Velo’s Matt Nunn donned his tri suit for the Eastbourne Triathlon, run off in the mid June heatwave.
Racing the standard distance event Matt claimed 7th place in his age category and 59th overall, including a strong performance of 1:13:03 for the cycle leg.
Well done Matt!
Matt Nunn continued his busy weekend and finished fourth overall in the Ocean Lake Tri Sprint triathlon.
Matt covered 750m swim, 18k bike leg, and 5k run in a time of 1:03:20.
Well done Matt!
A busy weekend of action saw velo riders taking on time trials, road races and sportives across the south of England, including a category win for Sally Smith.
The CC Bexley 10 held on the Isle of Grain course saw four velos facing the challenge of a stiff headwind on the return leg. Club champion overall was Matt Nunn, who completed the event in 23:41, good enough for ninth place overall.
Mike Stanley was first vet home, finishing in 24:54, whilst Rob Kennison was road bike club champion in a time of 25:53. Sally Smith was ladies champion and also took the prize money for winning the female road bike category.
Sunday saw velos at the K20 sportive and the Tour of Cambridgeshire. Rachel Hartridge, Simon Tucker and Harvey Pope completed the 75 miles distance event of the K20 sportive in a little over 4 hours, their route taking in a number of climbs of the high weald.
Up in Cambridgeshire Jon Graciano completed in the UCI age group road race, covering 66 miles in 2:36:33, finishing in the first third of his age group and the first quarter overall, whilst Rob Hatton completed the 100 mile sportive.
Well done all, and thanks to the volunteers from CC Bexley, ToC, and K20 for putting on their events.
Velo’s Jon Graciano continued his preparation for the Tour of Cambridgeshire by competing in the Surrey Cycle Racing League crits held at the Gravesend Cyclopark.
Competing in a field of 45 riders in the 3/4 race Jon was active in the bunch throughout the race and finished in 25th place. After the race Jon remarked that his fitness was getting there before his main aim the following week.
Elsewhere Sally Smith competed in the Wigmore CC evening 10 held on the Iwade circuit, coming home in 28:28, good enough for second road bike.
Well done Jon, and Sally, and thanks to the Surrey League, Wigmore CC and their volunteers for organising.
Solo riders
| Rank | Rider | Club | Mins | Secs | Time | Age Adj. | Cat | |||
| 1 | Nicholas Fennell | Thanet RC | 0 | 51 | 3 | 0:51:03 | – | Sen | ||
| 2 | Andrew Meilak | VeloRefined Rule 5 | 0 | 52 | 52 | 0:52:52 | 49:29 | Vet | ||
| 3 | James Odendaal | Army Cycling | 0 | 53 | 21 | 0:53:21 | – | Sen | ||
| 4 | Neil Lauder | Arctic Aircon RT | 0 | 53 | 26 | 0:53:26 | 53:26 | Vet | ||
| 5 | Huseyin Vardal | Gemini BC | 0 | 55 | 15 | 0:55:15 | 53:19 | Vet | ||
| 6 | Mark Hill | VeloRefined Rule 5 | 0 | 55 | 34 | 0:55:34 | 52:27 | Vet | ||
