Evening 10s Rd 13 and racing round-up

The thirteenth and final round of Lewes Wanderers’ series of 10-mile time-trials for 2022 took place on the evening of Monday 25th July.  The event incorporated the “2-up” 10 where entrants compete as a pair and are able to work together swapping places along the course to hopefully maximise efficiency and speed.

There were half-a-dozen teams entered into that category and the victory was decided by just two seconds.  Joe Benians and Tom Moss crossed the line after 21 minutes and 50 seconds of all-out effort to narrowly defeat Bob Lovett (TMC - Strada Wheels) and James Bullen (trainSharp).

Gavin Richards and Kate Thomas (23:27) took a clear third ahead of Graham Faultless and Jeremy Page (Southborough & District Wheelers) whose time of 25 minutes and 28 seconds was 20 seconds faster than Neil Edwards and Barry MItchell.  David Beale and Paul Hanratty (28:37) completed the standings.

There were six solo racers on the night and the racing was even closer as just a dozen seconds covered the first four.  Graham Knowles took the spoils in a time of 27 minutes and 48 seconds, just 3 seconds ahead of Peter Baker who was fastest of the five entrants on road-bikes.  Andrew Booty was a further 5 seconds back with Steve Barry fourth in exactly 28 minutes.  David Wilkins recorded 29:07 in his first TT of the season and Simon Yates finished in 34:37 for 6th.

Peter Baker was back in action on Wednesday 27th July in Round 15 of the Sussex Cycle Racing League Track League at Preston Park outdoor velodrome in Brighton.  He began the night placing 4th from seven in the 6-lap “”Scratch” Race.  He was 17th from 20 in the 12-lap “Block Handicap”.  He came 4th again in the 8-lap “Points” Race, albeit in a field of eight and rounded out the evening as runner-up in the “Distance” Race.

Peter Baker by Kate Thomas

Peter competed again the following evening as Eastbourne Rovers CC hosted a 10-mile time-trial of their own.  He came 13th from 14 in a time of 27 minutes and 49 seconds while Tom Moss placed 5th in a swift 22:25.

Down at Goodwood Historic Motor Racing Circuit the same night a3crg ran a closed-circuit TT around 5 laps of the track in which Nick Dwyer (Drag2Zero) placed 8th from 31 in a time of 21 minutes and 19 seconds.

On Saturday 30th July Kate Thomas was the only Lewes Wanderer in the Veteran Time Trials Association (Kent Group) 10-mile TT on roads south of Ashford.  She was also the fastest of the seven female entrants in a time of 22 minutes and 45 seconds for 20th of 41 overall.