Veterans Time Trials Association

Competitive Cycling for Life

Sarah Matthews and Chris Lord led the way at the Southern Closed Circuit Championships, which went ahead in warm temperatures having been postponed from the original date due to the extreme heat.
The Goodwood circuit proved a great venue once again, and David Collard-Berry and his team proved once again to be expert organisers at a popular event which saw over one hundred veterans from across the country take part.
Awards were presented to the first three open and female riders in both time trial and road bike categories.
In the open category Chris Lord took the win for the third year running with an age-adjusted time (AAT) of 17:45. Mike Lythgoe, in his first visit to the circuit, was second in 18:58 and Paul Thatcher third in 19:09.
“The first lap felt good,” said Lord. “The north easterly wind down Lavant straight wasn’t as bad as I’d expected and I thought I’d paced it ok (it turned out to be my fastest lap!).
“By the end of lap two I knew I was on for a sub 22, but I always seem to have difficulty with lap three, just staying on the power and keeping concentration, so the last lap really needed to be full beans. I ended up with 21:50, which is my best time at Goodwood.”
In the female time trial bike category Sarah Matthews also made it three wins in a row with an AAT of 19:01. Debbie Sheridan was second in 20:20 and Verity-Jane Lacey third in 22:02.
Sarah had ridden the National 100 three days before but as the previous winner for two years she felt honour-bound to get back on the saddle.
“I’m amazed and thrilled at what I managed to achieve,” said Matthews. ““There was a bit of wind from the north east which a couple of the fast guys assured me would make it fast as only a very short section would be into a head wind.
“The first lap was uncomfortable and I shifted about like a trike rider then at the start of the second lap the switch clicked on and I started to enjoy riding.
“I took it steadily, gradually built my average speed and crossed the line four seconds slower that the time I was aiming for.”
The open road bike category saw a win for Robin Kirk with an AAT of 20:34 followed by Kevin Plummer (21:08) and Nike Allen (21:16). The female road bike medals went to Denise Stuart (21:38), Wendy Mathie (22:33) and Deborah Smith (22:57).
In addition to the VTTA awards there was the customary presentation of mugs to the winners in five-year age bands from 40 upward.