Quin leads the way for Wheelers
THE last week has been a good one for Macclesfield Wheelers. It started with Chris Quin winning his first road race of the season in the Stafford RC/ Stone Wheelers promotion on the tough Swynnerton course.
Chris was in a four man break that gained a three-minute lead before he broke away with another rider on the climb at the start of the last lap, before dropping him before the finish to win on his own.
Wednesday evening saw the opening round of the Club’s 10 mile Championship, held on the usual course running from Gawsworth to Congleton and back.
The club currently has a good crop of young riders, and two of these – Will Kershaw (18) and Matt Burt (17) – dominated the event. Kershaw recorded the joint fastest ride ever by a Wheeler on the course (20.55), a record that he shares with former Wheeler and current professional rider, Mike Cuming. Burt was runner up in a personal best of 22.03.
Alex Taylor was third with 22.19 (another personal best), followed by Mark Halloway with a personal best of 22.28. Further down the field, Paul Dean was another with a personal best (25.33) and Matt Yardley recorded a very creditable 25.39 in his first ever time trial. Daisy Pickles was the fastest Lady with 27.29.
The Wheelers promote four major events during the year, the Supacross in December, two road races and a 25-mile Time Trial, which was held on Saturday using a course based around Goostry and Chelford.
The weather was dry but cold with a nagging northerly wind making for a cross wind on large parts of the circuit. Chris Quin, riding his first Open Time Trial in 27 years was 2nd overall in 55.13, Matt Burt was the fastest junior with 58.58 and Roger Wrenn the fastest Vet over 60 with 1.03.09.
There was disappointment for Will Kershaw who missed his start time and incurred a near 26 minute penalty as a result.
Without that, he would have recorded 55.57 and the Wheelers would have won the team prize.
Other times were Lynne Skellern 1.16.46 (in her first competitive outing for three years), Ruth Gamwell 1.05.46 Oliver Johnstone 1.03.40 and Dave Hughes 1.03.29.
The event was organised by Mike and Emma Stretch and the Wheelers are grateful for all those members who gave up their Saturday afternoon to help out.