Friday saw the Great Yarmouth Cycling Club hold its annual Good Friday 10 mile Time Trial. A fortunate change in the weather resulted in a very good turnout with 129 riders meeting at the headquarters in Wortwell for an 8am start. Conditions were on the dry but cold side. Riders were thankful for a tailwind on the way out, although the turn meant they were faced with a tough return.
In the women’s event, 19 riders challenged for the top spot. Last year’s second place rider, Verity Smith (Stowmarket & District CC), showed that she was on top form this year by winning the event in a time of 24:16, with Cindy Berry (Bowl Phish Racing) and Sophie Lankford (Cambridge Tri Club) taking 2nd and 3rd with times of 24:46 and 25:11 respectively. Four of the GYCC ladies took part: Jenny Anderson rode the course in 26:47; Jan Smith completed the course in 28:17, and Kerstin Langer, finished the course in 27:58. All three ladies improved their times from last year by over a minute. A great start to the season. Catherine Lee made her debut at the Good Friday event, finishing in 29:57.
The Juniors’ event saw ex GYCC rider Ollie Woods take 3rd place, finishing in a time of 23:28. Second place was taken by Lucas He (VC Baracchi) who recorded a time of 23:22. First place was taken by Lyster Romero of Wigmore CC with a time of 21:18.
The men’s event attracted 106 riders, 11 of whom were representing GYCC. Jonny Hawes was the fastest of Yarmouth’s riders, achieving a time of 23:40 and Julian Claxton completed close behind in 23:51. Tom Moore showed excellent early season form getting close to his personal best with a time 24:43. Steve Brown, riding fixed gear, completed in 26:29 and Johnathan Lincoln finished in 27:13. GYCC’s only novices Myles Duffield and Simon Tait completed in 26:54 and 28:06 respectively.
The self-named Pensioners Peloton made up of Ron Bean, Paul Hastings, Allan Schoenherr and Grenville Moore showed that age is no barrier by attaining excellent times of 31:52, 34:18, 31:07 and 32:57 respectively.
The men’s event was won by Team Velo Velocity’s Matthew Senter in a time of 20:26 and 2nd place was taken by DAP CC rider Harley Matthews in 20:36. Third place was taken by Lowestoft’s VC Baracchi rider, Mark Richards, with a time of 21:09.
Luke Hurst (VC Norwich) won the Fastest Novice prize with a time of 25:08.
Paul Jay (Team Velo Velocity) took home the Fastest Veteran with a time of 21.41, also giving him 4th place overall.
VC Baracchi triumphed in the team prize, managing an aggregate of 1:05:58.
The club would like to thank Lynn Evans for organising a fantastic event.
Sunday saw Jenny Anderson and Jan Smith of the GYCC ladies out again, this time competing in the Wolsey RC 25 mile Time Trial. Conditions were once again favourable on the way out, but the wind proved a tough challenge on the return leg. Jan completed the course in 1:14:28 and Jenny in a time of 1:09:23, giving her 1st place in her age category. The event was won by Matthew Senter in 53-27.
