Bigham blasts to victory in Mid Shropshire Wheelers TT
Dan Bigham powered his way to victory in the Mid Shropshire Wheelers 25-mile time trial by around eight and a half minutes near Prees on Sunday.
The Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling rider put in a hugely impressive performance, slicing a massive 3-37 from the old course record held by Steve Cummings in 2019 with his time of 46-34.
Team-mate Jacob Tipper is no slouch on two wheels, but he had to settle for second spot with 55-01, while five seconds back was veteran Tim Beardmore (Bridgnorth CC) in third.
And in the women’s event Chester Road Club’s Rebecca Holland clocked 1-04-23 to win by around a minute and a half from Emma Serjeant (Hafren CC), while third was Chester Tri Club’s Lizzy Deery with 1-08-42.
Beardmore was best veteran on standard as well as third overall, his time giving him a plus of 12-37 over his age standard.
Henri Bedford (Revolutions Racing) was top junior with 56-54, while Bridgnorth CC were top team on the day. Beacon Roads CC duo George Thorne and Roger Cutler were best two-up in 55-33.
The morning was pleasant with only a light southerly breeze making conditions favourable for the event on a tough rolling course with nearly 300 metres of climbing.
With a personal best of 45-32 having been set on the super-fast Rhigos R25/3h course in South Wales, Bigham’s performance in Shropshire was the fastest ever on a course in the county and throws up questions once again about just how fast the 29-year-old can go.
Rebecca Holland’s victory is her first win of the season in open time trials, but comes after she placed second in the West Cheshire TTCA 50-mile event last month.
She’s next due to be in action in the Fibrax Wrexham RC hilly 32-mile time trial on August 1, as well as the same club’s 25-mile event later next month.
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