PBs abound in a3crg 10 at Greatham
Riders throughout the startlist secured personal best performances as the good conditions helped them master the P881 course near Greatham in Hampshire on Wednesday evening.
Considered by some to be the slowest of the various A3-based 10-mile courses, this myth was blown wide apart with many setting PBs or season best times.
Finsbury Park CC rider Daniel Northover was fastest with 18-32, giving him the win on actual time by 28 seconds from Billy Jarish (Rose RT), while just five seconds further back was Paul Burton (Paceline RT) in third spot.
Junior ace Caitlin Peters (Storey Racing) was fastest female with 21-13, a personal best by 25 seconds and good enough to take victory in that category by 23 seconds from veteran Angela Carpenter (a3crg), while Claire Emons (Newbury RC) completed the podium in third, 20 seconds further back.
The event was also included a handicap category, and victory in that went to Chris Lord (Brighton Excelsior CC) who was two seconds quicker than runner-up Luke Rendell (Poole Wheelers). Lord’s time was his best for 33 years.
It was closer in the women's event with Amy Pretorius (a3rg) snatching victory from Anna Dwyer (Lewes Wanderers CC) by just one second.
It was Northover’s fifth open TT victory of the season, although his form has seen him secure many podium spots in 2019 so far.
He was the winner of the a3crg 10 twice in July as well as the Finsbury Park CC 50, while he also tasted victory in the ECCA 10 in March.
Caitlin Peters was also fastest female in the corresponding a3crg 10 a fortnight earlier on the same course (but in reverse) when she was 45 seconds slower. She will be targeting another fast time this Sunday when she rides the Sotonia CC 10 near Lyndhurst.
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