Circuit of Danehill and racing round-up
The Easter weekend saw cycle racing resume after a long hibernation and the first of Lewes Wanderers’ planned time-trials for the 2021 - the Circuit of Danehill on Easter Sunday. It wasn’t entirely back to normal though as restrictions denied the competitors the luxury of a village hall sign on and post-race cuppa and there would be no hefty shove to send them on their way.
Given that it was a raw, grey April morning with a biting northerly wind it was hardly surprising that only fifteen hardy souls signed on in the car park and set off on this 18.11 test against the watch.
Fast times would be at a premium in such conditions, but one man who resolutely defied such logic was Joe Benians who scorched round the course in 44 minutes and 35 seconds to beat his personal best by over 4 minutes and all other entrants by over 90 seconds.
Darren Haynes (left) and Dave Beale (right) race through Newick. Photo courtesy of Rob Pelham
The runner-up was Duncan Fuller in a fine 46:18 ahead of Richard Burchett in 47:26 and Peter Baker (51:25). In 5th place, and fastest of the trio to use road bikes, was Gavin Richards in 52:08; 7th placed Dom Lowden (53:36) and Neil Edwards (8th in 54:44), being edged out by Darren Haynes on his TT-rig (6th, 53:06).
Just behind 9th placed Graham Knowles (55:48) was the only female competitor Kate Thomas (56:10) with the results-sheet being filled out by Vince Busk (56:27); Charlie Middleton (57:37); John Mankelow (59:42); Dave Beale (1:01:57) and Simon Yates (1:18:30).
The long weekend of racing actually kicked-off on Good Friday with two Wanderers competing in Crawley Wheelers gruelling “Sporting” TT over a full 41.69 miles and in very similar conditions. Paul Fletcher (racing for trainSharp) posted a strong time of 1 hour 44 minutes and 30 seconds to place 21st, while Darren Haynes placed 61st of the 63 finishers in 2:21:58.
That same morning Joss Lowden (racing for Drops - Le Col s/b Tempur) showed her class in the first of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series promoted by Birkenhead North End CC. She covered the 22 mile course south-east of Chester in 46 minutes and 40 seconds to beat her nearest female competitor by over 4 minutes and finish second overall, just 26 seconds behind the fastest man.
The weekend also saw the annual Brighton Mitre “hilly” time-trials with the 10 mile event on the Saturday and the 25 on Easter Monday with several Lewes riders involved. Over the shorter distance Lisa Davis (Drag2Zero) proved 5th female overall and 3rd among over 40s thanks to her time of 27:32 while her husband Brett (trainSharp) was 14th from 45 finishers in 24:55.
Joss Lowden (Drops - Le Col s/b Tempur) triumphed again on Monday as her time of 1 hour 4 minutes and 9 seconds in the road bike category placed her 5th overall. Anya Tamplin (Hunt Bike Wheels) was 2nd fastest female in 1:15:45 and 33rd overall, while Peter Baker placed 39th of 41 with 1:26:39.
