Matlock Cycling Club’s time-trial series comes to a close

First up was the Tuesday night Ashford 5-mile event, where Leigh Fearn was once again in dominant form as he took yet another victory, equalling the course record he set just a few weeks ago in a time of 10 minutes and 36 seconds.

Second and third places went to Buzz Cycles riders Keiron Tennyson and Adam Kenway, both finishing under 11 minutes, on 10:49 and 10:58 respectively.

Youth rider Ellie Smith made her first appearance on the course and set a blistering pace as she finished in 13th place overall from 17 riders, recording a time of 13 minutes and 54 seconds to be the fastest female rider on the night.

Next up was Thursday night’s Short Hilly course near Cromford.

Buzz Cycles rider Adam Kenway put in the fastest performance to date on the new course, taking a comfortable win from Leigh Fearn after recording a time of 14 minutes and 31 seconds.

Fearn was second almost a minute back on 15:23, whilst John Johnston came third with a time of 16 minutes and 2 seconds.

Cheryl Henshaw was the fastest female rider, recording 19:08 to take 11th spot overall.

The time-trial series came to a close on Saturday with riders taking part in the Sheldon Circuit event, followed by the freewheel competition.

John Johnston took a well-deserved victory in the final event of the season, having been one of the most consistent riders all year.

Johnston recorded a time of 13 minutes and 28 seconds for the five-mile circuit, 20 seconds ahead of Mike Blair. Peter Colledge finished in third place with a time of 14:31.

The free-wheel competition was once again won by Colledge, as he was the rider who was able to roll the furthest up the opposite side of the hill he’d just come down.

The final Matlock Cycling Club points competition was won yet again by Chris Green who amassed 613 points from 35 rides. Second was John Johnston on 485 points from 37 riders, whilst third went to Mike Blair with 404 points from 24 rides.

In the ladies Tuesday night points series, Marianne Heffon was the comfortable winner taking 77 points from 12 rides.

Now that the time-trial series has come to a close, Matlock Cycling Club’s riders are turning their attentions to the Cyclo Cross and Hill Climb Season.

Matlock riders Steve Strange and Kevin White flew the flag for the club in the Glossop Velo hill climb on Sunday up the Glossop side of the Snake Pass road.

Strange was the fastest Matlock rider, recording a time of 14 minutes and 14.8 seconds to finish in tenth place overall from 64 riders, whilst White was 12th on 14 minutes and 29.5 seconds, good enough to take the overall win in the Veterans category.

In other news, Matlock Cycling Club’s Stewart Marsh smashed his personal best in the BDCA 100-mile time-trial on the A50 course near Etwall at the weekend.

Marsh finished in a time of 4 hours, 44 minutes and 30 seconds – knocking over 44 minutes off his personal best time.