Wins for Dewhurst and Axford in Warwickshire
Danny Axford and Linda Dewhurst finished as top man and woman in the Banbury Star CC 10-mile open time trial near Warmington, Warwickshire, on Saturday morning.
Axford (Arctic Aircon RT) found himself atop the podium for the first time in nearly five months, claiming his second victory of the 2019 season so far.
The 44-year-old clocked a table-topping time of 20-53 but faced around a 20-minute wait to see if he would lose his place. Ryan Davies came closest but Simon Smart – the last man out the blocks, failed to topple Axford confirming the Arctic Aircon RT rider’s triumph and second victory of the season.
Ryan Davies (AS Test Team) maintained a consistent year with his fifth podium in seven started events with a second place.
Davies posted a time of 21-15 falling 22 seconds adrift of the winning time but over another minute ahead of third placed Simon Smart (Drag2Zero).
Smart recorded a resounding personal best finish open event placing on record so far, rising four spots from a previous best of seventh to third with a time of 22-25.
Linda Dewhurst (Team Milton Keynes) finally broke a trend of close calls to top the women’s timesheets for the first time on record this season.
Numerous second places without a win had been her season’s story so far but the 60-year-old bettered her nearest rival by over a minute to take a maiden victory in comfortable fashion.
Dewhurst clocked a time of 25-09 to see her take home the ‘gold’ ahead of Debbie Honour (VC 10) who crossed the line in 26-32, while another 18 seconds behind was Jill McKinnon (Kenilworth Wheelers) to complete the podium places.
In other categories Blaine Carpenter (Shutt Ridley RT) was quickest junior with a time of 22-45, managing to finish eighth overall.
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by Jack Cudworth.