Andy Robb decimated the field yesterday in a 20km individual time trial event on Dangarsleigh. Conditions were not conducive to fast times but that didn’t seem to bother him in the slightest, powering home through 40kph crosswinds on the out-and-back course in temperatures that struggled to 6°C. In spite of the weather, there was a surprisingly good turn-out with 20 riders braving the elements with a notable increase in more specialist equipment.
Having set up the course, Wilf press ganged Swanny and Col into assisting him with marshaling duties, enabling extra time checks at 5, 10 and 15km which provide some interesting insights (below). Derek Shirlaw continues to enjoy his road riding and was given some expert advice from Wilf on the start line after declaring he had no idea how to ride a TT. “Just go as fast you can to the turn, turn around and ride as fast as you can back. Oh, and don’t ride behind anyone, unless it’s Kirky”.
Mick and Holly Harris were short on time so set off earlier than normal. Mick was charging along and had already passed 3 riders by the 5km mark. Not surprisingly he recorded fastest time (9m19s) at the 5Km check under the powerlines at the top of Knobs Hill. Phil Thomas didn’t even make it to this point having punctured at 4Km and cut a forlorn figure at the side of the road as the following riders grunted on their way up the hill.
Josh Denham had clearly made an impression on race officials finding himself at the back of the field, 30s behind Inverell’s Brent Rees. Josh had already ducked home on the warm-up lap to go and get some more winter gear and was now being pursued by the fashion police as well as the Wiggles recruitment team.
The cold was also obviously getting to the officials as for some strange reason they started Kirky near the back, implying ability way beyond even his own over-inflated opinion. The same officials did redeem themselves by constantly referring to Carl Hooton as Hooper throughout, so finally we have a nickname for Carl.
Back to the racing, Andy Robb had settled onto his TT bars and now had a 29s advantage over second-placed Mick as he navigated the turn. The first two spots were seemingly in the bag but the battle for third place was well and truly on, with three riders within 4s of each other at the turn. Brent Rees hit the gas at this point, carving out a 5s lead over the Wiggle wannabe and holding third place with 5km to go, but he then tired on the final leg, ultimately tying for fourth.
Spartacus did well to finish in sixth place, the same result he’s had in every single ITT he’s done (yep, all three of them). Kirky managed to scrape home in seventh place, one of his better efforts, just 19s ahead of one-armed bandit Johnny who hasn’t raced for about 3 years and has more broken bones than Kirky’s had beers at the Bowlo.
Congratulations to Andy Robb, clear winner in the Specialist equipment category and overall fastest rider. Congratulations also to Mick Harris who comfortably took the Conventional equipment category win on a day when being upright proved challenging. Well done to all riders, including Hooper and Wiggle and a special thanks also to Wilf for a well-organised event, ably assisted by Col and Swanny. Next week we stay on Dangarsleigh for round 15 of the 2017 RROTY competition, hopefully in slightly better conditions.
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