Swindon RC's Marchant is fastest veteran in 23-mile cycling event (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Swindon RC's Marchant is fastest veteran in 23-mile cycling event

IN the Cheltenham and County CC open 23-mile time trial, a regional round of the Rudy Project series, Swindon Road Club's Steve Marchant was placed fourth overall against strong competition from Stuart Dangerfield (Science in Sport.com), Neil Coleman (Alcan-Sunchemical-Bianchi) and Lee Davis (Bournemouth Arrow CC).

But as the fastest veteran, this result brought Marchant 30 valuable points in the series.

Despite unfavourable conditions, a large number signed on for Corinium CC's open ten-mile TT, held on the Latton course.

John Wynn (Somerset RC) set a new course record of 21min 15sec to take the honours, followed by Dave Keene (Bristol South, 21.36) and Swindon's Steve Marchant (22.04).

Swindon RC's Jason Costello was seventh (22.30) with Steve Pitman just behind on 24-58. Their combined time of 1-9.32 was enough to win the prize for the second team behind the fastest three riders from Dursley RC, who totalled 1-9.6.

In the VTTA Jack Gray 25- mile TT on Sunday, Marchant took the honours with 57.39. Swindon's Chris Lowe was tenth (1-3.11) and Steve Pitman 13th.

Jason Costello dominated the evening 'ten', held in conjunction with Corinium CC, when 36 riders turned out in blustery winds.

There was a PB for junior Stefan Telford with Costello just missing out on a new course record by only ten seconds.

Results: J Costello (SRC) 22.19, P Wheddon (Clevedon RC) 23.05, A McCleary (CCC), 23.58, M Kent (SRC 2nd claim) 24.04, C Bishop (SRC) 24.14, A Norwood (CCC) 24.29, A Smith (CCC) 24.36, R Merrison (SRC) 24.43, A Roberts (Evans RT) 24.45, C Dutton (CCC) 24.54, T Jordan (SRC) 25.05, M Packham (CCC) 25.19, D Mitchell (CCC) 25.20, J Schwartz (SRC) 25.28, S Telford (J) (SRC) 25.30, A Wilcox (CCC) 25.35, D Jeffery (SRC) 25.41, S Gooch (CCC) 25.41, R Patterson (SRC) 25.57, M Grey (Newbury RC) 26.04, M Mason (SRC) 26.16, R Meade (Evans RT) 26.16, K Williams (SRC) 26.25, C Paginton (Evans RT) 26.25, S King (Evans RT) 26.34, A Hughes (J) (SRC) 26.35, D Gibson (SRC) 26.39, R Green (SRC) 26.43, B McPhail (SRC) 26.59, D Kent (CCC) 27.06, A Kirk (CCC) 27.30, G Peppin (CCC) 28.38, P Paton (SRC) 29.30, M Appleby (CCC) 29.35, P Swanston (CCC) 29.4.

Meanwhile, Swindon RC's junior downhill champion Kirsty Price and big brother Robert competed in the second/third rounds of the Midland Super mountain bike series in Wales

In Saturday's round two, Kirsty's first run of 3min 30sec was good enough for third overall in the women's event and best junior.

She was just over 12 seconds down on her coach, Elite rider and race winner Jules Coventry (Ancillotti Bikes).

In the Price family battle, Rob maintained pride by finishing just 0.55 seconds ahead of little sister for 77th spot in senior men.

Local rider Chris Sinden (Tomac/ABG) rode his shiny new Tomac Magnum 204 to a time of 2-38 and fifth place in Expert Men's race.

Round three on Sunday saw Kirsty finishing with a best time of 3-29 for third woman overall and best junior.

Rob found the course more to his liking on the second day and improved his best time to 3-15 for 63rd position in senior men. Chris Sinden rode well to get fourth in expert men in 3-34.

Tim Morris (Swindon RC/ Team Noah) took part in the final round of the Gorrick Spring series in Swinley Forest, near Bagshot, where a field of 48 riders assembled for a novice category race over three laps.

Morris started strongly and went to win by an impressive margin, one minute ahead of the second-placed man.

For news and information on Swindon RC, check out the website on www.swindon-rc.co.uk