Veterans Harrison and Booth take victories in Barrow Central Wheelers 21
Veteran Ben Harrison (Crimson Orientation Marketing RT) took his first victory of the season riding a minute clear of his rivals in the Barrow Central Wheelers 21, while Erica Booth (Lancashire RC) was victor in the women’s event.
Harrison, aged 41, from Carnforth in Lancashire, clocked an average speed of over 31.4 miles per hour on his way to setting a winning time of 40 minutes and five seconds.
The event saw riders travel on an out and back course between Ulverston and Barrow-in-Furness including two tough ascents through Baycliff along with a tough rise to be tackled in both directions before the turn.
Harrison has been knocking on the door so far this season with a fifth-place finish in the Beacon Wheelers 10 and seventh in the East Lancashire Road Club 10.
On his first open outing on the L212 course Harrison made no mistake finishing clear of his rivals.
The race for second could not have been closer with fellow veteran David Powell (Horwich Cycling Club) and Brian Fogarty (Fogartys Insurance Tri Team) both clocking 41-07 to share the spoils while Craig Battersby Tactic Sport UK Race Team) was a further two seconds back.
Junior rider John Roberts (Garstang Cycling Club) took the challenge to his older competitors finishing sixth in 41-48.
On her opening outing of the season Booth finished third in the East Lancashire Road Club 10 despite posting a time of 21-53.
Over the hillier terrain in the women’s event Booth was not to be denied clocking an average speed of over 28.42 miles per hour on her way to clocking a winning time of 44-20.
A close battle for second saw veteran Claire Rushton (Kent Valley RC) finish 48-23 which was just 12 seconds faster than Tamsin Vicary (Barrow Central Wheelers).
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