REPORT: VTTA National 50 Championship

Deb Hutson-Lumb and Cris Coxon were quickest at this year’s VTTA National 50-Mile Championship – winning both on actual time and age-adjusted time.
This year’s championship was organised by the Surrey/Sussex group to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Sussex Cyclist’ Association.
The course was the G50/10, described on the CTT website as ‘rolling’, which somewhat understated the 1775 feet of ascent most of which came in the second half. After some heavy overnight rain, the morning was dry and bright but chilly for a 6.30am start. 
In the Open event, Surrey/Sussex swept the medals thanks to the formidable trio of Cris Coxon and the McNamara twins Chris and Simon, who took the Individual medals and the VTTA Group team medals for Surrey/Sussex – not often that the top three in a championship all ride for the same Group.
Coxon’s time of 1:44:02 (1:41:37 on AAT) was outstanding for the course and Chris and Simon were not far behind with AATs of 1:42:26 and 1:43:27.
While AATs often produce a spread of ages in medal winners this was a championship where the top 3 open riders were aged 48,50 and 50.
“I was really pleased to get the win and take a national veterans title,” said Coxon. “It’s a course I enjoy, quite challenging with a mixture of roads and some hilly sections and I’d wanted to do well with a big event being local to me.
“I finished feeling strong and happy with my ride, but I hadn’t expected to win so it was really nice to come home with a national jersey, and take the Group Team category with the McNamara bros Chris and Simon.”
Keith Dorling missed out on a medal by just 28 seconds and competition behind was tight with positions 5th to 11th separated by less than 4 minutes. Legato Racing Team placed 3 riders in the top dozen, Steve Loraine, Simon Horsley and Mark Hamer, and took the Club Team medals for the second time this season. 
In the women’s event there were only two finishers but Deb Hutson-Lumb (Merseyside) was a worthy winner with a time of 2:11:15 and an AAT of 1:51:21, adding the 50 title to her 10 mile championship win earlier in the season. Claire Hall (East Anglian) took the silver medal.
“I started well,” explained Hutson-Lumb. “I was feeling strong but got a bit carried away considering the tougher climbs come in the second half of the course.
“Consequently I had a really tough last 10 miles, struggling to keep power, with two stops to sort out a dropped, jammed chain.
“But I’m pleased to take the women's win and also to see Legato RT take the team win. An excellent event.”
Our thanks to Robin Johnson, the Surrey/Sussex Group Chairman and Secretary, for his organisation of the event, supported by Bob Giles on results, and an army of marshals to cover all the roundabouts on the course, plus all the other helpers.
Robin, in appreciation of the various award winners and helpers, distributed the largest selection of wine bottles I have ever seen at a championship!
He also made a strong plea for riders to have lights which actually make them visible to drivers rather than some of the minimalist options which may meet the letter but not the spirit of the regulation. A point well worth noting.
* Report by Andrew Simpkins, VTTA National Chairman.
* Event photography by Dave Hayward.

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