Archibald trumps Bialoblocki in the National 10
Record holder beaten into second place in men’s race while Turvey wins women’s prize
John Archibald led Ribble Pro Cycling to the team victory after he proved fastest in Sunday’s men’s National 10 title race near Irvine in Scotland. Archibald, the 27-year-old from Glasgow who clinched silver in the individual pursuit at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year, covered the course in 18.18, which was just three seconds quicker than 10 and 25-mile competition record holder Marcin Bialoblocki, while Simon Wilson took third.
Archibald’s victory was just one of several surprises in the result, which saw Bialoblocki beaten, reigning champion Dan Bigham place sixth and their Ribble team-mate Harry Tanfield down in 34th having snapped his chain on the way to the start, costing him 2.15 and denying him third place.
“I couldn’t have expected to win this, it’s amazing!” said Archibald. “I thought I had a reasonable chance of sneaking a bronze maybe, but I had a good ride and other people didn’t.
“I came off the start ramp nicely, didn’t hit any potholes and was laying down the power in the right places. Marcin said he wasn’t happy with his power, so it all worked out well for me.”
Meanwhile, newly crowned national 10-mile time trial champion Anna Turvey revealed she nearly quit the sport earlier this year after struggling with motivation, but decided to give the sport another shot just a few months ago after seven months off the bike.
The Tyneside Vagabonds rider, 38 and from Newcastle, clocked 20.26 to win this year’s title race by 43 seconds from Alice Lethbridge (Drag2zero) while Molly Patch (Fusion RT) was third in the women’s race on Saturday, the opening day of a weekend promoted by Ayr Roads CC and Fullarton Wheelers.
“I’m really pleased to win here; I didn’t expect it,” said full-time optometrist Turvey. “I didn’t train for six or seven months, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to carry on at all.
“Work and life pressures took their toll, getting up early and going to bed early. It’s a big commitment and I was missing out on normal life with family and friends.
“But the World Championships being in Yorkshire next year was a big motivator for me, and I want to get a ride for Ireland, so I decided to get back on the bike.”