Ace Trippier breaks another East Lancs trial record

CYCLING

EAST Lancs Road Club riders were scattered far and wide at cycling events across the North-West, as yet another club trial record was broken.

Current 10-mile record holder Frank Smith opted for the D10/1 course near St Helens for his latest effort on a blustery afternoon.

The course is quite flat but exposed in windy conditions, which held Smith back from his normal pace in the early stages.

However, he recorded 22 minutes, 55 seconds to secure 17th place in the field overall. The event was won by Steve Burke, riding for Team Wiggins in 20:21.

Meanwhile, the Trippier brothers, Alex and Ben, entered the Drighlington BC 10-mile time-trial event on the superfast V718 course near Hull, and neither was disappointed with their effort.

This course was used by Bradley Wiggins in his preparation for his recent hour record and is virtually flat with good hedge protection from side winds on both sides of the dual carriageway.

Younger brother Alex reduced his personal best by a minute to 23:20, and Ben reduced his personal best at this distance by 44 seconds to establish a well-deserved new club record time of 21:05.

The event was won by Philip Graves from York Triathlon Club – an ironman world champion – thanks to a fantastic time of 19:14.

Round three of the East Lancs best all-rounder competition came in the form of the 150 miles in 12 hours reliability ride.

The course for this ride takes in Hebden Bridge, Bolton Abbey, Aysgarth, Hawes, Settle, Whalley, Haslingden and back to Rochdale for a closing stage through stunning Dales scenery.

The distance and windy conditions reduced riders numbers to just three this year with Paul Atherton, Steve Szelesi and Dave Trippier taking on the challenge, though all three successfully completing the 150 miles 20 minutes inside the 12-hour limit.