A Few more Images from the Ringwood Triathlon

Ringwood Tri

Ringwood Triathlon 10/04/11

James Gilfillan (Team Feat) was a clear winner of the Ringwood Triathlon after stamping his authority on the race on the challenging cycle leg through the New Forest. Lee Harper (Oxford University Tri Club) led by 32 secs after the 600 metre swim at Ringwood Leisure centre, the fastest swim split on the day. However he was quickly overhauled by Gilfillan, who recorded 1.09.37 for the 28 mile circuit, the 4 minutes conceded by Harper would cost him the race. Will Newbury (Primera-TBC) also passed the university man after exiting the pool in 4th place but like everyone else, he was losing time to the flying Gilfillan.

Coming into T2, Gilfillan was able to take his time such was his lead and with the sun now high in the sky, he could afford to cruise on the run with 34.27.

Meanwhile the race was on behind Gilfillan as Harper stormed round the 6 mile run course, recording 32.47 and just catching Newbury at the end, who also ran strongly with 34.34.

Lizzy Hutson (off-Camber) was equally impressive in the ladies race winning in 2.11.28 from Mary Campbell (Chichester Westgate Tri) 2.15.10. A challenge may have come from Helen Dyke (Exeter Tr) who was running strongly but took a wrong turn on the run so had to settle for 3rd.

Race winner Gilfillan is racing in Mallorca next weekend but his main focus this season will be the Race across America.(RAAM). a 3000 mile jaunt from the California to the East Coast, James will be part of a four man relay team.

Race organiser, Michelle Noble should be congratulated for all the hard work in putting on this event. First ran in the early nineties, its a great early season test and the results triathlon team were rewarded with some lovely spring weather for what will hopefully become a regular fixture on the triathlon calender.

Weekly round-up

Will Stephenson


• Will Stephenson (Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood)got his first victory of the season, winning the 3 / 4 at the Mountbatten centre, Portsmouth, in the latest round of the Ray Martin 150 distance league. In a fast race Stephenson was attacking throughout but could make nothing stick. Will took his chance on the last lap, as the pace eased, he went for a long one and just held on to take the win. “It was a quick race and I was pleased to get the first win of my season, I didn’t think I could sprint. I am looking forward to some road races where the hilly courses should suit me better. It capped off a good 7 days for the Arrow youngster, after placing 2nd at Mountbatten the week before, he moved onto Hillingdon at the weekend and came 7th in a 75 strong 2/3/4 race. Stephenson will be riding the Bristol 2 day junior stage race this weekend, the second round of the National Junior Series, along with Richard Horton (Bournemouth Jubilee)and Jordan Wade (Poole Wh) The 3 stage race consists of a road stage on Saturday and a road stage and criterium on Sunday. THe organiser is still short of a few marshalls for this event, details in handbook.
• After eight days of racing Sally Bigham (topeak-Ergon Racing Team) came out on top at the Cape Epic in South Africa. Racing in the Ladies pair’s category with Karien Van Jaarsveld the pair finished the Prologue Time Trial and seven off road stages, totaling over 700km, in 37.44.09 to win by nearly 2 hours. Closer to home, local off roaders were in action in the first round of the Southern X Country series at Checkendon, West Sussex, Darren Shepherd (Primera) was best place in 5th, Carol Tilley, Roland Tilley & Stephen Moors (Ridebike.co.uk), Gregg Shrosbree (Merida) were all trying to find form as the season hots up.

• Adam Topham (High Wycombe) powered his way to victory in the East Dorset C A 24 mile time trial. His winning time of 52.47 set a new course record for the rolling Badbury Rings circuit. After two punctures in recent races, Poole-based Topham was pleased to be off the mark “It was a relief to finish” he joked. The former county level squash player has turned to cycling and has is eye on the all the national championships, especially the 50 &100 mile races where he feels a medal is a real possibility.

• Road Racing will return to Moreton village, Dorset again this season. The popular Thursday evening circuit series will feature 13 races from May 13th to 4th August, with entry on the line. All riders will be expected to Marshall at least one event, a Moreton website will be launched soon with full details.
• Dan Ahearn (Cambridge Uni CC) produced a shock on his way to winning the New Forest club 10. Brockenhurst-Based Ahearn riding solo beat the much fancied two-up pairing of Julian Jenkinson & Stephen Whitewick. Ahearn is targeting the University Championships this year and it was his third win in as many weeks.

Club events get into full swing from next week, with BJW, New Forest cc and CC Weymouth on Tuesday, Poole Wh on Wednesday and hopefully Bournemouth arrow on Thursday.

Adam Topham (High Wycombe cc) Interview.

After two punctures had stalled his early season plans Adam Topham finally got off the mark in the East Dorset Cycling Association 24. His course record winning ride of 52.47 on the lumpy Badbury Rings course laying down a marker for the first half of the season. Indeed no one had troubled the time keepers with a "53" never mind a "52". As he cooled down back at the HQ i spoke to Adam and it is clear he is very focussed with some challenging targets for the season ahead. "I always set myself very stiff targets and generally i hit around half of them, if i hit half of this years goals i will be very happy with my season."
Those goals are age group national champion in 10,25,50 & 100
Top 10 in National 10
Top 10 in National 25
Podium in the 50
Podium in the 100

Ambitous? perhaps, Topham admits "they will be very startsheet dependant"
Those of you who read the time trialling forums will know he puts in the hard training and is very specific in his approach and he has certainly generated a lot of debate.

