First presented in 1938, the Durran Cup for the club’s annual hill climb, is one of Banbury Star’s oldest trophies. Always held on the 700 metre climb up to Burton Dassett Country Park, it’s also the last timed event in the club’s annual calendar of events.
Over recent years the event has been integrated into the two Saturday club rides and while not everyone elects to compete, it does mean a great gathering of members to cheer on all those that enter and take part.
Somehow every year, someone manages to break a record on this long-established short course and this year was no different. What we didn’t expect was a new junior U16 record of 1m.24.9 – an amazing time for 12-year-old Will Morris. A time, just 1.9s slower than his father Andrew, which in turn placed him joint 6th overall. The club really has some exciting young juniors at the moment.
Record breakers Will Morris and Naomi de Pennington – photos Paul Dean
When the club’s fastest women of the moment, Naomi de Pennington, turns up a new record is always a possibility and again that was the case. Naomi lowered her current record, set in 2019, by 3.4s, stopping the clock on 1m.26.6s. This placed her 8th overall as well as winning the Broadribbs Cup for the fastest woman. Second was Heidi Yates on 1m.39.8s, while 15-year-old Poppy Kisley was an excellent third on 1m.43.5s.
Fastest time of the day was again set by Tobi Ng (PB Performance) who equalled the outright course record set by former pro-rider Will Fox in 2017. His time of 59.1s was around 3 seconds quicker than last years’ time, a just reward for his dedication to hill climbing. However, as Tobi is now a second claim member, the Durran Cup is awarded to second placed and first club member Luke Norris. By coincidence, his time of 1m.02.7s., equalled Tobi’s club record set last year.
Fastest rider Tobi Ng and Durran Cup winner Luke Norris – photos Paul Dean
Top 10 Results; 1. Tobi Ng 59.1, 2. Luke Norris 1m.02.7s, 3. Graham Martin 1m.08.3s, 4. Alastair Williams 1m.13.0s, 5. Andrew Morris 1m.23.0s, 6. William Morris and Joshua Knight 1m24.9s Naomi de Pennington 1m.26.6s, 9. Cameron Foster 1m.27.2s, 10. Matt Norris 1m.27.8s
Full results of the event are now up on the TT page of the club website.
Don’t forget, next Saturday’s final club competitive event is the easiest on the calendar with no pedalling allowed – the Trinders Trophy Freewheel Downhill Competition. It’s again part of the two Saturday club rides, so why not give it a go. No registration is required for this event, so you can just turn up on the day. History shows the larger heavier rider definitely seems to have an advantage on this event .