Veterans Bennett and Ridge charge to victories at Stowmarket 20
Darran Bennett (Ely & District CC/B&T Motor Repairs) was the only rider to break the 26-minute mark on his way to winning the Stowmarket & District CC 20, while Becky Ridge (TPH Racing) was a clear victor in the women’s event.
Bennett, aged 51, came out on top after a close battle which saw four riders separated by just over a minute.
On his first outing of the season Bennett, from Ely, set a winning time of 45 minutes and 55 seconds finishing 31 seconds clear of his nearest challenger.
The BS33 saw riders start near Winston and complete a 20-mile loop around the Suffolk countryside going up to Debenham and then down to Pettaugh before joining the A1120.
Competitors then headed back north up to Occold before the final leg on the B1077 to the finish at Debenham.
Bennett also won the CC Breckland 30 last season and took victory on his first ride of the season this time out.
Fellow veteran Glenn Taylor (Shorter Rochford RT) led the battle for second recording an average speed of over 25.8 miles per hour on his way to clocking 46-26.
The fight for third could not have been closer with Dave Clark (Orwell Velo) finishing in 46-54 which was just two seconds quicker than Ian Short (Team Salesengine.co.uk).
Spindata had predicted a victory for Bennett but his time was slower than the 44-23 predicted.
In the women’s event veteran rider Ridge clocked a winning time of 49 minutes dead over four and a half minutes clear than her nearest rival.
Leading the battle behind Sophie Lee (Team Catenary) finished second in 53-34 while Ann Shuttleworth (Cambridge CC) finished third (58-01).
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