It’s been an incredibly busy week for the club with many velos doing some amazing rides.
On Wednesday evening the club did battle with the Wigmore CC at the Iwade circuit to find out who would be crowned inter club champions.
It was fair to say Wigmore were missing some of their key contenders however this made the competition incredibly tight. However Medway Velo managed to retain the trophy in the annual event.
With the times of the first six riders from each club making up the overall reault, velo chairman Rob Kennison lead by example and won the overall event in 23:23, six seconds ahead of the first Wigmore rider, Keith Walker.
Matt Nunn, Steve Smith, Andy Hawes, Alex Cook and Mike Stanley were the other counters for the Velo as they claimed an overall victory of just over two minutes from the Wigmore.
Jon Graciano was out in the rain on Thursday racing in the Cat 3/4 at Hog Hill.
Jon has been going from strength to strength this season but found himself playing yo-yo for most of the race before losing contact with the bunch in the latter stages of the race. Still a fantastic effort given Jon has just worked a 10 hour shift.
Also getting wet and dirty was Rob Kennison in the summer cyclocross.
It was a new venue for round 3 of the Beastway Summer cyclocross series and the riders were treated to proper cyclo cross weather as a heavy storm lashing the riders throughout the hour long race.
In the vet 50+ category Rob was defending a small lead in the overall and after a good start was in a battle for the win. Unfortunately with a couple of laps to go he suffered a puncture and, as this is a one bike series with no pits, he plugged on with a flat.
Ultimately he was passed but hung on for 3rd dropping to second overall. Now he has everything to ride for at Tuesday’s final round.
It’s been an action packed week of racing for the rider’s of the Medway Velo with more podiums that you can shake a stick at.
First up was Rob Kennison racing the Beastway Summer Cyclocross Series at Hog Hill on Thursday.
It was a long, hilly race and Rob found himself duelling for 2nd place. Unfortunately as he reached the 2nd placed rider he crashed and a slightly battered Kennison had to settle for 3rd. However after two races he is leading the series in the Vet 50 category.
Also taking on an evening race was Matt Nunn in the category 3/4 race at Cyclopark. In a fast and furious event averaging 25mph he stayed in the pack well to finish mid-field.
Rob was once again in action on Saturday alongside Steve Smith at Herne Hill velodrome’s Vets league.
Rob raced in the A category taking 5th in the scratch race, narrowly missing a 6th in the win out and taking points in the tempo and points race.
Up next was Steve in the Bs. A cunning attack in the opening scratch saw him holding on for the win.
The tempo was fast and Steve rode well missing the points but getting round safely in the bunch.
Steve then opted for a bigger gear in the win out with the intention of powering away to attack for the win with a lap to go. Fair to say he executed it to perfection crossing the line in first place – only to realise that there was still a lap to go. A valiant effort nonetheless.
In the points he hoped to be in contention for the final sprint but the evening of hard attacks got the better of him though he did finish 5th in the final sprint.
On Sunday Matt Nunn took part in the Marshman Triathlon consisting of a 1500m swim 44km bike and 10.6km run.
Matt proved his recent Triathlon form was no fluke taking a convincing 3rd place in 2hrs 24mins.
Wednesday evening saw 24 riders from a variety of clubs gather for the first Medway evening 10 of the season.
Keith Walker of the Wigmore took the overall victory, whilst first velo home was Matt Nunn in 23:59 who took an early lead in his defence of the club TT series competition.
Other velo times were Alex Cook (25:25), Michael Stanley (25:29), Rob Sapp (26:53), Daniel Berkhauer (27:27), and Nigel Wharton (27:55)
Thank you to everyone who rode and marshalled.
On Thursday evening Rob Kennison won the first round of the Beastway summer cyclocross series held at Hoghill. Rob led by over a minute in the V50 category. Well done Rob!
Two Medway Velo riders were in action in the latest round of the South East Road Racing League held at the Gravesend cyclopark on Saturday.
First up for the velo was Matt Nunn in the 4th category race; a fast start on the tight corners of the course meant that all the riders were in for a hard race. A group of fifteen riders broke away on the third lap, and although Nunn was caught on the wrong side of the initial split he stayed at the front and as the peloton disintegrated, he found himself in the main chase group picking up those who could not manage the pace in the breakaway. Nunn took a solid 22nd out of a field of 60.
