The Men’s Race
First up on the day were the Men’s B team, hot off the disappointment of BUCS ruling them ineligible to receive a (silver) medal at either the BUCS 10 or BUCS 25. Team time trialling is a difficult discipline at the best of times, but the lumpy course near bath provides a few extra challenges with some tight corners and puncture-inducing potholes thrown in for good measure. Riders Ali Golby, Oli Mytton and Rob Walker had got in a small amount of practice together beforehand, which paid off with a level headed and well controlled ride.
MEN’S B TEAM HEADING INTO THE FINAL FEW KILOMETRES.
The Men’s A team were definite pre-race favourites with all three of Hal Bradbury, Seb Dickson and John Mulvey having placed within the top 4 individually and taken team gold and the BUCS 10 and 25. Illness during the week before meant their last ‘TTT’ ride together had been in this event the previous year. Unfortunately this showed somewhat in their slightly disjointed ride, with further delays from a short trip off course by one rider and an altercation with a van through the narrow village roads – thankfully with no serious damage done.
THE MEN’S A TEAM SETTING OFF
Back at the HQ, Cambridge B had placed second with a time of 50.06, just 3 seconds ahead of Warwick in 3rd place. Cambridge A had narrowly escaped with the win in 49.33. A great set of results again, but also much left to be improved upon for next year.
A VERY HAPPY MEN’S B TEAM, L TO R: ALI GOLBY, OLI MYTTON, ROB WALKER
The Women’s Race
After a series of strong performances in the BUCS individual time trials, the women’s A team, composed of Jess Atkinson, Lottie Mallin Martin and Joy Lisney, were hopeful going into the TTT. The one planned practice ride in the preceding week was called off due to a series of hail showers, so the race was to be the first time that they would ride together in formation. Unfortunately, Joy took ill on the day and there was nothing to be done except to get around the course in one piece, eventually finishing 6th with a time of 1.03.22. Despite this, they were only a minute behind the bronze medal ride, so perhaps they would have been contesting Gold if things had gone to plan, we’ll never know!
THE WOMEN’S A TEAM READY TO GO, F TO B: JESS ATKINSON, LOTTIE MALLIN MARTIN, JOY LISNEY
The women’s B team consisted of Emilie Lostis, Hannah Evans and Holly Knox, all of whom had never done a TTT before and so were nervous but excited beforehand. They did, however, manage to fit in a practice run down the Busway on the day before the race with women’s captain, Jess, so they were as prepped as they could be. During the race, they worked really well together as a team to come home in a time of 1.12.21, which earned them 12th place. Considering that last year there was no women’s team entered (due to lack of ladies riding and racing), it was really impressive to see two women’s teams entered and it bodes well for next year as they will no doubt go from strength to strength.
WOMEN’S B TEAM, ALL SMILES PRE-RACE!