No Steve Cummings at the British Time Trial Championships 2018, saving it for the road race or just no form? – it looked like a shoot-out then between Dauphine winner, Geraint Thomas and chrono specialist Alex Dowsett (Katusha).
The sun was out, our spot on the hill was perfect, the marshal was sound with not a trace of Janitordom and Dave’s cheese and ham pieces were of exceptional quality.
And Britain’s best bike riders were set to scoot past us.
Not much more a man can want in life.
But first, a trip to the start.
We missed the ladies race but did catch winner, Hannah Barnes (Canyon SRAM) taking the last corner – but what is that team strip about?
The OnePro team bus, ‘did a GreenEdge in Corsica, 2013’ and almost wedged itself under the start/finish gantry – but there were men on hand with ladders to sort it out…
The Wiggins team have the best of kit, the ‘full bifta’ Pinarello Bolides – but we hear that the cable routing is the stuff of premature ageing for mechanics.
You just think the CTT are big into rules – but the UCI are the Daddies and if your bike don’t fit that jig, you don’t start.
We make the best price on Dura Ace ‘bar end shifters’ 65 quid – less though when you hacksaw the ends off them.
Neah Evans produced a strong ride for bronze behind those Barnes Girls.
But it was time for us to ‘head’ – we didn’t want trapped at the start/finish by the road closure.
The u23 riders were first out for two laps of the testing but not too technical circuit.
The man we turn to for information on riders, Harry Tweed, tells us that Adam Wild (GS Metro) is studying at Edinburgh Uni.
We noticed from a Cycling Weekly report that he won a North East ‘10’ with a ‘19’ but a local worthy told us he’s produced an ‘18’ on his local roads.
An ‘18’ or not, 26th was his final place.
Scottish ex-Raleigh man, Fraser Martin is with Saint Piran, this year – the team’s website tells us:
“Saint Piran is Cornwall’s first elite cycling team. Our commitment is twofold: to give talented riders the opportunity to perform on the national stage and, by 2023, to compete as an accredited Continental Professional Squad in the world’s biggest races.”
Interesting – and 24th spot for Fraser on the day.
Former Scottish junior 10 mile champion and ex-Spokes man, Finn Crockett is with Wheelbase Castelli for 2018; he was rewarded for his efforts with 16th place.
Fred Wright may look the part as a ‘tester’ – he was 12th best – but he’s actually a talented track rider and has been European junior team pursuit champion.
More Scottish talent, 2017 British points race champion, Joe Nally is with 100% ME for this year and track man or nae, has to ride the TT champs; 22nd place said the watches.
They don’t lie but I’ll bet the Columbians have a way to fiddle them…
Dooleys’ Alex Macrae was off the tri-bars for the climb and didn’t look to be enjoying the heat – the u23’s rode during the hottest part of the day.
Scot, Andy Brown is with Dan Fleeman’s former club, Metaltek Kuota for 2018; 33rd spot today.