Inverclyde Now Logo CYCLING — Alex Hunter Summer Time Trial League Starts

2 May, 2018 | Local

THE Alex Hunter summer time trial league is underway and Inverclyde Velo riders have also been in action in open racing.

The first event was to have take place the previous week but was cancelled as poor weather made conditions on the course too dangerous.

Conditions for the actual first race — on 17 April — weren’t ideal either because of a strong easterly wind and heavy rain showers.

Despite the grim weather, 10 riders showed up to the race the clock around the 13-mile course.

There were a lot of fast times recorded but, showing solid early season form and bagging the first win of the 2018 league, was Paul McGonigle, crossing the line in 30 minutes 24 seconds.

Results:

1 Paul McGonigle 30:24

2 Alan Holms 30:51

3 Rory McMillan 31:17

4 George McCarter 33:05

5 Alastair Gillespie 34:17

6 Peter Harridge 35:19

7 Robert McCready 35:21

8 Danny McLaughlin 35:28

9 Arthur McMillan 36:20

10 Mark Smith 37:32

New riders are welcome to go along and race the clock; riders meet for the time trial every Tuesday on Cloch Road, Gourock, just after McInroy’s Point and for the APR (Australian Pursuit Race) every Thursday along at the Gantock flats. Both events start at 7pm. Anyone using Strava can check out the route using the Cloch Time Trial segment.

Peter Harridge

Meanwhile in open racing, Inverclyde Velo have been active, taking part in events elsewhere in Scotland.  Matt Hennon, Patricia Baird and Peter Harridge have all been flying the flag for the club and sporting the new 2018 kit.

Patricia Baird, pictured right, raced in the Law Wheelers 10-mile time trial in Stirling, a typically tough early season race with bitterly cold conditions. Patricia did the club proud and crossed the line in 26 minutes 33 seconds, winning fastest lady by 38 seconds over her closest rival.

Next up were Matt and Peter racing the Falkirk BC 10-mile time trial. This was the first time either of the riders had raced the course which proved to be quite challenging with three tight left-hand turns and a long drag up to the finish line.

This was Matt’s first race on his new time trial bike. He started off well but within five minutes it became clear that there was something wrong with his position on the bike with severe muscle pain for the rest of the race. Despite this he crossed the line in 23:00 minutes and secured 11th place. Peter also rode a strong race crossing the line in 27 minutes, 3 seconds.

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