On Wednesday 10th July, Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team member James Ebdon travelled to Liss in Hampshire to compete in an A3CRG summer time trial.
The course was ten miles long and on the A3, a fast and flat course that would suit Ebdon’s riding style. After starting on a slip road, the course headed east towards London, then after five miles the riders took a left turn over a flyover and headed back towards the start.
Smashed his personal best
Ebdon started at number 31 and soon got up to speed, overtaking slower riders after just a few minutes of racing. With the return leg being downwind there were some fast times to be had. Ebdon crossed the line and set a time of 21:43 for the ten mile course.
This smashed 54 seconds off his previous personal best for this distance, and gave him third place out of the 47 starters.
Sunday at Bletchingly
On Sunday 14th July, Sam Baker and Tim Wiggins also of the Wightlink-LCM Systems Cycle Race Team travelled to Bletchingly in Surrey for the team’s second Surrey League Road Race of the season.
With blistering temperatures, and a course that had some vicious inclines and rough roads, it was a hard day out for both riders.
Potholes cause punctures
In the second lap of the six lap (60 mile) course, Baker was amongst several riders that fell victim to punctures on the pothole strewn course; his race was unfortunately cut short after a long wait for the neutral service car.
Wiggins was left as the only team member in a race containing several large mainland teams; chasing down every breakaway attempt he could for the first four laps of the race, he was caught off-guard and without sufficient energy to get across to the one breakaway that was eventually a success.
A tough competition
Working hard on the front with only a very select few other riders Wiggins helped to keep the rest of the pack intact and together, and pushed hard for seventh in the bunch sprint behind the three man breakaway.
The tenth place finish gives Wiggins more points on his racing licence, and was a satisfying result given the tough nature of the course and competition.