| 7 | Martin Fenna | Ashford Whs | 0 | 55 | 48 | 0:55:48 | – | Sen | ||
| 8 | Matt Clark | Ashford Whs | 0 | 57 | 14 | 0:57:14 | 55:55 | Vet | ||
| 9 | Simon Henderson | Thanet RC | 0 | 57 | 16 | 0:57:16 | 52:44 | Vet | ||
| 10 | Mathew Lister | Thanet RC | 0 | 57 | 32 | 0:57:32 | 57:10 | Vet | ||
| 11 | Philip Appleby | Wigmore CC | 0 | 59 | 16 | 0:59:16 | – | Sen | ||
| 12 | Matt Nunn | Medway Velo Club | 1 | 0 | 40 | 1:00:40 | – | Sen | ||
| 13 | Ryan Edwards | Ashford Whs | 1 | 1 | 15 | 1:01:15 | – | Sen | ||
| 14 | David Prom | San Fairy Ann CC | 1 | 1 | 38 | 1:01:38 | 59:01 | Vet | ||
| 15 | David Greenwood | Rye & District Wheelers CC | 1 | 2 | 10 | 1:02:10 | 58:14 | Vet | ||
| 16 | Allan Thurston | GS Avanti | 1 | 2 | 35 | 1:02:35 | 61:04 | Vet | ||
| 17 | Dave Richards | San Fairy Ann CC | 1 | 2 | 52 | 1:02:52 | 62:30 | Vet | ||
| 18 | James Harrison | Hythe Cycling Club | 1 | 3 | 12 | 1:03:12 | 63:12 | Vet | ||
| 19 | Luke Davison | Ocean Lake Triathlon | 1 | 3 | 20 | 1:03:20 | – | Sen | ||
| 20 | Andy Robinson | Ashford Whs | 1 | 3 | 21 | 1:03:21 | 57:28 | Vet | ||
| 21 | Tim Kingston | GS Invicta-Eye Level Optical-Herbert Cycles | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1:04:04 | 62:33 | Vet | RB | |
| 22 | Andy MacPherson | VC Deal | 1 | 4 | 33 | 1:04:33 | 61:10 | Vet | ||
| 23 | Mark Cole | Woolwich CC | 1 | 4 | 40 | 1:04:40 | 62:30 | Vet | ||
| 24 | Michael Stanley | Medway Velo Club | 1 | 5 | 13 | 1:05:13 | 63:03 | Vet | ||
| 25 | David Wastall | Wigmore CC | 1 | 6 | 9 | 1:06:09 | 65:25 | Vet | ||
| 26 | Steven Penny | Wigmore CC | 1 | 6 | 17 | 1:06:17 | 61:45 | Vet | ||
| 27 | Michael Newman | Ashford Whs | 1 | 6 | 32 | 1:06:32 | 62:00 | Vet | ||
| 28 | Christopher Bax | Thanet RC | 1 | 7 | 28 | 1:07:28 | 58:36 | Vet | ||
| 29 | Michael Coulter | Gravesend CC | 1 | 9 | 24 | 1:09:24 | 58:20 | Vet | ||
| 30 | Darren Head | Ashford Whs | 1 | 11 | 4 | 1:11:04 | 69:21 | Vet | ||
| 31 | Julian Scutter | East Grinstead CC | 1 | 11 | 9 | 1:11:09 | 64:54 | Vet | ||
| 32 | Fraser Blandford | Medway Velo Club | 1 | 13 | 14 | 1:13:14 | 70:37 | Vet | RB | |
| 33 | Shay Giles | Thanet RC | 1 | 13 | 53 | 1:13:53 | 60:51 | Vet | ||
| 34 | Rebecca Wilson | Rye & District Wheelers CC | 1 | 16 | 57 | 1:16:57 | 66:20 | WVet | ||
| 35 | Robin Johnson | Brighton Mitre CC | 1 | 19 | 17 | 1:19:17 | 68:13 | Vet | ||
| 36 | Andy Burrows | Thanet RC | 1 | 20 | 16 | 1:20:16 | 65:45 | Vet | ||
| 37 | Lesley Newman | Ashford Whs | 1 | 25 | 32 | 1:25:32 | 74:15 | WVet | RB | |
| Andy Grant | Chelmer CC | DNF | DNF | – | Vet | |||||
| David Hampton | Ashford Whs | Dns | DNS | DNS | DNS | – | Vet | |||
| Paul Burrows | Thanet RC | DNS | DNS | DNS | – | Vet | RB | |||
| Michael Philpot | Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA | DNS | DNS | DNS | – | Vet | ||||
| Gregory Woodford | Reading CC | DNS | DNS | DNS | – | Vet | ||||
