New Forest 32! Win for Whitewick!

Despite being over 90 seconds slower than his winning course record ride last year, Stephen Whitewick (Contre la Montre) was still too fast for the opposition in the New Forest CC 32. Whitewick clocked 1.12.46 for a 1m 7sec advantage over Gary Dighton (Poole Wh). He was happy but admitted “It’s not quite there?” Dighton is improving week by week and was pleased to get “this close to Steve”

Steve Walking (VC ST Raphael), a former winner of the event was a further 41 secs back in third.

A slight easterly breeze called for some concentration on the trip out but there were few complaints in the warm sunshine. Paul Matthews (Contre la Montre) pulled his front wheel out on the start line, with the blessing of the timekeeper Matthews changed his wheel and went on to finish 5th. Lesley-Anne Walking took the ladies award with 1.27.49, after favourite Julia Shaw failed to start. Back in the day “The Circuit of the New Forest “used to be a 64 mile test but the demand for distance is no longer there. The shorter version heads east through the Hampshire sailing town of Lymington and on over the exposed Beaulieu heath, past the famous motor museum. From there the rolling forest road heads to Lyndhurst then down the A35 before turning left and the run back to the start/finish at New Milton. Talk at the HQ was of going to the caff then down to the beach. One middlemarker was overheard saying “On days like these it’s just great to be out on the bike”

PROVISIONAL RESULT
1, S WHITEWICK (Contre la Montre) 1.12.42
2, G DIGHTON (Poole Wh) 1.13.49
3, S WALKING (VC ST Raphael/Waites Contracts) 1.14.30

4, A RIVETT (VC ST Raphael/Waites Contracts) 1.16.39

5, P MATTHEWS (Contre la Montre) 1.16.45

6, A BRYSON (Contre la Montre) 1.16.50

7, P YOUNGHUSBAND (Team Tri UK Gatorade) 1.17.01

8, T ICKE (Poole Wh) 1.17.09

9, P JONES (Poole Wh) 1.18.15

10, J HEFFERNAN (NFCC) 1.18.58

11, G LOCK (NFCC) 1.19.17
12, G ALLAN (G A CYCLES) 1.19.22
13, W STEPHENSON (PRIMERA/SPECIALIZED) 1.19.24
14, P DUNN (CC WEYMOUTH) 1.19.31
15, R CLARIDGE ( G A CYCLES) 1.19.34
16, M BEALE (VCSTR) 1.21.03
17, S BARNES (G A CYCLES) 1.21.16
18, S WOOD (ANTELOPE RT) 1.21.55
19, J BROMYARD (RN&RM CRC) 1.23.31
20, S PECKHAM (NFCC) 1.23.44
21, C ROWE (BJW) 1.23.48
22, K RIDGE (BJW) 1.27.00
23, LESLEY-ANN WALKING (VCSTR) 1.27.49
24, C HUGHES (NFCC) 1.28.20
25, T BELBIN (POOLE WH) 1.28.31
26, A MILLER (CAESAREAN CC) 1.29.50
27, D DOWDEN (CHARLOTTEVILLE CC ) 1.29.57
28, W SIMMONS (BJW) 1.31.23
29, R BRINSDON (NFCC) 1.32.11
30, S CRAIG-MCFEELY (AC3RG) 1.37.23
31, B JOLLIFFE (NFCC) 1.46.55
32, E TOAL (BJW) 1.51.06

Local Cycling News

New Forest CCs promising junior, Hugo Walters continues to impress. Riding in the latest round of the Calshot winter track league, Walters won the U16 scratch race and is another local worth watching. Walters has spent the summer road racing and riding time trials and aged 15 is an exciting prospect. The New Forest youngster received a special award at the recent prize presentation as club junior champion.

Also at Calshot, Harrison Fielding (Poole Wheelers) won the U16 1km TT and the point’s race. Another talented 15 year old, Fielding recently spent time at the Newport Velodrome in Wales, at the invitation of British Cycling. Racing continues at the Calshot track every Sunday till February, with a two week Christmas break.

