The top teams were still to finish, however, but David Clarke, Peter Watson and Matt Plews were still pleased to end up 17th overall on Sunday, having completed the 26.3 mile course in an excellent time of 58.51 with an average speed of 26.71mph.

A change of course due to temporary traffic lights had meant that the event, hosted by the Leicestershire Road Club, had been cut from 30 miles to 26.3 miles and was based on two laps of a circuit on the A46.

The riders endured a typical British summer, with torrential downpours of rain and a strong wind, with the last ten miles full into the headwind.

With the spray from the riders’ wheels in front making it difficult to see ahead, the best place to ride was at the front, until hit ting the headwind.

Given the form that Clarke has shown so far this year, the tactics Watson and Plews were attempting to adopt were simple – Clarke on the front, with Watson and Plews alternating turns behind him.

After a steady start, the trio worked well together and completed the first 12.5 miles in 27.50.

As the rain eased off slightly towards the end, the only obstacle was the wind for the final ten miles.

Back at the HQ, the Welland Valley trio saw the results board after the first 15 teams had finished and were surprised to see that they had recorded the third fastest time.

Among the favourites, The Planet X A Team finished with two men following a puncture and Shorter Rochford RT didn’t finish at all after one of them felt ill during the ride.

Victory went to the De Rosa RT in 52.07, with Arctic Premier RT 12 seconds adrift in second and Sportscover.Com third in 52.39.

l More cycling on p61.

Welland Valley Vs Rockingham Forest Wheelers – Interclub

The annual Interclub Time Trial between Welland Valley and Rockingham Forest Wheelers took place on Wednesday evening, over 25 miles. With warm sunny conditions, and based on a tough circuit of 2 and a half times round the Valley circuit, meant the riders went up Bringhurst Hill three times.

Welland Valley have held the Inter Club trophy for several years in succession, but this year was not to be as Rockingham Forest took the Interclub victory, with 29 points to Welland Valley’s 26. Welland Valley’s David Clarke was the fastest on the night and was the only rider to get under the hour, with a time of 59.36.

WVCC Results:

David Clarke 59.36, Gavin Hinxman 1.04.19, Paul White 1.06.24, Vic Barnett 1.07.14, Ian Waterfield 1.07.46, Bill Barrie 1.07.51, Adrian Killworth 1.08.37, Alex Fry 1.12.19, Del Spicer 1.15.24, Chris Brown 1.15.57, Nev Brooks 1.19.47, Andy Blake 1.23.03, Kev Nicholls 1.20.42.

Hertfordshire Wheelers 10

Hertfordshire Wheelers hosted a 10 mile time trial on Saturday evening on the F10/20 course. Four riders from Welland Valley CC, Linda Hubbard, Ian Waterfield, Gavin Hinxman and Chris Hyde, competed.