"Competitive sport has been a big part of my life since i was 10 years old, i was a gymnast to national level till i was 13 and was a pretty ok runner at school, winning a lot of local races. I was a county level squash player for 25 years, i did do some club 10s and two open 25s in my late teens but cycling was never a main competitive sport. I have cycled on and off to keep fit for squash but never took it seriously till 4 years ago"
Topham joined High Wycombe cc, and has remained with the club despite relocating to the south coast "Gordon Wright is the President and a good coach who has helped me a lot, so i am loyal to the club. I moved down here (Poole) basically to get more space and bring up the kids in a nice area". Four year old Samuel will soon have a younger sibling, as a new arrival is due in two weeks."That might disrupt things a little" (You get the impression it won't disrupt things too much.)

His whole season is already mapped out with racing every week right into October. With this level of commitment support is vital and the words "Mum & Dad" frequently crop up on his list of proposed races.As we talk we are interrupted by other competitors keen to buy Tophams recently published book on Time Trialling "Fly through the Pain Barrier" He has come prepared, a box in the back of the car is nearly empty by the time we stop chatting.
Never arrogant, he is just putting his cards on the table and who is to say Topham will not reach the targets he has set. Ultimately it does not matter, as is always the case with cycling, rising to the challenge is the whole point of it really

"Fly Through the Pain Barrier" is available through Adams website www.timetrialling.com or from Adam in person at most races.

"AHEARN BEATS WHITEWICK & JENKINSON" SHOCK

Dan Ahearn (Cambridge University cc) beat two-up pair, Julian Jenkinson & Stephen Whitewick on his way to winning the New Forest cc club 10. Winning for the third week on the bounce,engineering student Ahearn, who lives in Brockenhurst clocked 22.16 on the Beaulieu-Ferneycfort course while the Jenkinson & Whitewick could only manage 22.28. "Result" was Ahearns reaction on seeing the result board.

A Few more Images from the EDCA 24

Pete Wilson (Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood)

Pete Wilson (Bournemouth Arrow/Hotel Collingwood) On the Rivett in the East Dorset Cycling Association 24 mile time trial. Pete has been on the local cycling scene for longer than he cares to remember. Still as enthusiastic as ever and enjoying his sport. Pete was in action last week at Thruxton and is a road man at heart but has never been scared of "The Race of Truth"
Dig em in Pete!!!! (Do us all a favour and get rid of that bloody awful helmet)

Through the Pain Barrier

EDCA 24 03/04/2011

Adam Topham (High Wycombe cc) lived up to his pre-race favourite tag as he powered his way to a course & event record, recording a time of 52.47 on the rolling Badbury Rings course. Paul Jones (Bournemouth Jubilee) & Gary Dighton (Poole Wheelers) were left to pick up the crumbs for 2nd & 3rd place, with Jones just edging out former Olympic games rider Dighton by 17 secs. A small but strong field of 43 included Bryce Dyer, Simon Berogna and Julian Thacker (vc St Raphael) Terry Icke(Poole Wheelers)and Dave Pickering & Les Pick (BJW, all hoping to test Topham A keen south westerly breeze was on the riders backs as they headed north from the start at Wimborne Minster, it was a nice morning but certainly not a float day. The section of road that runs next to Badbury rings is known locally as Beech Avenue and is lined with 731 Beech Trees planted in 1835. By the time Topham had reached this point the race was in the bag, "It was a relief to finish" he joked, referring to two punctures in his last two outings. Topham, who lives in Poole is in good form and is targetting all the National Championships, including "Top 10 in the National 10, top 5 in the National 25,Podium in the 50 & Podium in the 100 but these will be very start sheet dependant" he added "if i achieve half of these i will be very happy with my season" Topham has recently had a book published entitled "Fly through the Pain Barrier" his approach to time trialling.

East Dorset Cycling Association 24

Brief Result
1) Adam Topham (High Wycombe cc) 52.47 (course record)
2)Paul Jones (Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers) 54.38
3)Gary Dighton (Poole Wheelers) 54.55

Full REPORT & Images coming soon

Road Racing Returns to Moreton

Road racing under TLI rules (The League International) will return to Moreton, Dorset for the 2011 season. The popular Thursday evening circuit series will feature 13 races from May 13th until 4th August. Entry is on the line for these handicap races, £6 for members, £8 Non Members. The flat 3 mile circuit on quiet country roads produces some fast racing and the corners come quickly on the triangular course, making it great for training. Long time organiser Pete Washington is stepping down,so this year a "coalition" will run the series. Each race requires 7 marshalls, so if you want to race you will have to commit to marshalling at least one event. A Moreton website will be launched soon with full details of the series.

"Just heard Daniel has been selected for the Tour of Flanders. I know he has been training for this right back to November last year, when the rest of us were taking it easy. It is probably his favourite race, so i hope he does a job, Dig em In"