Martin and Gunn clinch victories in Chippenham & Dist Wh 10
Dan Martin (University of Bath CC) and veteran Sarah Gunn (Minuteman CC) took the men’s and women’s victories in the Chippenham & District Wheelers 10 on the new U41 course.
It was the inaugural event on the new course and Martin set a benchmark for future competitors by setting a personal best winning time of 20 minutes and 41 seconds in near perfect conditions.
The U41 course starts on the outskirts of South Cerney before following the B696, crossing the A419 and riding on a road adjacent before making the return journey.
Despite the course looking relatively flat with no wind a slow road surface hindered times slightly.
A bigger entry than previous years tested out the new course and under-23 rider Martin, who also won the University of Bristol CC 10 earlier this season, ran out overall winner by 31 seconds.
Martin was chased home by Nick English (Aerocoach) in 21.12 while Lee Francis led home the rest of the tightly packed pack in third finishing in 22.09.
Quickest veteran home was Neil Dunnage (Coltswold Veldrijden) in 22.18.
In the women’s event Gunn, who finished third in the Stratford CC 10 last month, went two positions better on this occasion and was also second veteran on standard clocking 24.29.
She beat Jenny Simmonds (Look Mum No Hands!) into second with a 25.01 while Phoebe Davies (VeloVitesse) rounded off the podium clocking 26.24.
Bristol South CC clinch the hotly fought team prize with Josh Griffiths, Luke Smith and Daniel Kempe all finishing strongly.
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