| Jamie Harris | Wigmore CC | DNS | DNS | DNS | – | Sen | ||||
| Antony Bee | Wigmore CC | DNS | DNS | DNS | – | Vet | ||||
Women
| Rank | Rider | Club | Time | vs Std | Cat | ||
| 1 | Rebecca Wilson | Rye & District Wheelers CC | 1:16:57 | 66:20 | WVet | ||
| 2 | Lesley Newman | Ashford Whs | 1:25:32 | 74:15 | WVet | RB | |
Road bikes
| Rank | Rider | Club | Time | RB | Gender |
| 1 | Tim Kingston | GS Invicta-Eye Level Optical-Herbert Cycles | 1:04:04 | Road Bike | Male |
| 2 | Fraser Blandford | Medway Velo Club | 1:13:14 | Road Bike | Male |
| 3 | Lesley Newman | Ashford Whs | 1:25:32 | Road Bike | Female |
| Paul Burrows | Thanet RC | DNS | Road Bike | Male |
2ups
| Rank | Start No. | Start Time | Rider | club | Time | Cat | gender | |
| 1 | 5 | 07:06 | Nick Wilson | Rye & District Wheelers CC | 0:55:40 | 2Up | Male | |
| 1 | Steve Gooch | Rye & District Wheelers CC | 2Up | Male | ||||
| 2 | 3 | 07:04 | Tom Rowing | Abellio-SFA RT | 1:10:23 | 2Up | RB | Male |
| 2 | 07:02 | Grace Dent | San Fairy Ann CC | 2Up | Female | |||
| 3 | 4 | 07:04 | Rachel Hartridge | Medway Velo Club | 1:00:08 | 2Up | RB | Female |
| 6 | 07:06 | Sally Smith | Medway Velo Club | 2Up | Female | |||
Overall General Classification or Open 10 and Open 25
| Rank | Start No. | Rider | Club | Gender | 10mi Time | 25mi Time | Combined Time |
| 1 | 51 | Nicholas Fennell | Thanet RC | Male | 20:24 | 0:51:03 | 1:11:27 |
| 2 | 46 | Mark Hill | VeloRefined Rule 5 | Male | 22:04 | 0:55:34 | 1:17:38 |
| 3 | 14 | Mathew Lister | Thanet RC | Male | 22:39 | 0:57:32 | 1:20:11 |
| 4 | 45 | Simon Henderson | Thanet RC | Male | 23:01 | 0:57:16 | 1:20:17 |
| 5 | 16 | James Harrison | Hythe Cycling Club | Male | 24:32 | 1:03:12 | 1:27:44 |
| 6 | 35 | Michael Coulter | Gravesend CC | Male | 27:43 | 1:09:24 | 1:37:07 |
| 7 | 18 | Andy Burrows | Thanet RC | Male | 32:14 | 1:20:16 | 1:52:30 |
| 13 | Paul Burrows | Thanet RC | Male | 22:10 | DNS | ||
| 44 | Antony Bee | Wigmore CC | Male | 23:28 | DNS |
Solo – TT bikes
| Pos | Rider | Club | Time | Points |
| 1 | Matt Nunn | MVC | 24:19 | 4 |
| 2 | Cameron Carthew | Wigmore CC | 25:49 |
Solo – Road Bikes
| Pos | Rider | Club | Time | Points |
| 1 | Kieran Lawlor | MVC | 25:40 | 3 |
| 2 | Fraser Blandford | MVC | 28:59 | 2 |
| 3 | Rachel Hartridge | MVC | 29:14 | 1 |
Club series standings after 2 events
Overall
| 1 | Jon Graciano | 6 |
| 2 | Keiran Lawlor | 8 |
| 3 | Fraser Blandford | 6 |
| 4 | Matt Nunn | 4 |
| 5 | Nigel Wharton | 3 |
| 6 | Simon Tucker | 2 |
| 7 | Charlie Bruce | 1 |
| 8 | Rachel Hartridge | 1 |
Road bikes
| 1 | Jon Graciano | 6 |
| 2 | Keiran Lawlor | 8 |
| 3 | Fraser Blandford | 6 |
| 4 | Nigel Wharton | 3 |
| 5 | Simon Tucker | 2 |
| 6 | Rachel Hartridge | 1 |
TT bikes
| 1 | Matt Nunn | 4 |
| 2 | Charlie Bruce | 1 |
Another busy weekend of competitive action for the velo saw them promote the first of their two open time trials of the season.
