On and off-road racing for Ely cyclists in a mixture of time trial racing and mountain biking

Darran Bennett racing in the VTTA 10 mile event on Saturday. Photo: Davey Jones. (Image: 2018 Davey Jones)

Last Saturday four riders competed in the VTTA race on the E2/10 course near Newmarket.

The fastest Ely & District CC - B&T Motor Repair rider was again Darran Bennett, who finished in 8th place overall out of 103 riders in a time of 20 minutes and one second over the 10 mile course, just short of a 30mph average speed.

The next fastest Ely rider was Derek Ricketts in a time of 21:46, a new course personal best for Ricketts.

Steve Peck and Will Shepherd finished in times of 22:10 and 22:40 respectively.

Steve Peck racing in the VTTA 10 mile event on Saturday. Photo: Davey Jones. (Image: 2018 Davey Jones)

On Sunday, John Manlow raced in the CC Breckland 50 mile race on the B50/20 course, an event which nearly had to be cancelled due to a car driver overturning their vehicle on the course.

Happily the police cleared the vehicular debris quickly, and the race could go ahead with only a 30 minute delay.

Despite the delayed start, Manlow still managed to complete the 50 mile course in under two hours in a time of 1:57:41.

Sunday also saw Ely & District CC - B&T Motor Repair members Mathew Eley and Mikie Burrell racing in the Mud Sweat and Gears Central race at Rushmere near Leighton Buzzard.

Will Shepherd racing in the VTTA 10 mile event on Saturday. Photo: Davey Jones. (Image: 2018 Davey Jones)

Both were competing in the In the men’s sport category and Eley finished in 5th place on eight, completing eight laps in 1:26:54 while Burrell finished in 11th place, completing six laps in 1:20:57.

Junior member Ollie Sinden was racing off road on Sunday, taking part in the MIH Downhill mountain bike race at the Forest of Dean.

In his first race since breaking his wrist in June this year, Sinden completed the day’s racing in 19th place in the Under 12 category after his two runs.