A total of 61 riders, 25 from Banbury Star CC, competed in the club’s inaugural Open 10 mile time trial on Saturday. The new course, held solely on the B4100 to the north-west of Banbury, started outside Carpenters farm shop, with an almost immediate fast descent of Warmington hill. Gaydon roundabout was the turning point at approx. 5.75 miles with the return finish just before Warmington Hill Garage.
Whilst the weather was dry and sunny a fresh breeze along the course produced some interesting split times. With a tailwind and two descents on the outward leg the fastest riders were reaching the Gaydon roundabout, past the halfway mark, in around 8 minutes. The return into the headwind however was described as brutal as the fastest overall time of 21.04 illustrates. This was achieved by James Chapman (Team PB Performance) who finished 16 seconds ahead of Craig McKee (Team Jewson) who was just 1 second ahead of Jon Simpkins (Drag2Zero) in third.
Winner James Chapman at Gaydon roundabout turn
Banbury Star women featured well, with Suzy Patience setting the fastest women’s time of 24.53, a clear 2 minutes ahead of her nearest rival. Together with Ila Pearson and Marie Mcloughlin she also helped the club win the Women’s Team prize. Team Jewson won the men’s. Highest placed Banbury Star riders were Simon Bull 13th, 23.25, Lee Heron 15th 24.04 and Jonathan Ward 16th, 24.15.
Winners Chapman and Suzy Patience receive their prizes from Paul Dean
Top 10 results: 1.James Chapman 21.04, 2. Craig McKee 21.20, 3. Jon Simpkins 21.21, 4. Tim Bevan 22.05, 5. Mark Wise 22.16, 6. Shaun Eden 22.24, 7. Simon Smart 22.25, 8. Greg Brookes 22.41, 9.
Full results link here: https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-results/16467#anchor