VTTA East Midlands 10 triumph for Oakes
Newly-crowned National 15-Mile Champion Richard Oakes was fastest overall at the VTTA East Midlands 10-mile time trial in Long Bennington on Saturday afternoon.
Team Ohten Aveas rider Oakes finished in 19-36, 24 seconds ahead of George Fox (George Fox Cycling Solutions) who in turn beat Team Bottrill’s Neil Parkin who clocked 20-06.
Oakes also recorded the best on standard time of +7-31, while Team Bottrill’s Geoff Platts managed+6-44.
This victory continues 53-year-old Oakes’ fine recent form, having won the National 15-Mile Championships the weekend before, alongside a fifth place at Melton Mowbray CC on April 9.
Oakes will now aim for further success at the VTTA National 10 Championship on April 30 and has also entered the National Team Time Trial Championship on May 22.
Martin Fisher (Melton Olympic) and Mark Tomlinson (Peterborough CC) shared the prize on handicap after both recording 17-21.
On a windy but clear day, there were several withdrawals including all three female entrants, although 47 riders still attempted the time trial.
The A10/14A course starts on the Great North Road in Long Bennington, before heading southwards onto the A1 past Foston and Gonerby Moor, then turning at the roundabout and retracing the route northwards to the finish line just before Valley Lane.
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.