REPORT: VTTA National 15-Mile Championship

The National 15-mile event returned to the Manchester area once again. And once again it was affected by road works. Nothing minor up North, the event was shortened to 13.6 miles. Fortunately, David Clayton, results person, and Andrew Simpkins were able to draw up an AAT to match the distance.
The event itself was run off in muggy conditions and the threat of rain for the afternoon never materialised.
In the female category the predicted battle between Jen Clegg, Deb Hutson-Lumb, Legato RT, Debbie Moss, Springfield Financial RT, was just that. Deb and Debbie were separated by one second on actual time, the latter recording 31:28 to Deb’s 31:29. In third place on actual time 33:29, was Congleton rider Gail Lowe continuing her good form this season.
However, achieving her second podium of the season was Jen Clegg, Team Bottrill, who led the way on AAT from Deb in second and Debbie, third.
In a move away from the usual post race presentation, the female awards were presented while the open event continued to enable Jen to travel onto Leicester to join up with her choir. She did threaten to wear her jersey on stage!
As in the female event, there was an expected close race between Richard Oakes and Dave Williams Velotik RT but with an unexpected result. Dave ended up fastest on Actual Time with 27:20 from Mick Twelves Team Ohten Aveas, on 28:01 with Lancashire RC rider Tony Greenhalgh in third with 28:32.
As a result of DQs, Mick Twelves was presented with the overall open jersey with an AAT of 25:27. Chris Lord (Brighton Excelsior) was in second with 26:02 and with 26.21, Eddie Humphreys (Nottingham Clarion CC) was third.
Best on AAT for the day was Jen Clegg, well done.
Despite lots of publicity there were few road bikes on the start sheet with only three finishing. Tim Marshall and Daniel Chesters providing close competition. Tim winning with 33:26 to Daniel’s 33:40.
In the Group competition there were six teams, East Midlands, represented by Jen Clegg, Mike Twelves and Eddie Humphrey’s, coming out on top with a combined time of 1:17:05. North Lancs & Lakes, Simon Horsley, Debbie Moss, and Jason Bateman, took silver by one second from the Midlands team of Michael Lythgoe, Ed moss and Steve Loraine.
The club award went to Legato Racing Team, not for the first time this season, with Deb Hutson-Lumb, Michael Lythgoe and Simon Horsely, with a combined AAT of 1:19:35. Velotik RT were second, David Williams, Sally Cunliffe and Jarod Garrington.
Springfield Financial took third place, Debbie Moss, Matt Stell and Paul Russell.
Away from the racing and the issues that come with DQs, the refreshments and their presentation garnered many plaudits. Thanks must go to Robbie Harcourt who never flagged once with all the problems he had to deal with. Gratitude to the marshals and backup team who all made for a highly successful day of competition.
All proceeds from the event are to be presented to Martin Harney’s family. Martin suffered severe injuries in February when a car was travelling the wrong way round an island crashed into him.
He is awaiting transfer to a rehabilitation unit, and we all hope the progress he has made so far will continue.
* This report by VTTA National Committee President Anthony Farrell.
* Photographs from Kimroy Photography.