Lowden and George draw first blood in Merlin Cycles TT Series
Despite heavy rain, Will Lowden and Jennifer George both broke course records on their way to victory at the opening round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Time Trial Series in West Sussex on Sunday morning.
Lowden, the 19-year-old HUUB WattShop rider from Bury St Edmunds, clocked 50-04 to slice more than two minutes from the old course record for the P877 near Midhurst. That gave him the win in the time trial category by 4-49 from Joe Parker (RC Ravenna, with Pat Wright (Paceline RT) third, another 2-26 back.
And George, the 39-year-old Scot who lives in London and also rides for HUUB WattShop, covered the course in 57-59 to take 2-28 from the old women’s course record and finish 11-34 ahead of runner-up Naomi Shinkins (Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers) with Kirsty McSeveney (a3crg) third, just 26 seconds further off the pace.
“It was raining all the time, with no let-up,” said Lowden. “I felt really good, maybe I could’ve gone harder because I really enjoyed it, which isn’t perhaps what you want to feel!
“My cousin Jamie Lowden did the Series last year and told me how good it was. I quite liked the look of it because I don’t go well on flat dual carriageways being so light. I’m looking forwards to riding at least four of the events to qualify for the overall, next up is Buxton at Easter.”
And Jennifer George said: “I didn’t really have a time in mind as the weather was not in our favour at all! It was one of those days where I just wanted to get round and stay on my bike.
“This series is a big part of my season this year because I can’t make some of the national championships. I should be able to make four of the six rounds including the circuit championships which is a favourite of mine. I’ll miss Buxton next week, but will do the Worcester and Edinburgh events.”
In other categories it proved a good day for the McNamara brothers, both riding for Sigma Sports-Cannondale RT. Chris McNamara was fastest veteran on actual time with 51-25, beating Richard Sharp (ADDFORM Vive Le Velo) by 59 seconds.
In the road bike event Simon McNamara was victorious, his time of 55-23 giving him the win while second fastest was Chris Booth (Giant Kendal Sidas.uk) with 56-25.
Top junior on a road bike was Jack Sutton (Stonham Barns Park) with 1-02-42, with Poole Wheelers’ Louisa Cooper being best female on a road bike with 1-08-34.
Back on time trial machines, Abbey Thompson (Stonham Barns Park) was best junior with 1-15-37, while Rik Waddon (Para-T) won the paracyclists category with 1-10-08.
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.