JOHN Pitman proved to be the man to beat after winning the first Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club Championship of 2016.
Over the traditional two hilly circuits of roads around Harbury, Pitman ripped around the 22-mile course in 55 minutes and 45 seconds to take first place.
Last year’s winner Pierre Guern proved to be the best of the rest after finishing runner-up in 57.43 and new team member Ralph Anstis finished in 59.04 to take third spot.
In the women’s race, Tanis Hand won the trophy finishing in 1:09.03. She was involved in a traffic accident over the weekend and is currently recovering in University Hospital.
Results – John Pitman 55.45, Pierre Guern 57.43, Ralph Anstis 59.03, Tim Cadd 1:04.11, Mark Taylor 1:05.42, Paul Harper 1:06.34, Tony Foster 1:06.38, Tanis Hand 1:09.03, Dan Gulliver 1:10.59, Roger Gardner 1:18.32.
The club’s French contingent were also in action recently at the Shirley Road Club 50-mile time trial event last Sunday.
Pierre finished in 15th place with a creditable 2:02.20 finishing time on a warm overcast morning, while Anouk Molliex finished as fastest woman, missing her personal best by a couple of minutes with a time of 2:22.14.
The fastest rider on the day was Leamington’s Matt Clinton who passed many riders on his way to a rapid 1:44.04.
The curse of Wednesday’s wet weather struck again for the 25-mile time trial last Wednesday, with the rain starting just minutes after the last riders set off.
The heavy downpour meant that many were forced to finish before the full distance with just three participants finishing.
Ralph Anstis was the quickest home with a time of 1:05.04 and he finished ahead of Tony Foster and Dan Gulliver. Gulliver is rewarded for his consistency by heading the season-long points league having so far completed every tme trial and he leads by 138 points.
Just one point behind is Pierre Guern while Ralph Anstis and Paul Harper are currently the only other riders with over 100 points.
