RIYADH, 25 October — Fresh from an International racing trip with the Saudi team, Abdulaziz Al Sharani once again topped a Riyadh Wheelers race in emphatic style, by winning the 40km time trial in the very fast time of 58m27s. It was the turn of successful local business, Zahid Tractor, to provide the generous prize list along with Coca Cola and Al Marai who supplied the refreshments. In good conditions and on a flat course, 40 riders signed on to face what is still considered the ‘blue riband’ of racing against the clock. The ambition of most club riders is to break the magic hour barrier, a feat only a few will achieve in their cycling career.
In second place with a time of just over the hour was consistent Alan Wood, who, although happy with his position was well off his best for the distance. A personal best and ride of the day probably came from the 3rd placed rider and top veteran, Zahid’s own Charlie Dryden, who has emerged this season to be an excellent all round cyclist and has proved that dedication and training will reap its own rewards.
A name to figure for the first time this season is Rusty Campigotto, surprising a few with a strong ride to record his best result to date. Top Pinoy again was Herbert Rom, proving that he’s not just a sprinter and can beat the specialists at their owngame, one being his rival Jaime Sunga who’s stylish riding took him once again to a top finish. Top Master Paul McParland will take some beating this year as will No. 1 Cat B, L. Pentlebury, and Mountain Biker Steve Baker, back in form after a slow start to the season.
Making his first outing while still recovering from injury, Rob Patrick finished an unaccustomed 15th but admitted the second half of the season would be his main objective and was happy to make the distance. A lot of new members chose this tough event as their first, unfortunately several finding the distance a little too much for a first effort. Thanks to Zahid for providing a well organized event and congratulations to Abdulaziz, a worthy winner.
Results: 1st A. Al Sharani 58m27s; 2nd A. Wood 1h0m14s; 3rd C. Dryden 1h0m39s; 4th H. Rom1h3m39s; 5th C.Wust 1h3m56s; 6th P.McParland 1h4m45s; 7th R. Campigotto 1h6m00s;8th J. Sunga 1h6m18s; 9th L. Pentlebury 1h6m38s; 10th P. Green 1h7m12s; 11th R. Platil1h7m30s; 12th A. Al Sarhani.
High octane Wood triumphs in BAe opener
Sept. 27 an excellent turnout of 38 riders for the British Aerospace 40km road race bodes well for the Riyadh Wheelers in this their second race of the championship.
In excellent conditions and on a challenging course, time keeper Mick Cook representing the new sponsors, sent the riders off on the first of 8 laps. The racing in the early kilometers was subdued as riders watched each other, not knowing who were the strongest, especially with so many new names in the peleton.
In road racing, tactics play a major part and riders are generally split between those who are happy to wait until the sprint and those who like to apply pressure early on in an attempt to rid the pack of the sprinters. Alan Wood and Marcus Escott are in the latter category and were quickly picking up the pace in an attempt to break clear.
However, it was Wood, with his renowned strength, who put daylight between himself and his pursuers, in a bold move with over 30km still to go. The chase pack was quickly reduced to 7 in the confusion, amongst them no less than 4 Filipinos, Herbert Rom, Redeen Platil, George Morete and Edwin Seneres, proving the Asian riders mean business this year and have prepared well for the new season.
