Over 60s win VTTA titles

A newly introduced system of agebased time adjustment at the VTTA National 25-Mile Championships saw two riders in their 60s claim national titles.

Both men’s winner Russ Richardson (Zurbaran Racing) and women’s victor Linda Dewhurst (Team Milton Keynes) picked up their maiden national titles despite being in their 60s.

Richardson, aged 65, posted an actual time of 54 minutes and 24 seconds on the blustery out-andback which was adjusted to 48-09.

Participation in cycling events may be down at the moment, but the VTTA National 25-Mile Championships bucked that trend with a full field of 120 veterans battling for national honours in Yorkshire on Sunday.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” said Durham-based Richardson. “I finished work in August so I can dedicate more time to it.

“I’ve lost a stone in weight so thought I’d be quicker up the little drags.”

Despite posting a time of 50-42 on scratch Richard Bideau (Pendle Forest CC) narrowly missed out on victory by 10 seconds with his age adjusted time, while Joe Costello (Legato RT) was third.

Richard Sharp (ADDFORM-VIVE le Velo) posted the fastest time of the day of 49-19, but at just 40 years old he dropped down the order with his adjusted time.

The women’s event also saw a new national champion crowned in the form of Dewhurst, with the 64-year-old’s time of 1-01-05 being adjusted to 48-17.

Deborah Moss (Springfield Financial RT) posted the fastest time on scratch of 58-03, giving the 52-year-old an adjusted time of 49-10, while Angela Hannonflaherty (Seacroft Wheelers) finished third.