Hard work but Ian nearly achieves his target

National 10 TT Champs - 21/05/2006 - Cambridgeshire

On a wet and windy day, Ian finished the National 10 TT championships in 25th place from a full field of 120 of the UK’s top time triallists. On a day were the rain fell and the wind increased in strength, Ian found the strength to turn in a ride in a time of 21.50.

Ian started well down near the back of the field, which was starting in seeded order. Although the predicated rain arrived on queue and prevented Ian from warming up over the course before the event, the rain had actually eased temporarily as Ian was due to start. Even though the rain had eased, the wind had been slowly increasing all afternoon as Ian started his race at 5pm in the afternoon.

The course was undulating and under the conditions was proving to be a very tough proposition for the riders. Ian was familiar with the course as it had been used in the National 25 TT a few years earlier so he knew what to expect despite not being able to warm up on the course in advance.

As Ian got his race underway the tough conditions were proving worthy of the National Championships as it favoured the stronger riders rather than those who preferred super fast courses. Ian got on with the job as the course never relented and he was battered in all directions from wind but the rain had subsided for the later starters. Crossing the finish line in a time of 21.50 for a final position of 25th place, Ian was almost caught by Michael Broadwith whom he had beaten the week before.

Although Ians time may have appeared to be relatively slow, he was pleased with his ride as he was getting closer to his main rivals in particular beating Julian Ramsbottom by 3 seconds.