Jon Graciano corners
Seasoned road racer Jon Graciano represented the velo in the 3rd category event, and facing a similarly high paced race he held his own taking 31st place from a field of 60 riders.
Five Velos travelled to Winchester on Sunday 23 May to take part in Battle In The Bowl – an endurance cyclocross race.
First up was Sally Smith in the open race. Despite two epic downpours during her 6 laps, taking 1hr 53mins, she managed 4th in her category.
Next up were Rob Kennison, Rob Sapp, Michael Stanley and Dan Berkhauer in the elite field.
Dan was racing the seniors, Rob S and Michael in the vet 40s and Rob Kennison inthe Vet 50s.
Rob got off to a good start holding 5th place for the first half of the race before losing a few places to come 8th.
Michael had a poor start dropping his chain and by the time he was underway the field had ridden Way from him. Despite this he plugged away before eventually finding Rob S in the pack. The two rode well together until Michael just had the better of Rob with the finishing 44th and 47th. Rob Sapp rode well throughout lapping consistent times over the 2hr event.
Dan looked good for his first lap but trouble found him when he got caught up in a crash. He tried to walk it off and completed a third lap before succumbing to injury and retiring. A value to effort nonetheless.
Overall a great day and a huge thank you to the organisers.
Matt Nunn was the sixth to rep the red-headed, white and green this time in the Cranbrook Sprint Triathlon. The event was one of the first Triathlons in Kent since restrictions were lifted, and our sockless rider Matt put on a good show for the Velo.
Recent good showings in the early-season Time Trials boded well for Matt, despite the unknown form for everyone at the moment.
After a 300m pool swim, Matt was quickly onto the bike for the 21km bike section on the rolling Weald terrain. Then it was into the running shoes for a 4.7km run through the hilly woodland outside Cranbrook. Matt found the good running legs and managed to keep most of his advantage from the first two disciplines. He finished 2nd place overall in a time of 1hr 3mins 8secs just behind Hamadel Ndiaye of 7Oaks Tri Club and in front of some athletes qualified for the GB Age Group squad.
Thanks to Velocity Events for putting on a great event
Over 40 riders gathered for the annual Medway Velo 10 mile Time Trial in Chilham on Saturday 14 May.
Despite the very wet conditions riders gathered on the start line with a smile before navigating the course.
Winning the competition outright was Chris Fennell of the Independent Pedaler in 20.07. The TT specialist would have undoubtedly broken the 20 minute barrier had he not stopped for a dropped chain.
The second step on the podium was filled by his brother Nic Fennell of Thanet RC in 20.59.
The ladies competition winner, Alex Clay of The Independent Pedaler also took third in the overall event with a 22.05.
Second lady went to Rebecca Wilson of Rye and District Wheelers in 26.16 followed by Susan Wallbrook of Thanet RC in 27.32.
Road bike winners were Neil Harrigan, Gemini BC and Nicky Spensley, Kent Velo Girls.
Had they not been set off at very different times you’d been forgiven for thinking the velo team had raced round the course together as their times were so close. Club bragging rights went to Michael Stanley in 26.25, followed by Alex Cook in 26.35 then Tom Kennison in 27.16. Unfortunately Lee Kingston was forced to retire mid race.
The event was organised by Phil Booth who sent his thanks to the riders and volunteers who ensured the event ran smoothly.
Thanks to Mike Savage Photography for the images. Please check out the event gallery to purchase your photo.
Despite being up at the crack of dawn to marshall the 10 Matt Nunn headed to Cyclopark on Saturday afternoon for the SERRL.
Racing in the 4th Cat event with 30 riders Matt shook off the demons of the past where he has struggled with the course and rode a very strong race. The field split and he ensured he was on the right side of the split.
As the pace ramped up he kept his cool and sprinted in to 11th place.
He then stayed to watch clubmate Jon Graciano in the 3rd cats. This was another quick race and Jon stayed in contention throughout.
