Franklin and Hann battle to victories in Bike-Pace 50
Arthur Franklin (Fulfil The Potential Racing) and Claire Hann (Bristol & District Triathletes) battled against their rivals and the elements to take the men’s and women’s victories in the Bike-Pace 50.
Franklin, aged 35, from Porishead in Somerset, made it three wins on the bounce with a winning time of one hour, 41 minutes and 21 seconds – some 31 seconds clear of his nearest challenger.
After finishing fifth in last year’s National 100-mile Championships Franklin has already won the VC Bristol 10 and Newbury Velo 10 this campaign, but it was his first outing over 50 miles.
The R50/1B saw riders start outside Abergavenny and complete two laps of a 25-mile loop to Mitchell Troy and back along the A40 with a headwind to battle in the final stages.
After winning the Gloucester City Cycling Club hardriders 25 on his only other outing last month Christopher Gibbard (Bynea Cycling Club) had to settle for second in 1-41-52.
Meanwhile, fastest veteran on scratch Tim McEvoy (Fulfil The Potential Racing) led the battle for third clocking 1-43-25.
Conrad Moss (Primera-Teamjobs) was second veteran on scratch in 1-44-09 just eight seconds faster than third placed veteran Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic) in 1-44-17.
“It was alright apart from the weather which was pretty horrific,” said Franklin.
“It was warm, but it chucked it down, by the time I got to the start line I was already soaked to the skin.
“They weren’t great conditions for it and were pretty miserable. It was my third win from three which is quite a good start to the season.
“My main goals are the National 100 and 50.”
In the road bike event former National Hill Climb champion Ed Laverack (Backpedal) got his season under way with a winning time of 1-50-01 over 10 minutes quicker than Andrew Butcher (Cwmcarn Paragon Road Club) in second (2-00-07).
In her maiden appearance of the season Hann took a convincing victory in the women’s event by over six minutes and was the only rider to break the two-hour mark.
The 37-year-old who last raced in 2019 recorded an emphatic time of 1-57-05 which was clearly enough for victory.
Veteran Jo Buckland took second on a good day for Fulfil The Potential Racing clocking 2-03-46 while fellow veteran Emma Bexson (Stratford Cycling Club) finished third (2-08-00).
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.
* A full gallery of images from this event by Kimroy Photography is available here.
Results
Men
1 Arthur Franklin FTP (Fulfil The Potential) Racing 01:41:21
2 Christopher Gibbard Bynea Cycling Club 01:41:52
3 Tim McEvoy FTP (Fulfil The Potential) Racing 01:43:25
4 Conrad Moss Primera-Teamjobs 01:44:09
5 Anthony Jones VMCC powered by Y Beic 01:44:17
6 Lee Williams Newport Phoenix CC 01:46:39
7 Oliver Simon ATAC - Ammanford Triathlon And Cycling 01:46:46
8 Josh Griffiths Bikestrong-KTM 01:47:38
9 David Medhurst Cardiff Ajax CC 01:47:40
10 Callum Davies Tribe of one (FTV) 01:48:02
11 Stuart Day VC Sevale (Malvern) 01:48:12
12 Owen Burgess Newport Phoenix CC 01:49:18
13 Lee Francis Velo Club Bristol 01:51:39
14 Tim May PDQ Cycle Coaching 01:51:43
15 Neil Poulton Cardiff Ajax CC 01:51:58
16 Alex Touche Pontypool Road Cycling Club 01:52:27
17 George Comins Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA 01:52:39
18 Daniel Newton Bynea Cycling Club 01:54:48
19 Dan Farmer RçS 01:55:05
20 Tristian Manning ATAC - Ammanford Triathlon And Cycling 01:55:23
21 Benjamin Curtin Swansea Vale Tri 01:55:59
22 Chris Lee Merthyr CC 01:57:33
23 Meurig Griffiths ATAC - Ammanford Triathlon And Cycling 01:57:37
24 Mark Sanders Mid Devon CC 01:57:48
25 Paul Jones Bristol South Cycling Club 01:58:07
26 Luke Smith Bristol South Cycling Club 01:58:07
27 Michael Portlock Merthyr CC 01:58:32
28 Tommy Barlow Clevedon & District Road Club 01:59:28
29 Rupert Milton Tribe of one (FTV) 01:59:48
30 Gareth Jones Clevedon & District Road Club 01:59:49
31 Daryl Stroud Gloucester City Cycling Club 02:01:42
32 Paul Colman Haverfordwest Hornets 02:03:25
33 Philip Sims Newport Phoenix CC 02:03:47
34 Nick Cutcliffe Royal Dean Forest Cycle Club 02:04:36
35 Andrew Curley Warwickshire Road Club 02:04:45
36 Phillip Turner Bynea Cycling Club 02:05:33
37 Ryan Evans Rhondda Triathlon Club 02:06:15
38 Marco Marletta Cardiff Jif 02:07:21
39 Mark Evans Chippenham & District Wheelers 02:08:59
40 Derek Dowdeswell Gloucester City Cycling Club 02:10:08
41 Simon Kinsey Virtual Cycling Club 02:24:04
42 Harry Cowley Chester RC 02:43:45
43 John Howells Corinium Cycle Club 02:52:53
Women
1 Claire Hann Bristol & District Triathletes (BAD TRI) 01:57:05
2 Jo Buckland FTP (Fulfil The Potential) Racing 02:03:46
3 Emma Bexson Stratford Cycling Club 02:08:00
4 Rebecca Comins Newport Phoenix CC 02:09:54
5 Hannah Welling TORQ Performance 02:11:03
6 Amanda Lane Bynea Cycling Club 02:12:07
7 Jenny Hill Army Cycling 02:17:50
8 Joanna Knight Bristol South Cycling Club 02:24:06
Road bikes
1 Ed Laverack Backpedal 01:50:01
2 Andrew Butcher Cwmcarn Paragon Road Club 02:00:07