Swift and Bramley take victories in Birdwell Wheelers 25
Professional rider Connor Swift (Madison Genesis) smashed the course record by 49 seconds in the Birdwell Wheelers 25-mile time trial in South Yorkshire, while Kirsty Bramley (Team Swift) won the women’s event.
Riding only his second 25-mile time trial, Swift set a blistering time of 50 minutes and 53 seconds to take a clear victory and beat the previous course record of 51.42 set by Philip Graves in 2011.
It started a tough weekend for Swift in preparation for the Tour of Yorkshire next week as he figured strongly in the East Cleveland Klondike Grand Prix national series road race the following day.
“I did the event a couple of years ago and it was my first ever 25-mile time trial and I haven’t done one since,” said Swift.
“I only live five miles from the course so I’m pretty chuffed to have got the course record. I’ve recently altered my time trial position and had a bike fit and had a really good day.
“It’s not a fast course but I just felt really good. I want to ride the National Championships this year.”
Finishing second nearly two minutes behind Swift was fastest scratch veteran rider Peter Nicholls (Race Hub) clocking 52.47 while Richard Sharp (Team Swift) finished third a further seven seconds behind.
The women's event proved to be a double for Kirsty Bramley (Team Swift) after also winning Birdwell Wheeler's 10-mile event a fortnight ago.
She clocked a winning time of 1:00.52 and was chased home all the way by Madeline Moore (TORQ Performance) finishing second in 1:01.22 with Fiona Sharp (Team Swift) third in 1:01.54.
The team prize went to Harrogate Nova's Steve Smales, Craig Stevenson and Peter Watson in an aggregate time of two hours, 48 minutes and 52 seconds.
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