Ben takes on top pros in Chorley
LAST weekend saw East Lancs members taking part across the north west in a wide variety of events.
The glamour event of the weekend was the Chorley Grand Prix which was the first event in the Spring Cup Series. The 116 mile Race was centred around Chorley while taking in five laps of a 23 mile circuit that included a climb of winter hill every lap.
The field comprised 150 of the top riders in the country with every major UK professional team included.
The East Lancs had Ben Trippier taking part for the first time.
The Race started fast with an elite breakaway group of 19 riders escaping the bunch in the first lap, and they were never to be caught again throughout the race.
They were joined by a further 15 riders who steadily increased their lead over the peloton.
The weather played a big part with hail and strong wind battering the riders over winter hill, whilst it was fairly calm in Chorley centre.
Ben stayed in the chasing bunch for 75 miles before losing touch on the winter hill climb and at this point his tank was empty and he called it a day at a point when over half the field had already retired. The race was won by Karol Domagalski riding for One Pro Cycling in a lone breakaway on the last lap.
In the Leigh Premier RC 10m time trial, the Club had father and son David and Max Bentley competing against each other. This event was on the D10/1 course based upon the Rainford By pass near St Helens.
The course is flat and exposed with several roundabouts to negotiate, but it is nevertheless fast. David recorded 24:09mins for his fastest time in 20 years and son Max recorded 25:52mins to win the Juvenile prize with a great ride.
Dave Trippier tackled a 25 mile time trial in Cheshire, riding in the Macclesfield Wheelers event on the J2/9 course, which encircles Jodrell Bank.
The weather was kind for a change and he recorded 1:07:20mins for a creditable ride his first 25 of the season.
Up in Lancashire Anna Weaver was taking part in the Clitheroe Triathlon. Anna was second fastest women and 20th overall out of 289 competitors in 1:39:45mins, with a 59:14mins for the 30k bike ride, 7:14min for the 400m swim and 33:17min for the 8k run, but nevertheless and a great performance yet again.