Boxing Day TT Results

Wed, 2 January 2008

Sixteen year old Jake Durrant put his older and more experienced Mid-Devon Cycling Club/Colin Lewis Cycles team mates in their place when he won the club's annual Boxing Day Time Trial.

This year the race took place around 2 laps of a 3.75 mile circuit of Sandygate, John Acre Lane, the Clay Pits Road and New Cross. The rain on Christmas Eve and into Christmas day had washed much of the mud from the roads but caution was still needed on the corners. Despite this the South Dartmoor College student sped around in 18 mins 47 seconds - a time if extrapolated to 10 miles would have been just over 25 minutes. Pretty impressive for this time of year with the cool temperatures and when his personal best is only just a touch faster.

Runner up to Jake was Mark Holton, Pro Bike UK, who was a Mid-Devon CC member some six or more years ago before he left to settle in Lancashire. Christmas family visits brought him back to the area and he took advantage of the race to renew aquantances. Holton is one of cycling elites who has beaten 30 m.p.h for 10 miles but on this ocassion he had to yield to Durrant by 7 seconds.

Two other riders beat 20 minutes. Club President, Colin Lewis, put a pre-race puncture out of his mind to record 19 minutes 19 seconds showing that he still has that competitive edge. He beat a rider who has been keeping a low profile for the last few seasons but is intent on making his mark in 2008, Matt Stancombe, by 17 seconds.

Mike Parker rode up the 25 plus miles from his Plympton home and was fifth in 20 mutes 19 seconds and 11 seconds quicker than Adam Beams. John Phillips, riding in only his second ever time trial clocked 21 minutes 8 seconds with Stephen Dart some 12 seconds slower - Dart has had a busy break as he drove to Uttoxeter and back before Christmas and then checked over the course for the National 24 Hour Championship so he is well attuned for his bid day in late July 2008.

Chris Ash won the battle of the 60 plus with his time of 21 minutes 27 seconds comfortably beating Ken Robertson by 1 minute 49 seconds with Bob Gregg finishing in 25 mins 59 seconds.

Unluckiest rider of the day was Kenny Parker as he punctured his rear tyre on the first lap. Undeterred he changed the tube and completed the course in 28 minutes 35 seconds.