Lechlade veteran cyclist Marchant wins time trial series (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Lechlade veteran cyclist Marchant wins time trial series

SWINDON Road Club veteran cyclist Steve Marchant took first place overall in the Rudy Project time trial series.

In fact, his ride in the last round of the national series in Staffordshire was merely a formality as he had already amassed enough points to win the title overall with good results in the previous rounds.

And 40-year-old Marchant stamped his authority on the series by winning the final round over two laps of a hard and technical course on an 11-mile hilly circuit in the Peak District.

He finished in a time of 58min 42secs and was only ten seconds ahead of the second-placed rider.

The undulating circuit suited Marchant who excels in hilly events.

As it is, he cycles every day to work from his home in Lechlade to Cheney Manor in Swindon as the base for his training during the week.

Meanwhile, the Swindon club's Junior MTB Downhill racers, Rob and Kirsty Price, both competed at the National Points series at Innerleithen in Scotland.

Eighteen-year-old Rob posted a time of 5.11 for the 1.8 kilometre course on his first run, despite being caught behind a few riders who had crashes or had suffered mechanical problems.

Kirsty, 16, had a flyer on her first run and caught some of the riders who had started ahead.

Posting a time of 5.04 put her first on the leader board until senior rider Caroline Mackinlay came in with a time of 5.00 for first place.

On the second run, Rob found one loose rock too many in the Quarry section that sent him over the bars and into a tree, resulting in a trip to hospital for a check over following a heavy crash.

Although Kirsty's second run was not so fast, it was still good enough for second place overall in the women's competition.

The fearless teenager, from Covingham, soon starts a sports science course at Swindon College and a winter of strength and endurance training from the club coach shall see more success next year.

Following on his recent success, Steve Marchant took the win in the Severn RC 28-mile time trial on roads around Marshfield, Castle Combe and Tormarton to make it five wins from seven in this season's WTTA Hardrider series.

Marchant set a time of 1hr 7.1min on a rolling course which was 48 seconds faster than Mark Dredge (Westbury Wheelers).

Dredge was left wondering just what he has to do to beat Marchant after only once finishing ahead of him at the Chippenham hilly event in March.

For more information about Swindon RC, contact Bryan Telford on 01793 726020 or visit www.swindon-rc.co.uk