Jon Simpkins wins Banbury Star’s Athletes 13 TT
This popular annual event is for riders competing on standard road bikes – no TT aero specials with deep section, or disc wheels and aero handlebars. Over the 20k/13mile course this adds around 2 minutes to most riders’ times.
A lovely evening brought with it an excellent entry of 45 riders, of which 35 were judged to have the correct equipment. Entering into the spirit of the event, Brian Reid turned up on 1955 Sun Manx TT bike, while normal pace setter Darren Alexander wheeled out his new Brompton folding bike for competition.
Course record holder on a TT bike, Jon Simpkins, proved that he’s still no slouch on a standard bike either by setting the fastest time of 30m 28s, but only 10s ahead of Stuart Morgan. Young Ruben Trotter finished in a creditable fourth place.
Those on TT bikes were allowed to complete the course and Suzy Patience took the opportunity to lower her own women’s course club record by 2secs, now standing at 31m 11s.
Results: 1. Jon Simpkins 30m 28s, 2. Stuart Morgan 30m 38s, 3. Matt Longman 31m 35s, 4. Ruben Trotter 31m 36s, 5. Roger Foster 32m 29s, 6. Jonathon Ward 32m 45s, 7. Ben Heaney 32m 46s, 8. Chris Noble 33m 29s, 9. Barry Duplock 34m 16s, 10. Mike Hicks 34m 32s