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers winter reliability trial series is proving a real success story. The series has been going for over 30 years and the numbers of riders is on the increase. One hundred & twenty nine cyclists set out on the latest trial, the 100km event. Run mostly on small country lanes, the courses prove a real test of fitness and navigation skills. The next ride in the series will be the 75 mile event on the 15th January, widely regarded as the toughest of the 4 trial series.

Poole Wheelers will host round 9 of the Wessex Cyclo-Cross League on Sunday December 18th. The 4km course on the Sika trail in Wareham forest has a bit of everything. Organiser, Dave Wade says “It’s a great course, it will be challenging but also great fun” There will be a shortened version for U12s and youth riders. All riders will be eligible for the top prize; A one night’s stay for two at the 5 star Kemps Country House Hotel. All proceeds will go to the Rob Jefferies young riders fund. Popular local cyclist, Jefferies was tragically killed earlier this year whilst out training.

News from British Cycling Website
South Region British Cycling has drawn up a list of events that will be used for selecting riders for the 2012 School Games and Inter Region Championships.

The Inter Regional Road Race Championships are part of the 2012 School Games which will take place over the 6 to 9 May in London. They will consist of two days of road events, which including sprints, distance events and Team Time Trials. The third day’s events will include track racing, although not part of the championship, on the London Olympic Velodrome.

The Inter Regional MTB – has a provisional date of 31 August to 2 September. Details to follow as soon as they are available.
The Inter Region Track will take place in Newport between 14 and 16 September 2012, with individual and team events.

2012 School Games (Road) & Inter Region MTB & Track 2012 South Region British Cycling Selection Events
Road
Sat 25 February - Ludgershall Winter Series, Ludgershall
Sun 11 March - Omega Portsmouth Circuits, Portsmouth
Sun 18 March - Omega Thruxton Circuits, Thruxton

For the Road Team we will be looking are looking for 4 boys and 4 girls who also have experience of indoor track racing

Track
Sat 7 April - Portsmouth Easter Open Meet, Portsmouth

Southern Omnium Rounds
Sat 12 May - Welwyn Wheelers Youth Omnium, Welwyn
Sat 19 May - Poole Wheelers Youth Omnium, Bournemouth
Sun 10 June - Susies Youth Track Meeting, Portsmouth
Sat 16 June - Preston Park Youth Omnium, Brighton
Sat 17 June - VC Londres Youth Omnium, Herne Hill
MTB
TBC
Teams to consist of riders born between 1996 and 1999
MTB - Four Boys/Four Girls - tbc
Road - Four Boys/Four Girls - London
Track - Four Boys / Four Girls - Newport
With each event having a one girl and boy named as a reserve.
Selections of riders will be made based on the following criteria that shall constitute the ‘performance' for the purpose of selection:
•Attacking riding - ability to make repeated efforts
•Bike handling ability - cornering skills etc
•Finish position
•Tactical awareness
The selectors will consider performances in each individual event in it's own right, taking into account the above key selection points, and the need to create a balanced team to contest all the events. An accumulative or average scoring / points system from all events shall NOT be used for selection. Youths riding events using dispensations will also have the results of those events considered.
Please be aware that a financial contribution from those selected will be required.
Riders wishing their results to be considered should contact Mrs Susan W Knight - email treasurer.bcsouth@googlemail.com

Pedalon.co.uk Southern XC Series 2012 DATES
18/03/12-CHECKENDON
15/04/12-PIPPINGFORD
13/05/12-WASING (INC SOUTHERN CHAMPS)
03/06/12-CROW HILL (Bank Holiday wkend)
01/07/12-PERHAM DOWN (SERIES FINAL)
Full Details www.southernxc.net

Something Different?
Wimborne Orienteers invite you to the Dorset Schools League and Informal Limited Colour Coded in Hurn Forest on Saturday 10th December, incorporating a Night Event and MTBO Event.

