It was a warm 26 degree evening for a TT, which brought out 18 racers tonight. It's great to see so many achieving personal bests and truly seeing the results of their hard work. Many make the drive from Parksville, Shawnigan Lake, and Mill Bay, week after week, thanks for your dedication!
Once again, to skip to the results:
3 youth took part in the 20k Youth Division, while 15 adults raced the 40k. For the 40k riders I recorded their half way splits, click on lap times to compare 20k/20k times.
The big news of the night was Lorrie Baildham proving her hard work this year has paid off, posting a PB of 1:07:56 on the challenging 40k course, posting a negative split by 1.1 seconds on the 2nd 20k. That's nearly 3 minutes off her best time from last year. Kiyomi Schulz came in 2nd with a 1:11:25, posting a very steady split of 35:24/35:52, with Mill Bay's Lulu McCallum coming in just behind in 1:12:03 just a few days after her triathlon. Carole Phee rode a 1:32:38, her 2nd best time on this course ever, good job Carole. With tonights win Lorrie snuck ahead of Janna in the series standings:
In the youth divisions, Ian Gillmore also showed good form and did a seasons best time of 43:02, while his sister Meghan also rode her fastest time of the year with a 41:24 (just 32 seconds off the course record for youth female). Abigail Hare came in at 43:21, well off her best, but she did ride past the turnaround point as well as just raced hard this past Sunday AND last night.
In the male division we had a return of the King, Robin Dutton (one of MIVA's longest running sponsors, owner of Cowichan Cycles, and all-around-nice-guy award winner) made a triumphant return to the TT.. showing up on a whim and busting out the 40k. Robin was steady freddie riding a 33:20/33:51 to come in 6th with a 1:07:11, on a cross bike. Tonights winner was Paul Auton coming in at 58:56, after chasing down a rider well past the turnaround. Justin Mark rode 1:03:04, 24 hours after the HCTC Tri Clubs Splash n Dash race, and Orphee Bernard rode a 1:04:17, his 3rd best time ever on this course. Patrick Burnham threw himself off his game plan with a longish warmup and late start meaning it was pretty lonely for him on the course, yet still managed a 1:04:44 comprised of a 32:04/32:40 on his single speed. Thetis' Dave Steen once again put on a clinic with a 1:06:40 (33:06/33:40) in his first 40k on this course, to round out the top 5.
Jason Hare avenged his 4 second loss to Matthys Redelinghuys last week, by taking tonights duel 1:09:02 to 1:10:29. That was Jason's 2nd best time ever, and Matthys' 3rd best lifetime. Mike Gill rode a huge negative split of 36:45/35:46 to come in at 1:12:32, and Lee Zavarise 1:16:03 knocked an incredible 6:13 off of his 40k PB! Don Gillmore rode a fast first lap 20k in 28:38 then retired to cheer his kids in. With another high placing tonight Justin Mark has taken over the series points lead with 45 points over Nick Kupiaks 42. It's tight at the top of the standings at the 1/3 mark of the season:
Watching some of the turns at the 1/2 way point spurred Don Gillmore to offer a turning clinic before a TT at some point in the next few weeks, where valuable seconds (and cleats) can be saved.
Next week is a 20k TT, once again starts at 7pm. Pre registration link is here, I'll be on a paddleboard off Quadra so there will be a special guest time keeper helping us out.
UP THIS WEEK:
Fri Sat Sun - Harbour City Nationals BMX at Beban
Friday 5.29: Sprints on Maxey Rd, 6pm start. Email pakamac@gmail.com for details
Monday 6.1: Beginner Group Ride, 6pm at the NIC (new location, ice arena)
Tuesday 6.2: Crit Night, 7pm @ Boxwood
Weds 6.3: Intermediate/Advanced Group Ride, 6pm @ OBB
Thurs 6.4: TT #6 - 20k, 7pm
Happy riding and have a great weekend.
-Corey
