HUUB WattShop men and Team Bottrill’s women both suffered mechanical issues but still managed to take victory at the National Team Time Trial Championships in Gloucestershire on Sunday morning.
Junior Joshua Jackson dropped his chain twice which hindered HUUB WattShop’s chances, while Team Bottrill’s Alex Clay also unshipped her chain after just a few miles.
And defending men’s team Team Bottrill also had bad luck, with Axel Dopfer’s handlebar extension coming loose, eventually forcing him to drop out.
Team-mates Jake Sargent and Rob Francis ploughed on to post the fastest time of the day with 48-49, but without a third rider it didn’t count.
The event was hosted by Gloucester City CC and used the U72 course from Maisemore to Ledbury and back to the north of the city.
It was a fine day for a great event with drama but good dry conditions, with only a slight breeze.
Joshua Jackson was joined in the winning team by HUUB WattShop regulars Simon Wilson and John Archibald in posting a time of 49-46, just seven seconds better than runners-up ADDFORM-Vive le Velo (Jozsef Owen, David Brearley and Adam Duggleby) while the University of Bath trio of Harry Codd, Dylan Griffiths and Renzo Casale took third.
Team Bottrill’s women successfully defended their title with a time of 56-40, over three minutes clear of runners-up FTP Race Team with Josie Harcourt, Floren Scrafton and Laura Pittard, while Tactic UK WRT were third.
“It was very close in the end, as we had quite a few problems,” said John Archibald. “The three of us hadn’t ridden together before and with Josh being quite young, we didn’t know how we would get on.
“He lost his chain in the first five minutes, and also had some gear problems but once he was back on his way we got into a good rhythm and pulled it back.
“But he also lost his chain at the turn so we weren’t at all confident that we would be able to pull back enough time to take the win.
“I haven’t ridden the course before, but it wasn’t your typical dragstrip. It was quite lumpy and challenging. But it was dry and still with only a little bit of wind.”
And Emily Martin – who had won the Cambridge CC Viking 50 the previous day, said: “It was a challenging course, really rolling. We all drove round the course together this morning and I warned the girls that the hills would kill me!
“Alex’s chain came off a few miles in, but she got it back on fairly quickly and was able to catch back up.
“We rode really well together and communicated all the way around. Kate is really strong on the climbs whereas I struggle, so she held off a bit to help me there.
“It’s great to have a good team win because we’re usually trying to beat each other!”
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.