Lewes Wanderers pleased to get two wheels turning again

Darren Haynes and Dave Beale / Picture: Rob Pelham

Cycle racing has resumed after a long hibernation and the first of Lewes Wanderers’ planned time-trials for 2021 was the Circuit of Danehill.

Restrictions denied the competitors the luxury of a village hall sign on and post-race cuppa and there was no hefty shove to get them moving.

Fifteen hardy souls signed on and set off on this 18.11 test against the watch.

Fast times were at a premium but Joe Benians scorched round the course in 44min 35sec to beat all other entrants by more than 90 seconds in a comfortable PB.

Runner-up was Duncan Fuller in 46:18 ahead of Richard Burchett in 47:26 and Peter Baker (51:25). Fifth and fastest of the trio to use road bikes was Gavin Richards in 52:08; seventh-placed Dom Lowden (53:36) and Neil Edwards (eighth in 54:44), being edged out by Darren Haynes on his TT-rig (6th, 53:06).

Just behind ninth-placed Graham Knowles (55:48) was the only female Kate Thomas (56:10). Vince Busk (56:27); Charlie Middleton (57:37); John Mankelow (59:42); Dave Beale (1:01:57) and Simon Yates (1:18:30) followed.

Two Wanderers competed in Crawley Wheelers gruelling Sporting TT over 41.69 miles. Paul Fletcher (trainSharp) posted 1.44.30 for 21st place, while Darren Haynes was 61st out of 63 in 2:21:58.

Joss Lowden (racing for Drops - Le Col s/b Tempur) showed her class in the first of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series promoted by Birkenhead North End CC. She covered the 22 mile course in 46.40 to beat her nearest female competitor by over four minutes and finish second.

In the annual Brighton Mitre ‘hilly’ time-trials ten mile event Lisa Davis (Drag2Zero) was fifth female overall and third among over-40s in 27:32 while husband Brett (trainSharp) was 14th in 24:55.

- PAGET COHEN