Ben Goodwin and Keri Parton proved quickest on time trial bikes at the penultimate round of the RTTC Classic Series in Cornwall on Sunday morning.
Riding for Fibrax Fenwicks Wrexham CC, Goodwin clocked 1-08-29 for the scenic 28-mile circuit to take the win by 2-18 from Liam Bard (GTR-Return to Life), while third went to James Grogan (Giant Helston), a further minute off the pace.
That means Goodwin has clinched the overall series with one round remaining, with 238 points from a possible 240 from his four counting events.
Parton (Team Bottrill) clocked 1-21-00 to finish as fastest female by almost four minutes from Eve Sealy, one of many riders from Tri Logic Cornwall to grace the startsheet.
Behind Sealy, third went to road bike competitor Zelah Morrall (Tri Logic Cornwall) who covered the 28 miles in 1-39-03.
Despite Goodwin having wrapped up the Series win, he still intends to ride the final round, the Circuit of Greystoke, in Cumbria in two weeks’ time.
“I’m targeting the National Circuit Championships, I want to keep my form going for that so I’ll be riding the final round,” he said.
“I’ve had a touch of man flu this week so I haven’t been out on the bike too much. I rode it to feel rather than power, and I didn’t know if my legs would fall from under me. But I was catching my minute men and felt good, so I’m pleased with my ride.”
The roads were a bit wet from overnight rain, but it was otherwise dry and sunny. However, blustery winds gave the riders something to contend with.
“It was a really fun course,” added Goodwin. “It’s fairly twisty and technical so you have to push on on the climbs and recover on the technical areas, but the headwind on the way back to the airport was tough.”
Goodwin has been in fine form so far this season, riding six events so far. He has finished on the podium in all six, and won four of them including rounds one and three of the RTTC Classic Series in Wiltshire and Worcestershire respectively. He was also victorious at the West Cheshire TTCA 10 earlier this month as well as today’s event.
Parton’s victory moves her up to the lead in the overall standings, but she must ride the final round in Cumbria next month to make it four qualifying events.
Other wins for the talented Team Bottrill rider include the Chester Road Club 10 in February, while she placed second in the opening round of the RTTC Classic Series in March as well as round three last month.
“It was a tough course with a good mix of climbing and descending, really testing the bike handling skills,” said Parton. “It was an early start which meant the roads were nice and quiet but slightly damp.
“I had a single 56t chainring which I immediately regretted up the climb! It was a nice excuse for a weekend away in Cornwall but shame the weather didn’t show up!
“Overall it was a brilliant course, a very well organised and marshalled event.”
In other categories the fastest veteran on age adjusted time was Mark Sanders (Mid-Devon CC) with +5.44 from an actual time of 1-18-20 which sees him go to the top of the overall standings.
Second was road bike rider Robin Delve, the Mid-Devon CC rider finishing with +4.35 and an actual time of 1-19-29.
On actual times, fastest veteran was City Cycle Couriers RT rider Jon Tune in 1-14-19, while Simon Smith (ZeroBC Race Team) boosted his overall standing with second place in 1-16-05, which moves him up to second overall in the series.
Top female veteran on actual time was Zelah Morrall (Tri Logic Cornwall) in 1-39-03.
Fastest junior was Thomas Tregear of Kernow Racing Team in 1-16-18, while brother James Tregear was second with 1-36-53 and fastest youth girl was Holly Tregear of the same club in 1-53-10.
The event used the S53/29 course which starts near Sennen and heads up the A30 towards Penzance before looping back round westwards to St Just and back down. After a second circuit, they finish near Land’s End Airport.
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