Saturday, May 17, 2008
Skip Navigation LinksHome / News

DAVE COASTS HOME IN TIME TRIAL FESTIVAL

Friday, May 9, 2008
DAVE COASTS HOME IN TIME TRIAL FESTIVAL
Dave Dent, overall winner of the Vectis RCC three-day time trial festival last weekend. Picture by PETER BOAM.
Sport/Cycling
DAVE Dent was the resounding winner of the Vectis RCC three-day time trial festival last weekend.
The rider, who is a part of the Wightlink/Wight Mountain racing team, came second in the first day’s racing, the 12-mile time trial.
But he resoundingly won the 24-mile and 46-mile trial to take the overall win.
Jez Ponting, from the A3RG team, came second, around two-and-a-half minutes slower in total than Dent.
The fastest veteran on standard, on the day, was Colchester’s Jim Reed, while Nina French, from Vectis RCC, was the fastest woman over the three days.
The best team overall was Wightlink/Wight Mountain.
Prize money was sponsored by Vectis RCC chairman and independent financial advisor Mark Blanchard, and he won some of his money back by finishing tenth overall.
Other prizes were provided by The Bike Shed, who also stepped in to help two junior riders take part.
Australian teenagers Chri-stopher and Alice Fresle, on holiday on the Island, wanted to be a part of the festival, and, thanks to The Bike Shed, they were able to take part in the 12 and 24-mile races on loaned Giant bikes.
They came 29th and 31st respectively in the 12-mile trial and 32nd and 28th respectively in the 24-mile trial.
Almost 40 riders tackled the three routes, with the 12-mile route taking in Afton Down, Brook, Brighstone and Chessell. The 24-mile route stretched to Chale. The final time trial was two laps of the 24-mile route.
At the presentations on Monday, at West Wight Sports Centre, Mr Blanchard said: “This was a really well-organised weekend, with a great turnout. Credit has to go to Des and Linda Eastman, who organised it. Without them it wouldn’t happen.
“This year’s race was a bit harder with the wind blowing in your face down the Military Road but the weather was much better for us.”
• More pictures in the Friday, May 9, County Press.

KIERAN'S SASH FOR AGGRESSION
FORMER Gurit/Wight-link Cycling Team member Kieran Page returned from his base in France for a rare appearance in England to compete in the East Midlands International CICLE Classic.
After a highly tactical race, only his second of the season, Page failed to finish as Ciaran Power won.
But to the cheers of the large crowd at Melton Mowbray, he was presented with the sash for the most aggressive rider.
The event is a UCI 1.2 category race, based on the idea of Paris-Roubaix, where in the latter the riders cover sections of cobble stone. This year 180 riders took part.
Page and Power’s team-mate David O’Loughlin, stuck with Power right to the final stages. Page dropped off first, followed by O’Loughlin to allow Power to win in a sprint finish.