TRC at the RTTC National Closed Circuit Championships
The final RTTC Championships Time Trial event of the season concludes for the 3rd time at Thruxton Motor Racing Circuit for the Closed Circuit Championship. Hosted by Antelope RT. With over 300 riders on the start sheet, including 73 juniors, 39 women and 201 men. This event also uses transponders for timing.
The course is held on the Thruxton Motor Racing Circuit, all riders complete 5 laps of the circuit which totals 11.5 miles of racing. Being a motor racing circuit, it’s closed off from all traffic and is wide sweeping road with only two chicanes which don’t pose much challenge on a bike, and a rise on the end section of the lap which drags during the race. The circuit feels similar to Betshanger Country Park track, except with a more elevation gain.
The weather conditions were wet to start, with heavy rain for the juniors but cleared for the women and men. As the rain cleared a stiff western wind picked up which caused a head wind up the back straight and the hill.
Thanet Road Club had two riders at this event; Chris and Nic Fennell, both finishing their time trial season with this final event.
Chris was the last rider off. Finished a bit disappointed with the ride saying he was feeling tired from the long season of 51 time trials and now looking forward to a rest. However finished with a good time of 23:49 which puts him 5th*.
Nic had a good ride taking a chunk off his course PB, even with feeling increasing wind as the ride went on. Happy with the ride after good season with multiple new PBs, but also now ready for a rest after 51 time trials. Finishing with a time of 26:48 placing 66th*, his best position in a National Championship event this season.
Final results of Thanet Riders was:
Chris Fennell – 23:49 – 5th*
Nic Fennell – 26:48 – 66th*The winner of the event was Josh Teasdale (Pro Race Cycling Team) with a time of 23:03*
2nd – Matthew Smith (Team Bottrill) – 23:09*
3rd – John Dewey (Team Bottrill) – 23:18*Other local riders included:
Kevin Tye (VeloRefined Aerosmiths)- 24:24 – 15th*
Emma Lewis (Adalta cc) – 26:08 – 1st Women*. An excellent ride by Emma to top the Women’s event. Big congratulations!*All results are awaiting confirmation.
Report by Nic Fennell
