Whizzing along thanks to Neil's helping hand
THE successful Whizz Kids section of Welland Valley Cycling Club are celebrating an important triumph - in the shape of a major sponsorship deal.
THE successful Whizz Kids section of Welland Valley Cycling Club are celebrating an important triumph - in the shape of a major sponsorship deal.
George Halls Cycle Centre, of Northampton Road, Harborough, has agreed to support the Whizz Kids project for the next four years.
Neil Holman, from the cycle centre, has been a massive supporter of the youth section of the club since it started seven years ago.
The shop has provided numerous prizes and, in conjunction with Dawes, a child's cyclo-cross bike was donated as a prize last October for the Welland Valley CC round of the West Midlands cyclo-cross league.
Mr Holman said he considered it important to support the grass roots of the sport and that he hoped his funds would see the Whizz Kids develop further.
He presented Dean Barnett, Welland Valley's youth development Officer, with a cheque and he will also maintain a number of Whizz Kids' bikes that are on loan to riders.
Barnett said: "The investment is a massive boost and will enable the Whizz Kids to enjoy more fun on bikes, whether it is racing or skills."
It has been a busy week on and off road as Welland Valley riders went in search of top finishing positions or times.
The latest round of Duncan Murray Wines Club 10 mile time trial series was held on the A6 Kibworth course. A total of 42 riders contested the event with Dave Clarke producing the fastest club time of the night recording 22. 29. Guest rider Carl Dyson (Cyclebargins.com) was 10 seconds quicker riding time-trial bike for the first time in 18 months.
Matt Plews was the second Welland Valley rider with 22.52, while in-form junior rider Tom Harrison recorded 23.11.
Nick Clarke recorded a personal best time of 23.54.
David Clarke 22:29, Matt Plews 22:52, Tom Harrison 23:11, Adrian Killworth 23:23, Richard Mortimer 23:47, Nick Clarke 23:54, Chris Hyde 24:04, Steven Boat 24:27, Mark Bosence 24:38, Andrew Twigg 24:50, Sam Crabtree 24:51, Stephen Cocker 24:58, Russ Raybould 25:27, Peter Scarlett 25:28, Richard Stannard 25:29, Matt Crabtree 25:32, Jeremy Pole 25:42, John Chell 25:44,Rex Wilkinson 26:08, Ronald Beach 26:16, Mike Ives 26:17, Michelle Wilkinson 26:28, Frazer Halcrow 26:30, Ben Hyde 26:34, Jeff Green 26:53, Jon Houghton 26:54, Simon Ward 27:03, Tom Evans 27:16, Neville Brooks 27:28, Richard Cole 27:30, John Davidson 27:37, Paula Fletcher 27:41, John Welsford 28:00, Shayne Wright 28:20, Michael Reay 28:43, Tim Harris 31:10; non-club riders - Carl Dyson 00:22:19, Rob Swannack 00:24:29, Marc Fairclough 00:24:55,Peter Greenhalgh 00:26:25, Rebecca Sellifent 00:29:41, Duncan Hopwood 00:29:54.
The following evening saw the inter-club challenge for Welland Valley against Rockingham Forest Wheeler, the latter being the hosts this year.
The event was over 25 miles around the testing Middleton circuit and proved to be a tough evening, with a headwind from Middleton to Ashley proving to be the hardest part of the course.
David Clarke was the fastest on the evening, recording 1hr 01min 42secs, with Matt Plews third on 1.03.15. A fine ride by young Tom Harrison saw him finish fifth on the night in 1.03.49.
Ian Waterfield, with 1.04.37, Nick Clarke, 1.05.28, and Adrian Stewart, 1.06.08, were the other Welland Valley finishers in the top ten.
Welland Valley had six riders in the top ten, scoring 31 points to Rockingham Forest's 24.
Other Welland Valley times: Adrian Killworth 1.06.29, Tom Evans 1.17.59, Jeremy Pole 1.11.52, Ray Taylor 1.16.07, Vic Barnett 1.09.09, Rex Wilkinson 1.10.59, Michelle Wilkinson 1.13.39, Linda Hubbard 1.11.03, Steve Boat 1.07.42, Russ Raybould 1.09.18, Nik Kershaw 1.06.41, Richard Stannard 1.11.12.
Round seven of Welland Valley's season-long club championship was staged last Sunday. The event was a 25-mile time trial with annual trophies up for grabs for the fastest overall and fastest on handicap.
The rolling course from Kibworth to Corby was a tough test as the temperatures soared.
Fastest, and sneaking inside the hour, was Dave Clarke, who recorded 59.45 to win the Armstrong Cup.
Tom Harrison once again produced the ride of the day, recording 1.01.35. He just missed out on the Hunter Cup for fastest on handicap as John Chell also raised his game to record 1.07.28 and after his handicap time reduction won the trophy on 57.28, seven seconds faster than Harrison.
Rob Jacks claimed his first top three placing and is improving with every pedal stroke, recording 1.04.15.
The Northants Cycle Racing Association has been a massive success this season with Welland Valley CC members enjoying the cut and thrust of bunch racing.
After the last event in the series at Southwick Rob Jacks, Nick Horder and Tom Sexton secured a place in the top ten overall in the summer series.
Tom Sexton won the combined Spring/Summer Trophy and Welland Valley won the team award.
Round eight of the region's Friday Night Mountain Bike Series was staged at West Lodge Farm Park at Desborough.
The technical course required the riders to show great agility and power.
Fleckney resident Matt Barrett (Raleigh) won the senior event.
The future looks bright as Welland Valley Whizz Kids took the top four placings. First was Ben Morris, followed by Louis Killworth, Jade Mobbs and Ria Mobbs. Unfortunately for James Garrett, he crashed out.
In the veterans' event, Mike Winters has been a consistent top six finisher, however an early puncture saw him having to retire this time out.
Rob Jacks was the best of the rest with 14th spot. Andrew Wood is starting to find some power and recorded a strong 19th. Chris Begley and Adrian Killworth were next in 23rd and 26th. Jon Houghton was returning to the action after a season blighted by a broken collarbone and finished 40th, just ahead of Nick Barnett.
Vic Barnett was fourth in the Grand Veterans event as he prepares for the firthcoming National Championship.
Chloe Parrington produced a confidence-boosting performance eighth in the women's event.
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Weather for Harborough
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
