RNRMCA National Team Time Trial Championships 01 July 2007

           2007 started on a high for Time Trial in the RNRMCA many suspected the momentum may slow down but they were proved wrong. To get 12 athletes to travel great distance on a pretty dank weekend is testament to the level of commitment the squad are displaying this year.  Furthermore to be able to field a ladies team to take on the best in the country was again an indication of the popularity of this sport. 

       After a week of floods, car bombs in London and Glasgow and a sleepless night sharing the Brecon AT centre with some drunken hikers surely nothing else could go wrong? The teams were prepped and ready to go!

    With an 0803 start the ladies were first off. Preps complete they made their way to the start. Only for Mhairi to suffer damage to her front wheel resulting in a split to the carbon rim which they thought may preclude their race. However, thanks to a marshal willing to lend her a spare wheel they were off. With 2 teams from GB Cycling including World Champion track stars the competition was always going to be tense. Not to be put off though they stuck to their guns and rode flat out through the atrocious weather.

    Having planned ahead the ladies had raced together previously although this was on a shorter 10 mile course and was "considerably different" on the longer distance. The girls worked well as a team benefiting from the drafting effect.

 Following the dual carriageway stretch (pictured) the course took a left onto a B road and here the team nearly saw disaster no 2 as a "piece of tree branch" (ladies description for a twig) dislodged in the high winds was thrown from Lucy's wheel and wedged itself into Rachel's front hub. Luckily for all 3 this didn't Knock Rachel off and they were able to continue on to finish the race, however the time lost freeing the wheel was difficult to regain.

    The Ladies finished in 1:11:42 Well Done Girls Navy Cyclists one and all.

The first of the 3 mens teams to depart was off in pursuit of one of 2 RAF teams in the competition. Consisting of riders from pretty much all over the RNRMCA "estate" (Northwood, Plymouth & Bristol) the trio hastily contrived a strategy and set off to the start. Again here the services of the start marshal were called into play as Mark G sufferred a rear puncture on the line without time to repair. Thankfully the guy still had a rear wheel left having already given Mhairi his front and they were off.

    By now the weather had deteriorated even further and the wind and rain proved challenging to say the least. The teams spirits were lifted momentarily when an RAF rider came into view however the guy had punctured and was making his way dejectedly off the dual carriageway for an early bath.

The Guys came home in 26th place in a time of 59:41 a gutsy effort.

The next team off consisted of a Bootneck a WOO and a Diver so who knows what could happen........As it happens their ride was problem free and with Satch barking orders and a fluid changeover technique the guys rode in with an impressive 57:35 that an average speed of 26.04MPH well done fella's

Andy P Leading the Way as Satch comes through for a turn at the front and Nutty shelters in preparation for his next effort.

The last team to depart had been quietly pacing the car park waiting to get cracking and as the previous 2 mens teams returned were just setting off to the start. No technical problems the guys had a last team talk Sean set out the starting order indicating he would lead out with Steve between him and Stan. The tactic worked well till the first roundabout when Sean's Welsh compass kicked in and he shot straight ahead in the direction of the HQ luckily Stan's adrenalin hadn't clouded his vision and he pulled the trio back on track (and down the slip road) onto the course. Sean complained afterwards of feeling tired and commented on Stans power on the flat with Steve K euphoric having enjoyed the ride immensely and worked his socks off to boot.

With a finishing time of 54:20 average speed 27.6MPH the guys finished equal 10th what a ride guys well done all.

The race was won by a team representing Plowmen Craven Evans Cycles a pro team finishing in 49:55 average speed 30.05MPH!!

Doc Hutch's team were second with a time of 50:42

Of the 2 RAF teams entered only 1 finished due to the puncture. They finished in a time of 56:46 giving them a position of 18th place well done guys a great ride....

For full placing details follow this LINK

All the photos from today can be found here.