McLean strikes gold for second year running in UK 10-mile race
Cyclist Christine McLean made a long trip south to the British 10-mile time trial championship worthwhile when she finished 10th overall and took the gold medal in her age category for the second year running.
The London West District had been awarded the honour of holding this year’s event which attracted over 300 entrants including the country’s top time trial riders. The competition comprises three separate races – juniors, women and men – with qualifying based on a recorded 10-mile time in the previous year.
The course, involving a short sharp hill on the outward leg and a steady sloping climb on the return, was not one of the fastest. However, the road surface was good and the route well marshalled. McLean powered around it with an average speed of 25.5mph, finishing well over a minute clear of the nearest challenger for the medal.
Warm and sunny conditions prevailed for most of the day with temperatures at their highest in the afternoon for the men’s race and with a stiffening breeze many of the times were not as fast as expected.
Nevertheless Carlos Riise put in his usual excellent performance which placed him in the top quarter of a full men’s field of 170 riders, his finishing time of 21:39 giving him an average speed of almost 28mph.
Last week Riise put in another excellent ride, finishing second veteran in the Scottish 10-mile time trial. Despite the course for the Scottish event having similarities to the British championship the weather conditions couldn’t have been more different as it was a far cooler, overcast day with a strong crosswind to contend with.
Back in Shetland the club’s Thursday evening time trial produced some good performances too.
Five riders opted for the longer distance of 25 miles and Colin Smith was the fastest back with an impressive PB of 1:01:26 while in the 10-mile event Steven Johnson’s first attempt produced an excellent 31:01. Most outstanding of all was Carlos Riise’s time of 21:35 which is a new course record.
Twenty-five miles: John Anderson 1:10:42; Robin Atkinson 1:11:57; Andrew Grant 1:02:35; Colin Smith 1:01:26; Shane Winson 1:09:12.
Ten miles: Bonar Barclay 28:50; Maurice Fraser 27:05; Tom Jenkinson 29:50; Scott Jamieson 31:01; Christine McLean 23:55; Carlos Riise 21:35 (course record); Barrie Scobie 27:41; Jack Scobie 34:09; Ewan Stirling 28:00.
The Shetland Wheelers unfortunately had to postpone their recent handicap event because of high winds, but the following week showed the change seven days can make in Shetland’s weather with warm, sunny conditions and only a light cross wind. The fast weather showed in the times posted, with four personal bests from nine riders.
The handicap results award the riders who have improved their times the most from last year, and there were certainly some big improvements shown. Jack Scobie led the way by a big margin after knocking nine minutes 29 seconds off his previous best.
Times and handicap times: Jack Scobie 32:20 minutes (PB), 16:18; Shane Winson 26:19, 18:31; Barrie Scobie 27:05 (PB), 18:44; Colin Smith 22:36 (PB),18:50; Lynsey Henderson 28:08 (PB), 19:21; Scott Jamieson 23:27, 19:21; Andrew Grant 22:58, 19:45; John Anderson 25:56, 21:34; Maurice Fraser 28:07, 22:18 .
A reminder that the annual Wormadale hill climb is on Thursday, 4th June. Riders should meet at Tingwall hall at 6.15pm to depart for the starting point at J&K Anderson Shop, climbing Wormadale to finish at the top.
