timetrial.co.uk H25/13 22nd June 2003
This morning's timetrial.co.uk race near Oxford promised a new competition
record with 10 and 25 mile national champion Stuart Dangerfield riding this
course for the first time (certainly in the last few years). Sadly, 15mph+
winds dissolved any real hope of this, but didn't affect some really good
racing. The full 120-strong field were set off at 30 second intervals which
made for a veritably sociable race by time trialling standards. The
important results:
1st/120 Stuart Dangerfield 48.52
7th Rob Driver 53.36 [V Legs!]
13th Alex Higham 53.52 [V Legs!]
So a modest long-48 for the Mouse. Perhaps he's not so well suited to the
really fast courses as Hutch, but I think all might have expected him to go
a bit quicker. New PBs for myself and Alex, both under the requesite 54min
full-Blue target time.
I rode fixed for the first time in a 25 which I can certainly recommend;
it's a really good way of pacing yourself and avoiding blowing up. Even if
that final drag through Botley (for those who have done the course) was a
bit though into a headwind in 50-13!
It's easy to forget that this is Alex's first season racing; I wonder how
many riders got a sub-54 minute 25 to their name in their first year.
Seriously good effort, mate.
As for other results, today was the National 50; another solid performance
from Rachel Horn gave her 11th place; consistently knocking on the door of
the top ten in the 10, 25 and 50. Also, Chris Brooking came in 18th on what
looks (from the times at least) like a fairly tough day in Norfolk. Plus,
Pete Leek, riding on the now modestly-fast F1 was unlucky to miss out on a
PB by 4 seconds to do a 1.02.01.
Rob Driver
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