As it came to the sprint he claimed 12th overall.
On Sunday an intrepid team of four Velos headed to Essex to race in the British Masters’ Cycle Racing events on the new Northern Gateway circuit at Colchester.
Covid regulations dictated that race format was two 30 minute races, rather than just one longer race.
Race 1 was contested during a heavy storm and right from the off the Velo team got stuck in to try and force a break with at least one of them within it, it took about 10 minutes for this when Rob Kennison jumped across to two attackers and they proceeded to work together to establish a lead, whilst Andy Hawes, Jonny Graciano and Steve Smith did their best to deter any chasers.
The lead group stayed together until the final when Rob used his experience to unleash his sprint early ensuring he entered the short finish straight with a convincing lead, Andy came in at the front of the chase group to claim a well deserved 6th place.
After a 45 minute break the team were back on the grid for race 2, this time Andy attacked from the front the moment the flag dropped for the rolling start, with the rest of the team sitting at the front of the peloton his lead grew to 10 seconds but after 5 laps of freedom the attacks from the bunch became too much for him to resist and Rob tracked another rider across the gap, although the trio got working together small groups gradually crossed the gap until there were 10 leaders with all the Velos except Steve who was patrolling the remainder of the bunch.
From the lead group a sprint finish seemed inevitable, however with just half a mile remaining Marco Coppola (ColourTech) jumped clear with Andy who just didn’t quite have the legs to get past at the line, Rob again showed he had learned how to ride this particular sprint with another long one to finish third just a second behind.
The riders of the velo were making up for lost time with an epic weekend of racing on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 May.
First up and getting the worst of conditions was Jon Graciano who took on a wet and windy SERRL race at Ardingly.
Despite claiming he “ran out if puff” on the last lap he finished strongly taking 6th place – winning a tube of Belgian toothpaste for his efforts!
Next up were Steve Smith and Rob Kennison who were doing battle in the vets league at Herne Hill Velodrome.
Despite both being a little ring rusty both put on a good show with Steve racing in the Bs and Rob the As.
Rob placed 3rd in the elimination race and won the 8 block handicap after a huge sprint and some chewing of the stem. In the final points race he took 3rd. He now is sitting 2nd in the league overall.
Steve raced strongly in all his events finishing 3rd in the scratch race.
On Sunday Rob headed for the British Masters Cycle Racing at Colchester Gateway circuit. He was competing in two 30 minute races (Covid regs).
It’s a new circuit flat with sweeping bends and windy.
Race one was fast and a couple of riders broke away with a couple of laps to go. Rob worked hard to hold a position at front for sprint. He placed 3rd, winning his age category.
Race two strung out more as the wind was stronger. Race one winner, Marco Coppola attacked with a lap and a half to go and again Rob had to work hard to get to the front for sprint. He was 2nd into final corner and just caught the winner at line with three riders within a wheel length and Rob placing 3rd again. He also won his category for a second time.
Matt Nunn was rewarded with a PB after deciding to take on the West Kent RC 10 mile Time Trial on the Isle of Grain on Saturday.
The velo had to contend with a stiff head wind on the return leg of the course but powered through to finish in 24:05.
It followed a strong ride in the Wigmore 10TT on Wednesday evening at Iwade where he returned a time of 26.11 – third fastest rider on the night.
A big thank you to the Wigmore and WKRC.
Congratulations to Dan Berkhauer our adventurous velo who completed the Chilham Castle Duathlon in a brilliant time of 1hr 28mins 15secs on Sunday.
It was Dan’s first multi-sport event and he chose the sprint option with a 5km run bike ride and final 2.5km run. As he stood on the start line it clouded over and suddenly the temperature dropped and the nerves kicked in. He steadied himself and before he knew it he was sprinting along his first 5km off road trail run.
Back into transition and only a tough 2.5km run stood between Dan and the finish line. Managing a sprint to the line he finished a very respectable 58th in a field of over 120 athletes.
Despite only taking up running 3 months ago Dan completed the first leg well with a pb over the distance. Like many traditional bike riders he felt at home on the bike and was picking off rider after rider as he progressed through the course.
Medway Velo Cycling Club 