Over 70 riders signed up to compete for the 2nd time on the Colemans 10-mile course in the final round of the Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT Evening TT Series on Thursday 17th August.
A strong easterly wind hampered the chances of the course record being broken, but there were some fast times and personal bests set on the night. Although most of the category standings had been decided in the previous rounds, there were still a few podium places up for grabs on the night and the racing didn’t disappoint.
Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Racing Team rider Kev Chant – fresh back from winning Gold in the Individual TT at the Island Games – took the Overall Series title, powering home in a time of 20.13 to take his 5th Series win. Teammate James Veal and Chris Till (NAUT Cycling) finished in joint 2nd place on the night in a time of 22.18, which secured them the Vet40+ and Non-WLWM category top spots respectively.
Martin Piper (NAUT Cycling) – having already secured 2nd place in the Series Non-WLWM category – put in another solid performance, finishing in a time of 23.33, which was enough to make him the Series top Vet50+ rider. In the Vet 60+ category, Steve Taylor retained his 2022 title by being unbeaten this season, coming home in a respectable time of 25.29, and Dominique Munday took another well-earned win in a time of 27.11, despite a mechanical before the race, to make her the Overall champion.
Ewan Cook dominated the Junior category, pulling out faster times each round to take his 2nd Series title, finishing 5th overall on the night by crossing the finish line in 23.27. Phoebe Heng (IOW Triathlon Club) was the fastest of the upcoming Junior Girls, pulling out another great ride to takie the win in 32.30 and her first Overall Series title.
The final standings were as follows:
Overall
1st Kev Chant (WLWM CRT)
2nd James Veal (WLWM CRT)
3rd Simon Ambrosini (WLWM CRT)
Non-WLWM
1st Chris Till (NAUT Cycling)
2nd Martin Piper (NAUT Cycling)
3rd Michael Hoare (NAUT/Reflex)
Vet 40+
1st James Veal (WLWM CRT)
2nd James Pett (WLWM CRT)
3rd Paul Forster (NAUT Cycling)
Vet 50+
1st Martin Piper (NAUT Cycling)
2nd Simon Ambrosini (WLWM CRT)
3rd Paul Martin (NAUT Cycling)
Vet 60+
1st Steve Taylor (NAUT Cycling)
2nd Graham Orchard (NAUT Cycling)
3rd Nigel Elton-Walters (Independent)
Women
1st Dominique Munday (NAUT Cycling)
2nd Millie Williams (Vectis Academy)
3rd Charis Jones (Wight Tri)
Junior Boys
1st Ewan Cook (WLWM CRT)
2nd Billy Williams (NAUT Cycling)
3rd Hugh Williams (NAUT Cycling)
Junior Girls
1st Phoebe Heng (IOW Triathlon Club)
2nd Katie Bunn (IOW Triathlon Club)
3rd Annabelle Steward (IOW Triathlon Club)
Organisers Jerry and Julie Cooper said:
“We’re now in our 5th year of organising the cycling events and the Evening TT Series is still proving to be really popular with the Island’s cycling community. It’s fantastic to see so many cyclists and triathletes, ranging in age from the 12 yr old Juniors to the Vet 60+ riders, signing up for the events and there is always such a great atmosphere at the races which makes it all worthwhile.
“The team are fortunate to have such great sponsors in Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries, Island Renewables Ltd, Kreative Studios, West Wight Alpacas, Porchfield Cricket Club and Chessell Pottery who have supported the Series by providing prizes, trophies and venues for the HQ and we really couldn’t hold the events without the support of the volunteers who give up their time to help out on the night.
“Over £200 was also raised on the night for our charity partner Mountbatten through donations and the sale of raffle tickets for our Grand Draw to be held on Sunday, 10th September and we’re now well on our way to hitting our target of £2,500 this year, which is brilliant.
“We’re now looking forward to the Open Time Trial on the new Military Road course next month and the Hill Climbs Championships to end another successful season.”
Will cyclists stop cycling side by side p*ssing off motorists.
Think motor vehicle.
This was a time trial where a single rider rides on their own, on the left-hand side of the road without a group. You just saw cycling and posted another cliche anti-cycling sentiment. Why not read the article, then engage?
Horrible Nasty Cyclists, clogging up the road, should buy a big diesel BMW 4×4, and damn pedestrians clogging up the pavement, get out of my way!!!
I was driving along Sandown High Street a couple of days ago and
2 Numpty’s on bicycles were cycling towards me, they were cycling
down the wrong side of the Road.
There is no Law and Order when it comes to cyclists.
Cyclists cycle along Sandown Esplanade the wrong way and
they cycle round Ryde Boating Lake the wrong way.
Most cyclists are selfish B’stards.
All cyclists should have a number plate, Insurance and pay to be on
Roads just like us motorists.
Many cyclists in Lycra cycle 40mph + along many Roads, they are
Lawless and wreckless.
Passed a cyclist in Ventnor today he was driving up the Hill by the
Spyglass and La Falais Car Park cutting inbetween vehicles on the Hill.