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Interestingly, while checking these results, I noticed
another New Year “10” result, the Southborough
event took place along the borders of Romney
Marsh resulting in a winning ride by Dan Martin of
20:10. I don’t suppose he was Dan Martin, former
winner of Liege-Bastogne-Liege, but for sure it was
an excellent ride for the time of year.
Two months of slow recovery gave me chance to
watch world cycling through TV or by streaming on
computer screens. My daughter, Laura, and
husband Ian enjoy cyclo-cross racing and through
them I have learnt of the popularity of this branch of
our sport, especially among young families. In
South Wales events often attract as many as 200
entries, with all ages joining in. Two years ago I
watched Evi Richards from Malvern showing her
bike handling skills at an Abergavenny event. More
Yorkshire Group Recorder Jymmy Trevor recently through Eurosport and YouTube I have
receiving the Eric Linley Trophy for followed the World Cup events in Belgium and The
meritorious service
Netherlands, where events attract large crowds
following stars the like Mathieu Van de Poel, Eli
Now after almost 3 months I am back on short rides Iserbyt, Wout Van Aert, Zednic Stybar, not
and walks, but unsurprisingly, some way short of forgetting our own Tom Pidcock, who made it to the
former fitness.
podium in several events. Among the women,
Now the latest group news. I would mention Celine del Carman, Annemarie Worst and Lucinda
performances of South Wales riders, as viewed Brand caught my eye. All these riders show great
from official VTTA season long competitions. David athleticism and bike handling skills including bunny
Wilson-Evans, Rod Hicks, Jo Buckland, Paul hopping logs, running up and down steps, sharp
Hayward, Leon Evans, Claire Greenwood and Sue turns, mud and loose sand etc., many of them are
Shook all did excellent short distance rides, but
failed to join 288 from other groups who entered
their best season long achievements. 2019 saw
just three returns in the popular short distance
championship - John Shehan 119th, Les Thomas
191st and Bob Jones 209 th . Well done to those
three for keeping South Wales on the 2019 map;
hopefully more will join in this coming season
On to 2020 and we started on January 1 st with
Cardiff 100 Miles RCC promoting their New Year’s
Day 10 at Llantwit Major. Weather conditions were
surprisingly calm for the time of year and of the 21
entries 15 completed the course. Fastest on the
day was Owen Burgess of Newport Phoenix with
23:23 while VTTA members Steve Curry 25:37, Bob
Jones 29:30 and Paul Griffiths posted respectable
times. The event attracted entries from a wide area
including the West Midlands, but I must Rebecca Wilson received her bronze
congratulate Felix Whetter from St Austell, Cornwell medal for the Women’s 24 Hour
for winning the road bikes section in 27:16 after a National Championship from Rachael
very long drive. Elliott at the Surrey/Sussex presentation

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