The latest new entry on the open event calendar this year was the Thanet RC Open 10TT on the Q10/30 course. This being only the second time this year that the course has been used and hopefully not the last as the potential quick times and thankfully dry weather boosted the start field to exactly 100 entrants, 31 of which were wearing the yellow of Thanet RC.
A chilly start of around 12 degrees later warmed slightly and not a drop of rain meant pretty much ideal conditions for 83 riders who took to the start line being led away by Andy McCall one of his ever expanding set of three wheeled contraptions! Conditions were deceptively tougher than expected with a South Easterly breeze making the outward leg a little harder going than hoped, but of course making the return more “enjoyable”.
Quickest on the day was Thanet RC’s own Chris Fennell clocking 19:30 with brother Nic making it a one-two in 20:25. Third place went to Dean Chiddention from a very well represented Abelio SFA – Racing Team, who had 9 starters, in 20:53 just pipping Dan Martin, University of Bath Cycling Club in 20:56.
Thanet’s own Nicola Goodban took the Women’s prize in 24:00 with Charmaine Pullen of Adalta CC second in 24:35 and Barbara Wiles of San Fairy Ann CC third in 26:12.
Cameron Kemp of Quick Release CC took the Junior prize in 23:46 having ridden from Sittingbourne with team mates to enter as well as riding half way home with his number before returning to the HQ to return it. Lance Childs of Thanet RC was second in 24:00 and George Bussey also Thanet RC third in 25:41
Thanet RC not surprisingly took the team prize with Mike Kirkness joining brothers Chris and Nic in a combined time of 1:01:21, with Abelio SFA Racing Team second with a total 1:03:10.
Shay Giles, PMR @ Toachim House rode a very impressive 23:58 for first place on standard time (+5:28), second was John Osborn, Folkstone VC in 21:02 (+5:25) and third Gary Grayland, CC Bexley in 21:31 (+5:23)
Thanks go to the many helpers and marshals, Terry Fearn, Rick Perkins, Dave Mastin, Teresa Childs, Mick Bussey, Mark Huckstep, Brett Dennis, Tony Keneally, Richard Hull, Pete Sawyer, Martin Russell, Simon Charles, Reg Steel, Gary Pullen, Sarah Friend, Rebecca Friend and Alex Turner. Hopefully I have not missed anyone from the small army of people who made the event go like clockwork.
Full results attached.
Report by Michael Friend
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