Rigby and Booth power to victories in Circuit of Coniston
Scratch rider Tom Rigby (Croston Velo) used his power and technical ability to take victory by 53 seconds in the Circuit of Coniston time trial, while veteran Erica Booth (Lancashire RC) won the women’s event.
32-year-old Rigby only rode one event last season but started his 2022 campaign with a victory, clocking a time of 35 minutes and two seconds over the slightly shortened 15-mile route.
Known as one of the most scenic time trial courses in the country, the fast riders had little time to take in the view in the Barrow Wheelers’ Circuit of Coniston.
Taking place on the rural roads to the east of Broughton in Furness in Cumbria competitors started and finished in Lowick Bridge.
Starting on the east side of the River Crake competitors followed the banks on an unclassified road taking them through High Nibthwaite and then alongside Coniston Water up to the B5285.
After passing through Coniston riders climbed on the A593 to Torver and then turning onto the A5084 and then running adjacent to Coniston Water and the River Crake back to Lowick Bridge.
The sporting course included long climbs, twists and turns, steep uphills, fast descents, sharp bends and two cattle grids.
The course had to be made two miles shorter because of traffic lights at the last minute.
Rigby’s last open time trial win came in August 2018 but he was not to be denied this time out taking a clear win.
Veteran Richard Helm (Barrow Central Wheelers) led the charge behind taking second in 35-55 while Andrew Whiteside (Springfield Financial Racing Team) finished third 36-45.
On her first outing of the year veteran rider Booth was a clear winner in the women’s event recording a time of 41-24.
Host club Barrow Central Wheelers took the final two podium spots with Tamsin Vicary finishing second in 43-39 while team-mate Rebecca Cleator was third (48-02).
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Results
1 Tom Rigby Croston Velo 35.02
2 Richard Helm Barrow Central Wheelers 35.55
3 Andrew Whiteside Springfield Financial Racing Team 36.45
4 Paul Roby Lancashire RC 37.42
5 Tom Broadbent HD Revolutions 37.50
6 Daniel McParland Tri Preston 38.10
7 David Gleave Velo Club Cumbria 38.18
8 Alistair Rutherford Manchester Bicycle Club 38.36
9 Neil Withington Beacon Wheelers 38.37
10 Derek Parkinson Springfield Financial Racing Team 38.40
11 Richard Morgan Barrow Central Wheelers 39.02
12 Andrew Sudell Barrow Central Wheelers 39.15
13 James Claydon Bill Nickson Cycles 39.35
14 Jon Longworth Bury Clarion CC 40.05
15 Robert Marshall Team Andrew Allan Architecture 40.29
16 Paul David Fleming Preston Whs 40.30
17 John O'Callaghan Barrow Central Wheelers 40.48
18 Paul Blackburn Coveryourcar.co.uk RT - 41.14
19 Jonathan Brown Lakes Road Club 41.15
20 Erica Booth Lancashire RC 41.24
21 George Baker Barrow Central Wheelers 41.30
22 Edward Quick Lakes Road Club 42.18
23 Bob Atkinson Barrow Central Wheelers 42.46
24 Andrew Kelly Limitless Triathlon Coaching 42.52
25 Mick Braithwaite Springfield Financial Racing Team 43.07
26 John Watkinson Richmond CC 43.14
27 Tamsin Vicary Barrow Central Wheelers 43.39
28 David Gibson Border City Whs CC 44.16
29 Nick Higginson Cleveleys Road Club 46.26
30 Rebecca Cleator Barrow Central Wheelers 48.02
31 Stephen Glenwright VTTA (Merseyside) 49.28
32 Deborah John The Racing Chance Foundation 52.16
33 Jonny Hill Barrow Central Wheelers 1.01.34