Gullen breaks course record in South Pennine 25
James Gullen (JLT Condor) broke the course record for the A25/11 near Etwall in Derbyshire as he powered to an impressive victory in the South Pennine RC 25 on Saturday afternoon.
The 27-year-old Yorkshireman, who now lives in Lancaster, covered the course in 45.58 to take the win by 59 seconds and break Matt Bottrill’s old course record by 12 seconds.
Second place on the day went to one of Bottrill’s coached riders, Stuart Travis (Team Bottrill) who clocked 46.57, while third spot was claimed by 46-year-old Steve Irwin, the North Lancashire Road Club vet who was another minute off the pace with 47.59.
Gullen’s ride – although impressive – was 22 seconds shy of his personal best, set last season in South Wales.
He is next due to be in action in two midweek events next week, the Saddleworth Clarion 18-mile hilly on Wednesday and the Blackburn and District two-up 10, where he plans to ride with David Allonby (Springfield Financial) in pursuit of their own course record of 19-27.
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Results:
1. James Gullen (JLT Condor) 45.58 (course record)
2. Stuart Travis (Team Bottrill) 46.57
3. Steve Irwin (North Lancs RC) 47.59
4. Aaron Ward (Team Bottrill) 48.09
5. Richard Bideau (Pendle Forest CC) 48.26
6. John Lucock (Police Sport UK) 48.40
7. Lee Tunnicliffe (Lutterworth Cycle Centre) 48.42
8. Ian Guilor (Mapperley CC) 49.29
9. Joel Wainman (SSLL Racing Team) 49.41
10. Daniel Barnett (Team Bottrill) 49.44
Veterans: Steve Irwin