLIN YEATES SOTONIA C.C.C 33.39
9th JO HAYLES SOUTHAMPTON R.C.
IAN WOODHOUSE SOUTHAMPTON R.C.C 34.07
10th JAMES CHANT GILLINGHAM & DISTRICT
JOHN PHILLIPS GILLINGHAM & DISTRICT 36.45
11th BARRINGTON DAY FAREHAM WHEELERS
PHILLIP MORRIS FAREHAM WHEELERS 50.04
DNF BOB OLIVER FAREHAM WHEELERS
DNF PETER KNIPE FAREHAM WHEELERS PUNCTURE
French Letter (PT2)
A note to let you know I am still pottering around in Jubilee strip, and Prendas hat.
Last Monday (22nd August) I rode in the World Masters road race championship, under UCI rules; over 80s group at St. Johaan in Austria. It had 37 entrants 27 starters, 40km, with a 2.25 km 5% gradient after three km, and a 350m climb 10% gradient at 15 km. And another easier climb at 20km.
There were nine of us after the first climb, ten after the second, and twelve after the third. There was some demon descending for that.
Whilst I felt strong over the final half and placed myself correctly for the sprint, I finished seventh from a bunch of twelve; which was disappointing.
I did not take the 20 km time trial World championship seriously on Wednesday 24th, as I thought there was no class for me and did not put on tri-bars. When I signed on there was a separate race for my age group, and I finished fourth by 18s, and 47s behind the second man.
No doubt with tri-bars and funny hat I could have been third, and challenged the second rider.
Next year I will be 82 and I think I have another season of kermesse racing in my legs, and after that it will be time trials and/or sportives.
Best wishes,
Trevor Fenwick
