George Ely Memorial Two Up Team Time Trial Result

15th March 2008

The George Ely memorial 2-up attracted a good field, 40 teams, in this, the first of our centenary year opens. George Ely, himself a prolific winner of open events some 80 years ago when there was lots of competition, died two years ago and left a small but very welcome legacy for this event. The photo of him was taken in 1925 on this very course, probably on a box brownie. And it's not called a hard-riders course for nothing - there's not a dual carriageway anywhere where you could be sucked along, it undulates over most of the course, it is subject to some fierce cross winds, just ask those who rode here two weeks ago. But not today. Today was unusually still, perhaps the gales have blown themselves out, not too cold, but rather damp and misty. A fast day really, with plenty of oxygen about and a real chance to get the best out of your disk wheels.

First back were the Bridlington pair Mel Blackford and Stewart Pickard, 53.57, and the next couple, Steve Guymer and Steve Ward were only two seconds slower. I can tell them now that they lost eight seconds to the Brid team from the last roundabout, ie the last mile. Paul Kilvington and John Lockwood, the Hull Thursday duo seemed to be going well and I thought they might have got inside the hour, just out, finishing just 39 seconds out. Newcomer to the club John Ketley did a storming solo ride of 57.53 - doesn't count as his partner didn't start.

Moving into top spot on the board was Bradley Johnson and Nigel Haigh recording 52.49, and we began to wonder if any records would be set up today. There were only two rides outside the hour when Pete Williams and Russell Downing came in. Timekeeper Gil Foston couldn't believe he'd worked it out right when they recorded 48.28. But he had, and the Pinarello Pair had taken 58 seconds off the 49.26 record set up in 2000 by Chris Newton and Phil West, I didn't think that record could be beaten on this course.

An exceptional ride from John Brearley and Anthony Nash (Scunthorpe Poly) of 53.59 placed them equal third on the result board, but ex clubmates Paul Noton and Dave Hudson (City RC) took that place from them with a 53.20. Some six minutes later, Joel Wainman and Simon Beldon moved them down a bit as they moved into second spot with 51.42. Shortly afterwards the Boneshaker pair of Oliver Pearce and Matt Manakee did a short 55 but this perhaps was overshadowed by their team mate's solo performance, only 21 seconds slower from Craig Stevenson.

Moving into third place on the board was Chris Whitelam and Julian Gromett with a 51.49. Then came veterans Steve Macklin and Dean Fulstow to take the top Hull Thursday spot with a 56.45, I'll bet they were pleased with that.

Of course we were waiting to see what Ashley Brown and Wayne Randle (Sportscover) would return, Russell Downing had confided in me that Ashley was going well so anything was on the cards. Their 49.21 wasn't disappointing, still inside the old record but unfortunately 53 seconds behind the Pinarello pair, more than good enough for second place overall.

All in all a good event with a good field, not many outside the hour. Unluckiest rider must be Mike Cotgreave (Westmead) who punctured in the last half mile. He didn't know he was so near the finish and walked back - they might have just beaten a 56.

Russell Downing and Pete Williams took the Ely Trophy, the winners' proze money and free tickets for the centenary dinner to be held in November (Have you booked a place yet?) The Hull Thursday trophy was won by Dean Fulstow and Steve Macklin - pity there weren't more of the home riders in it.

Result

Solo Rides

Started Two and finished solo

DNF/DNS

and some portraits of the early starters:

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