PIERRE GUERN set a new club record for Leamington C&AC after claiming a top-ten place in the Team Swift 12-hour Time Trial in East Yorkshire.
Competing in his first 12 Hour TT, he broke the record of 254 miles, set by Jock White way back in the 1950s, by just three miles, and finished eighth overall.
Despite having a puncture around 100 miles into the event based at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (no, not the MCG in Australia!), he finished with 257.70miles.
Guern is no stranger to long distances, having ridden in several Ironman Triathlons in his career. His target was to average 22mph for the 12 hours (264 miles), and the weather was fair for the first half of the event. But after seven hours, rain set in and the temperature dropped, making it difficult to maintain any ambitious schedule.
Guern punctured after hitting a pothole at around the 100 miles, lost time getting a spare, and needed to change a wheel a couple of hours later, but soldiered on for the duration.
Guerne has promised to ride the event next year to seek another improvement. The winner, Mark Nulty, achieved 270.44 miles.
George Loveday took first place in the club ten mile time trial on a cool, windy evening when summer had disappeared and was replaced by early spring weather.
His time of 22 minutes 54 seconds was over a minute quicker than second-place John Herring, with younger brother Freddie filling the third spot. These three were the only riders inside 25 minutes.
Tim Cadd annd John Pitman were the next fastest riders, on 25:19 and 25:28. Anouk Molliex was the best woman on the night, recording 27:53, a clear margin over Helen Howells and Chris Walker.
