Page 37 - Issue 63_FINAL WEB normal_Neat

VTTA NATIONAL 15 MILE CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunday 8th September 2019

NEC Representative Mike Penrice
Catterick was a popular time trialling venue in the days
when competition thrived on the Great North Road -
Peter Longbottom beat Alf Engers' 12 year old
competition record '49' there. Since then racing was
curtailed firstly due to high traffic levels and more recently
due to upgrade of the A1 to motorway standard. That
work now being complete there is a quiet and very well
surfaced, but quite lumpy, service road alongside the
A1M and this, along with the new Bedale By-pass, was
used for the 15 mile championship, with the
headquarters in a nearby leisure centre.
Organiser Gavin Russell of VTTA North group had
assembled a good field of 66 solo riders and 3 tandems
for the VTTA championship along with 16 for the
supporting 'all ages' event. The day was blessed with
Fiona Sharp and Ron Hallam - men’s the normal North Yorkshire weather of bright sunshine
and women’s champions and warmth and with only a very slight wind conditions
were absolutely perfect.
The battle for top spot was expected to be between defending champion Ron Hallam and Keith
Ainsworth (who this season has won the 10 championship, been second in the 25 and third in
the 50). Ainsworth's plus of 10:14 looked good enough to win by a big margin until Hallam
(benefitting from a birthday two days before) edged him with +10:22, but nobody would
begrudge Ron his repeat win at 89 years of age.
The group team competition was a local victory with North Group's Keith Murray, Russ
Richardson and Nev Martin, who beat teams from North Midlands, Yorkshire, Scotland, Notts
& E Mids and North Lancs & Lakes. The
club team competition also stayed local with
the GS Metro trio of Nev Martin, Ben Lane
and Phil Kennell.
As expected the women's gold went to Fiona
Sharp of Team Swift, but what was not
widely known was that she did this the day
after being support driver for her husband
Richard on his successful attempt on the
RRA Edinburgh to York record.
Mention must also be made of tandem
winners Murray Kirton and David Stockley of
A5 Rangers, who left their homes in
Northamptonshire at about 3.30am for their
9.01am starting time.
Thanks to Gavin and his team from North
Group and friends for a very successful Murray Kirton and David Stockley - tandem
championship. champions

37