Location: Hurn Forest. Access at Grid Ref: SU105024 from Boundary Road. Follow signs off A31 Ringwood to Ferndown Road.
Parking: On forest Tracks.
Map: 1:10000 revised 2008, updated 2010. Printed on waterproof material. Flat forested heath land with numerous paths and tracks.

Facilities: Toilets; Dogs allowed under control.

Courses: MTBO: Long XC 10km & Short XC 5 km.
Informal: White, Yellow, Orange, Light Green and Green.
Night O: 1 Hour Score.
Timing: MTBO: Registration from 9.30am. Starts from 10am until 11.15am. Courses close at 12.30pm.
Informal: Registration from 12am. Starts from 12.30pm until 2.30pm. Courses close at 4pm.
Night O: Registration from 4.30pm. Starts from 5pm until 6pm. Courses close at 7pm.
Foot O cost: £8 Senior (£2 discount for BOF members), £2.50 Juniors.
SI Hire- £1 for Adults, Free for Juniors.

MTBO costs: If you wish to compete please pre register as an Associate member of BMBO (British Mountain Bike Orienteering) on their website www.bmbo.org.uk. It is simple and free and you will get a number which if you quote at registration, the entry fee will be £6 but without a number it will be £7 (Juniors will be £3 without a number) Membership last for a year.
Discounts: £15 Seniors if doing all three events.

MTBO safety: All competitors must wear a helmet. Map and SI card will be provided.
Planner: To be confirmed
Organiser: Noel Smith (WIM) Tel: 01202 821053
Controller: To be confirmed
COMPETITORS TAKE PART IN THESE EVENTS AT THEIR OWN RISK AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY.

Weekly News Round up 01/04/2011

• Bournemouth based, Bryce Dyer (VC ST Raphael) picked up his second win of the season after a busy weekend of racing. First up for Dyer was the Sotonia 10 mile time trial in the New Forest, the Bournemouth University lecturer recorded a time of 22.29 to finish in 5th place behind winner Harry Bulstrode (Southampton RC). Fast improving Nick Spencer (BJW) just got inside the top ten in 23.13. Dyer then moved onto Swindon for the Corinium CC 2 day race and despite his efforts in the Sotonia event he placed third in the opening 2.4km prologue time trial. A 30 mile circuit race followed, Dyer avoided the crashes to finish safely in the bunch to leave himself 3rd on GC after day 1. Dyer teamed up with Neil Rutter (Swindon RC) for the third stage, a Two up 10 mile time trial. The pair rode strongly to win the stage by 24 secs, with a time of 23.10 and Dyer took the overall by 6 seconds.
• Gary Dighton (Poole Wheelers) took the honors in his own clubs Circuit of Poole Harbour race. The former Olympic Games rider got the better of Paul Jones (BJW) on the testing course,the Poole man finished behind Jones a week earlier in the BJW 42KM, Dighton’s time of 1.05 08 was 33 seconds quicker than Jones, the pair were well clear of Steve Birtwhistle (PW) in third. All three are in action this weekend in the East Dorset 24 on the Badbury Rings course. Adam Topham (High Wycombe cc) will start as favorite and will hope to avoid the punctures that have given him two DNFs already this year.
• Mountain Bikers, Mark Chadbourne and Roland Tilley (Ridebike.co.uk) were both in action at Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire. The opening round of the British cross country series saw the two Poole based riders struggling for form with Chadbourne salvaging 6th place and Tilley finishing in an uncustomary 16th position.
• Cambridge University student Dan Ahearn from Brockenhurst won the New Forest cc 16 mile time trial on the Beaulieu course. A clear winner the previous week, Ahearn did not have so easy this time, his time of 39.14 was only 38 secs up on the promoting clubs Colin Humm in 2nd place with Tony Green (GA Cycles) in 3rd with 40.19. Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist Julia Shaw (drag2zero) finished in 4th with 40.20.

