Second place for Ian which leads to team victory for Cherry Valley

Skegness Wheelers 10 - 14/06/2005 - C10/9

Ian Dalton headed team mates Gareth Williams and Sam Tuplin to a team win and 3 top 7 placings in the Skegness Wheelers 10 on Tuesday 14th June.

With a moderate breeze blowing across the course, the recent cold weather abated and the sun shone as the temperature made a pleasant return to a more seasonal level. The riders faced a course which started on an uphill section from Candlesby heading towards Ulceby Cross Roundabout where the turn was and finishing near to Gunby roundabout at the bottom of the starting hill.

With Ian starting early, he soon set the fastest time of 20.48 which set the mark for pre-race favourate Julian Ramsbottom (De Rosa RT) to beat. The next Cherry Valley rider to start was Sam Tuplin. After Sundays race where Sam didn’t commit to a full effort, he was about to put this right with a full on effort for the 10 mile event held close to his home village of Skendleby. Riding smoothly and strongly to the turn, Sam took full advantage of the slightly down hill return with more favourable conditions on the return leg from the turn to record a stunning time of 22.53 which would see Sam finish in 7th place and only 6 seconds from 6th.

After arriving at the event late and with only 25 minutes to prepare, Gareth Williams started just a few minutes behind Sam. Struggling to find any rhythm to the turn and easier leg back to the finish gave Gareth a time of 22.12 which was good enough for 4th place. ‘I knew I wasn’t going well to begin with as I didn’t warm up after getting here late’ said Gareth ‘but I could see Sam was having a good ride as I was only 30 seconds up on him at the turn’.

Ramsbottom was the only seeded rider left on the course to finish and was pushing Ians time close all the way around the course with only a few seconds separating them at several time checks. As Ramsbottom crossed the finish line he had a time of 20.30 which pushed Ian into 2nd place by 18 seconds but it was still the closest Ian had finished to Ramsbottom all season.

Leading Cherry Valley to a team victory, Ian was pleased with his ride and it appears he is starting to find some consistent form as he edges ever closer to Ramsbottom and the sort of performances Ian would expect of himself.