Howarth shines in East Lancs time-trial

Bill Howarth in action in the East Lancs Road Club 10-mile time-trial

Bill Howarth continued his comeback in style by winning the +60-year-old category in the East Lancs Road Club's first official event of the season, the 10-mile time-trial.

The event was held on the J2/1 course along the A537 where riders start near the Monks Heath traffic lights and head north west to the Booths Hall roundabout where they encircle the roundabout and return to the start. 

The course is reasonably flat with a railway bridge the steepest part, but the secret to a fast ride and staying on the bike is to avoid the numerous potholes.

Club riders featured well in the various category awards with personal best rides achieved. 

As well as Howarth's impressive ride, Pete Matthew was third in the +70-year-old category, Oliver Makinson was second junior, Oliver Bentley third junior, Max Bentley was second juvenile, and Karen Bailey and Georgina Cape won the ladies' team prize.

Individual times in order of start were as follows; Karen Bailey, 26:50mins; Georgina Cape, 27:49mins; David Ireland, 25:39mins; Pete Matthew, 32:16mins; Max Bentley, PB in 24:48mins; John Ashworth in his first ever time trial did 34:31mins in the +70yr category; David Bentley, 24:20mins; Roy Neild, 24:54mins with a 1:32min penalty for a late start; Oliver Makinson, PB in 23:11mins; David Trippier, 26:40mins; Oliver Bentley, PB in 24:08mins; and finally Bill Howarth 25:18mins.  

The event was won by Ryan Morley, riding for the Royal Air Force Cycling Association, in the great time of 20:35mins.