Thirty six riders turned out to compete in Banbury Star CC’s annual Athletes TT, held on the usual 20km/13m course on the outskirts of the town. The event gets its name because riders must use standard type road bikes and not the full aero special TT bikes with disc wheels and other tweaks. Aero helmets and skin suits are also forbidden and on average this can add around 2m.30s. to most riders times.
As a result, this produced quite a few different names on the leader board, with visiting winner Will Vousden, setting an excellent time of 30.01, almost 3 minutes ahead of regular front runner Darren Alexander, who was a further minute ahead of third placed Steve Smith.
Will Vousden on his way to an impressive Athletes TT win.
Annie Heaney was the fastest women on 36.43, placing her 12th overall.
A few riders did turn up for some extra training on their TT bikes and Richard Jennings (Army Cycling Union) used the still conditions to post a time of 27.37, the fastest time this year.
Overall Results: 1. Will Vousden 30.01, 2. Darren Alexander 32.57, 3. Steve Smith 33.59, 4. Andrew Morris 34.17, 5. Stephen Haynes 34.25, 6. Michal Wisowski 35.15, 7. Pete Belsey 36.00, 8. Steve Goddard 36.01, 9. Rob Strachan 36.03, 10. Manu Heraud 36.15
On the same evening Simon Kisley, Mark Boyles and Matt Sleath entered Coventry CC’s 10 mile TT at Princethorpe. Simon, who had already won an event on this course a few weeks back, again set the fastest time of 21.28, with Mark finishing third on 22.58. Excellent results from a 25 rider entry.