Wilcox clocks 221 miles in 12-hour cycling event (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Wilcox clocks 221 miles in 12-hour cycling event

SOARING temperatures and a technically challenging course made last Sunday's locally held National 12-hour Time Trial Championships exceptionally tough on competitors.

But Corinium Cycling Club member Andrew Wilcox almost missed the event - due to troubles with his alarm-clock!

"For the first two hours, I was so charged up with adrenaline I just raced round the course to make up for lost time," Andrew said. "But in the end, sense prevailed and I settled down to some steady riding."

Managing a respectable 221.5 miles by not stopping at all during his long period in the saddle, Andrew was impressed with the organisation and marshalling.

Not such good news for the newly-crowned 24-tour time trial champion, Gethin Butler, of Preston Wheelers, who had to abandon at the quarter-distance mark, as did Andy Cook (VC St Raphael) who struggled with the effects of an illness.

But there were others who relished the heat, like winner Zak Carr (apibikes.com) who posted a distance of 281.5 miles, a phenomenal achievement given the tough conditions.

The battle for second and third places between Rowan Horner (VC St Raphael) and Paul Holdsworth (Hounslow & Dis-trict Wheelers) was a close one.

But Horner came out on top, completing 267.61 miles to Holds-worth's 265.07.