Two velo’s have been in action in road racing and time trial action.

First up in the Surrey league races at Cyclopark was Matt Nunn, who raced in the 3rd cat race. With a distinct lack of British Cycling organised racing in Kent this year, it was always going to be a lottery for the riders, but Matt battled well throughout the race on a tough circuit.

Sunday saw Mike Stanley in time trial action on the Q10/1 Hamstreet course, and once again he came home with a PB, this time over ten miles taking his best time down to 23:10.

Well done Matt and Mike, and thanks to the organisers and volunteers from the Surrey League / Epsom CC and the KCA for putting on the events.

Medway Velo’s committee, led by social secretary Charlie Bruce, are pleased to announce the return of the club’s annual party, this year at a new venue.

Saturday 11^th November at the Smallholders Club in Wigmore (ME8 0JG) is the date for your diary and the event runs from 19:30 to 23:00.

Rather than a sit down dinner there will be a buffet, and there will be live music from local professional band “The Shaw Thing”. During the evening there will be the annual presentation of awards to winners of competitive and club prizes.

Tickets for this event cost £10 and can be purchased online from

https://medwayveloannualparty.eventbrite.co.uk/

The evening is open to both members and friends of the club, so book your tickets now!

Medway Velo Club Evening 10 Result

Q10/20

Friday 11^th August

1	Joe Austin	Wigmore CC	RB	24:09
2	Matt Nunn	Medway Velo	TT	24:24
3	Fraser Blanford	Medway Velo	RB	26:59
4	Simon Tucker	Medway Velo	RB	29: 26

Velo’s Jon Graciano travelled to Perth to compete in the UCI Grand Fondo World Championship, having successfully qualified at the Tour of Cambridgeshire earlier in the summer.

Taking in 160km through the southern Highlands and passing through towns such as Pitlochry and Aberfely, the grand fondo had a field of 217 including UCI President David Lappartient of France.

Jon came home in 151st position, having lost contact with the main bunch on the second climb, but he managed to avoid the various crashes en route, which allowed him to finish strong.

The fondo was won by Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan.

Well done Jon on a great performance.

Velo’s Mike Stanley broke through the 24 minute barrier or 10 miles, achieving a PB for the distance at the VTTA event held on the Ham Street course.

Mike recorded an excellent time of 23:45, and no doubt has sights on reducing this even further.

Well done Mike, and thanks to Bob Giles and the VTTA team for organising.

A busy weekend saw a number of velo riders in competitive action.

First up on Friday evening was the clubs 2 up time trial championship. Run off in a light drizzle experience racers Jon Graciano and Mike Stanley who recorded a time of 26:44, a mixed pairing of Rob Kennison and Sally Smith took second place with 27:08, with Nigel Wharton and Fraser Blandford hot on their heels with 27:14.

Thank you to all who braved the conditions to ride, and to Rodney and Rachel for marshalling.

Sunday morning saw time trials and road racing at Betteshanger Country Park. Sally Smith was racing again, this time riding the KCA 25 2up with Aiga Kolosova. The all female pairing was victorious in the category in a time of 1:10:09, an excellent performance, particularly for Aiga who was racing for the first time.

Mike Stanley also raced in the solo category, and claimed 13th place recording 1:04:54.

Clearly a woman in form, Sally Smith lined up shortly afterwards for the BMRC circuit race organise by Kingsnorth International Wheelers, and she claimed her second win of the day as first lady home. Rob Kennison and Jon Graciano also took part in their respective age group races, Rob winning the sprint for third in his race, whilst Jon was fourth in his category.

Well done all, and thanks to all of the volunteers from their various clubs and associations who made the racing happen.

A summer weekend of mixed weather conditions saw velos in triathlon and time trial action.

Matt Nunn was crowned the clubs triathlon champion and took an excellent 5th place in the Oysterman triathlon at Whitstable.

With the event consisting of a 500m sea swim, 20km bike leg and a 5km run, Matt came home in 1hour 1 minute and 31 seconds.

Well done Matt!

Down on Romney Marsh, Mike Stanley became the club 50 champ having completed the VTTA 50 mile time trial, and braved a downpour in the second half of the ride to claim 18th place with a time of 2:16:31.

Well done Mike, and thanks to the VTTA volunteers for putting the event on.

Velo’s Bill Stacey travelled to the Republic Of Ireland to take part in the Ring of Kerry Charity ride.

The ride takes in 170 km of tough Irish roads, covering the well known ring of Kerry touring route. Bill took in a number of climbs including the tough pass of Ceim an Daimh (Mollis Gap), but also took time to enjoy a well deserved drink of stout on the way!

Well done Bill.

The week of the summer solstice saw velo riders out racing time trials, and taking part in some longest day rides.

Matt Nunn raced the VTTA 10 mile Time Trial held on the closed cycling circuit at Betteshanger Country Park and finished in a strong 6th place in a time of 23:36.

Well done Matt, and thanks to Mark Hill and his team of volunteers for putting on the event.

With the longest day falling during a week, a number of club riders set out to undertake some epic rides.

A large group of riders including Andrew Collyer, Simon Tucker, Nigel Wharton, Rachel Hartridge, Simon Morris, Fraser Blandford, and Charlie Bruce completed a 160 mile lap of Kent on the Friday, whilst Rob Sapp completed a similar lap with a friend on Saturday.

Sally Smith decided that roads were not for her and took part in the Salisbury Plain gravel epic, completing the 135 mile event, of which 80% was off road, and including almost 3,000 metres of vertical ascent.

Well done all!

The third round of the evening 10 competition saw four velos and one Wigmore rider brave the evening heat of the Iwade circuit.

Matt Nunn won the event on the evening in a time of 24:23, just ten seconds ahead of Jon Graciano, who took the lead in the club 10 championship. Wigmore rider Dave Wastall completed the podium. Mike Stanley was fastest road bike, ahead of Fraser Blandford.

Time trial bikes

Pos	Name	Club	Time	Points
1	Matt Nunn	Medway Velo	24:23	4
2	Jon Graciano	Medway Velo	24:33	3
3	Dave Wastall	Wigmore CC	26:27

Road bikes

Pos	Name	Club	Time	Points
1	Mike Stanley	Medway Velo	27:51	2
2	Fraser Blandford	Medway Velo	28:26	1

Thank you to Phil, and Cameron for marshalling.

Elsewhere club member Bill Stacey completed his epic charity ride covering the more than 800 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats. Well done Bill!