At 30 miles the Edmunds Cup is the longest and toughest of Banbury Star CC’s weekly time trial events and always attracts the most dedicated of riders wanting to test their skills. The circular course starts at Tadmarton and heads out along the B4035 to Shipston where it then turns left onto the A3400 for a long leg down to Over Norton. From there it turns on to the A361 to Bloxham and then back to Tadmarton.
If the many hills and a fresh breeze weren’t enough for the riders to contend with, a set of temporary traffic lights at Shipston, added another dimension. However, only six riders were delayed, with their times adjusted accordingly, and it had no influence on the overall results.
Again regular visitor Jon Simpkins (Drag2Zero) set the fastest time, plus a new course record of 1.10.00, with Simon Smith second on 1.13.13, just 90 seconds ahead of Henry Sleight in third. The first club member home and therefore winner of the Edmunds Cup, was sixth placed Simon Kisley, with a time of 1.17.17. The fastest women home was Denise Shepherd (Team Cherwell) on 1.29.59, which put her 11th overall.
Results; 1. Jon Simpkins 1.10.00, 2. Simon Smith 1.13.13, 3. Henry Sleight 1.14.43, 4. Darren Alexander 1.16.28, 5. Ben Heaney 1.16.58, 6. Simon Kisley 1.17.17, 7. Simon Smart 1.17.43, 8. Ben Hawkins 1.23.24, 9. Mike Kirby 1.26.28, 10. Steve Hession 1.27.47