Event 1.
In glorious weather, five club members, Josh Newbould, Mark Boyles, Paul Whitehouse, Sian Marsh and Peggy Simpkins, made the trip to Worcester St John’s CC’s Open 10-mile TT on Saturday.
The 90-rider entry were also able to enjoy flypasts from nearby Ragley Hall air show, but it didn’t stop a fast event, where both the outright men’s and women’s course records were broken.
Overall winner Richard Russell’s (AeroCoach) record time was 18m.28s., while women’s winner, Leah Dixon – the winner of our 2019 women’s road race – record time was 21m.03s.
Josh Newbould was the fastest Star rider, putting in a great effort to finish 10th overall on 20m.59s. Sian Marsh continued her good form with a time of 23m.21s., finishing third in the women’s category, while young Peggy Simpkins was the fastest junior, with a time of 26m.17s. Other times – Race secretary Mark Boyles 23m.05s. and Paul Whitehouse 24m.38s.
Josh Newbould rode Saturday and Sunday 10-mile TTs with great results
Event 2.
On Sunday, a busy Josh Newbould and Paul Whitehouse were in action again, this time entering Newbury RC’s Open 10-mile TT. Conditions were favourable for the 80 riders on the relatively flat H10/17R course, taking place on the out and back A420 section of road near Kingston Bagpuize.
Robert West (AeroCoach) was the winner on 19m.32s. Josh this time finished an excellent 5th overall with a time of 20m.38s., while Paul finished 41st on 23m.45s.
Event 3.
Earlier in the day and not far away, three Star riders, Ant Harriss, Stuart Quick and Simon Bull entered the Oxonian 50 Mile TT, just outside of Oxford. The H50/17 course involves two out and back laps on the A420 from just outside Kingston Bagpuize to the Watchfield roundabout, with the return leg finishing near Tubney Wood layby.
The very early morning start conditions were ideal for quick times, with just a gentle south westerly wind and reasonably cool overcast conditions greeting the 67-rider entry.
The course was mostly flat with a few undulations, but enough to keep the legs hurting, especially for the outward leg to Watchfield. A 50-mile TT is always tough and challenging and pacing is key so you don’t run out of energy for the last part of the race.
Ant did a very quick time to finish 2nd overall on 1hr.48m.45s., Simon finished 15th overall on 1hr. 55m.57s. and Stuart finished 19th on 1hr. 58m.41s. A great effort by all, with the combined overall time of 5hr.43m.23s., winning the fastest team of 3 prize for Banbury Star CC.
Event 4.
Finally, with a result that has been on the cards for some time now, was an overall win for Luke Norris at the Open PDQ Coaching TT. Luke completed the 10-mile course near Cirencester in a time of 20m.14s. Father Matt also entered the event, setting a time of 23m.01s., which placed him 22nd and 7th in the Vet category. Yet another member of the Norris family, cousin Chris, finished 26th despite having mechanical problems.