Experienced roadman/sprinter, Steve Moss (Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood) grabbed second place in the 3rd cat race at Thruxton Motor Racing circuit, Moss's young teammate, Will Stephenson salvaged 11th in the sprint with old campaigner, Pete Wilson in the bunch. Other locals in action included, Richard Horton (Bournemouth Jubilee Wh)in the E12s, Steve Crutcher (Off Camber) and Poole Wheelers, Gordon Skillen and Jordan Wade in the 3s. Richard Stephenson came 12th in the 4th cats event.

article for British Cycling website


I caught up with Garmin-Cervelo Professional Daniel Lloyd just back from a ten day training camp in Spain. With the new season just around the corner he was putting the finishing touches to his winter preparation. A 5 Hour ride on Sunday was followed by 2 hours easy on Monday; it felt hard enough to me but in his new team kit and riding smoothly, it was obvious Lloyd was in good shape. As we rode through the New Forest on a dull January day, Dan reflected back on last season. A year that saw him ride the Giro d’Italia for the second time and the Tour de France. “I loved riding the Grand Tours and in particular the Tour de France, however I had done so much racing by July last year that I don’t think I was in top form. Other guys were saying they thought the Giro had blunted their form for the Tour but none of them had ridden the Dauphine in-between like I had” I felt good at Dwars Door Vlaanderen in the spring and rode away from some big names” but I never felt I had the legs of 2009. Lloyd is perhaps being hard on himself; he crashed heavily on stage two of the Tour de France as a host of riders came down on a descent made slippery with oil from a motorcycle outrider who had also crashed. “I left quite a lot of skin on the road and was hampered with a groin strain for the first ten days.”
Looking forward to the coming season, Daniel talks passionately of the Belgium Classics, particularly the Tour of Flanders, you get the impression he loves this race. Success would mean “Still being up there to help the team leaders after 220kms, over the Muur and the Bosberg”. He knows it will not be easy “With the Talent we have in the team competition for places is going to be tough, with Thor (Hushovd) in the rainbow jersey it will be a privilege to be on the start line” I am targeting good form for Paris-Nice, where we will have both GC riders and sprinters.” His early season programme will also include Le Tour Mediterraneen, Tour du Haut Var and Kuurne, Brussels, Kuurne. “After that, it will just depend how my form is” Ahead of that is another training camp Girona, Spain.

This season however, the Grand Tours may not feature for Lloyd, with his wife Lorraine expecting their second child in May his thoughts may be elsewhere come the Giro. “The team time trial at the tour is a real target for us and its not really my strength, I wouldn’t want to be the weak link” What about the Vuelta a Espana? “Yes possibly, and the worlds” The Olympics? “Of course, it is a huge goal to represent GB in London for the race but there are so many good Pros from Britain now that I will have to do something really special to earn my place”

I ask him what he thinks his strengths and weaknesses are. The reply is uncomfortably honest “Nothing and Nothing, I’m not really, really good at anything and I am not really, really bad at anything, its probably why it took me a while to land a contract with a top flight team but it is also the reason that they find me valuable now that I’m here ”

I find myself adding some answers of my own, determined, focused, hard working, professional, team player they read like strengths to me. Sporting graveyards are littered with talent that lacked application. His honest, relaxed, laid back manner and willingness to “do the sponsorship stuff” must be a joy to his Directeur Sportif

The 2011 season will be his 8th year as a Pro and his 10th as a full time bike rider since racing in France in 2001 as a twenty year old. In a career that has taken him around the world, Lloyd hopes to continue in the Pro Peloton for another “8 or 9 years” and “with not too many hard miles in his legs” believes he can, and why not? he clearly loves his job.


Those of us of a certain age might well look at the former part-time window cleaner and think “I could have done that” the reality is certainly somewhat different, the message for aspiring younger riders however is patently clear, Don’t dream the dream, Chase the dream! Live the dream!