John Archibald on flying form in 50
First ever attempt at the distance shows there is much more to come, reports Snowdon Sports
John Archibald gave his World Championship hopes a big boost when he clocked the second fastest 50-mile time ever recorded, powering to victory in the VTTA National Championship in Nottinghamshire on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Ribble Weldtite rider clocked 1:34.11 in his first 50-mile time trial, and will tackle other events over the same distance as he targets selection for a ride in September’s World Championships in Switzerland.
It was double joy in his household as partner Emily Meakin (The Independent Pedaler) was fastest female overall, her time of 1:48.25 being more than four minutes faster than second-placed Anna Turvey (Drag2zero).
Due to ride the VC Cumbria 50 near Cockermouth this weekend Archibald – who was seven and a half minutes quicker than Alex Royle in second – said afterwards: “I wasn’t sure what to expect time wise as it’s my first 50.
“I knew Marcin [Białobłocki] had done a 1-30 which was in the back of my mind, but I just wanted to get out there and do my best. I’ve been doing a lot of longer efforts and training to build up my endurance for longer time trials like this so I felt confident I could give it a good bash.
“I’m applying to do the World Championships in Switzerland and I need some training races to test where I’m at form wise and make sure things like equipment and race style are all OK and on track.”
With no previous 50-mile time to aim for, Archibald was focused on his power output, and when he reached the halfway mark in around 47 minutes he knew it was going to plan.
“I was happy with how it went power wise, I couldn’t have expected much more,” he added. “It would be interesting to see what I can do over 50 miles and maybe look at going for Marcin’s record.
“There’s more in the tank for sure, and if I get better conditions and a better course and everything comes together who knows what I can do?”
Aside from the excitement of Archibald and Meakin’s performances, the VTTA National 50 title went to Sheffrec CC’S Keith Ainsworth. The 61-year-old clocked 1:49.13 to beat his age standard by 35.17, around a minute better than 43-year-old Matt Bottrill (Team Bottrill), while Andy Jackson (Aerocoach) was third.
The women’s VTTA title went to Sue Cheetham, the 57-year-old North Lancashire Road Club member who was 20.17 over her standard, which gave her the title by more than five minutes from Joanna Cebrat (Bury Clarion).