Taking place on the flat course on the Isle of Grain, and without the usual strong winds, 40 riders were on the start sheet with separate categories for road bikes and time trial bikes in line with the new CTT guidelines. Nick Fennell (Thanet RC) took the overall victory in a time of 20:24, coming home 30 seconds ahead of Sam Thienel (Elysium Kalas RT) with third place Alex Pearson (Woolwich CC) claiming the final spot on the podium with 21:55. The evergreen Charlie Bruce represented the velo and came home in under 30 minutes for the first time this season with a time of 29:59.
The women’s race saw young gun Emily Tanner (Woolwich CC) take the win on her road bike in a time of 27:09, local rider Debbie Percival (Kent Velo Girls / boys) taking second just 11 seconds behind Tanner. Velo’s Sally Smith, also on her road bike took third woman in 28:15 with another Woolwich rider Rianna Mahoney on fourth.
The Thanet RC claimed their second victor with Paul Burrows taking the win in the road bike category in a time of 22:10, which was also enough to take fifth place overall, whilst the fastest tandem was Anthony Whale (Gravesend CC) and Jeremy Parker (Blue Light CC).
Well done to all those who rode, and organiser Matt Nunn would also like to thank the following volunteers from the velo who marshalled and helped at the event: Rachel Hartridge, David Mackey, Rob Kennison, Rodney Kennison, Phil Booth, Michael Stanley and Kieran Lawlor.
On Sunday road racer Jon Graciano competed in the Ken Wright Memorial Circuit Race organise by the BMCR held in Colchester. Whilst Jon says he is still working on his fitness he still had a good race, taking to the front with two laps to go, and finishing just inside the top 15.
Well done Jon, and thanks to all the organisers at VC Revolution and helpers.
Friday 12th May saw the unveiling of a plaque remembering velo founding member Vic Williams who sadly passed away in 2022.
Some of his friends, family and club mates gathered at Bethersden village with representation from the KCA and CTT as well as the velo a reminder of the great number of roles he filled and organisations he served in a lifetime dedicated to cycling.
Thank you to club Vice President Geoff Wiles for organising, and for bringing along the first velo jersey to be produced, as well as a Medway Road Club jersey.
RIP Vic.
A message from club Vice President, Geoff Wiles
Friday 12th of May will be the unveiling of the plaque on a seat at Bethersden village hall (TN26 3AF) to commemorate the life and service of Vic Williams. Vic, or Rivets as he was also known, was always prepared to give his time to the Medway Road Club, the Medway Velo Club and Kent cycling to ensure the enjoyment for us all. I propose gathering at 11:30am, unveiling the plaque by Wendy at 12:00 noon.
The long bank holiday weekend got underway with the first velo evening 10 of the year.
Ten riders gathered across three categories, with velo’s Jon Graciano taking the overall win on his road bike in a time of 24:37, over a minute clear o the next riders, the Dartford RC pair of Euan Tuohy and Jack Wade who were the only entrants in the two up category. Other velo riders taking part were Keiran Lawlor (26:13), Fraser Blandford (27:16), Nigel Wharton (28:27), Simon Tucker (29:55) and Charlie Bruce (30:34). Two riders from Wigmore CC filled up the remaining places with Cameron Carthew (26:30) on his road bike and Dave Wastell the fastest rider on a TT bike (26:20).
Jon Graciano also repped the velo colours in the Pilgrims Hospice sportive on Sunday.
Elsewhere Matt Nunn was the sole velo in the Wigmore CC Bill Philbrook memorial 25 on Sunday, however his race came to an unfortunate end due to a puncture, although he was on for a good time having covered the first 10 miles in just under 23 minutes.
Club event standings after 1 race
Overall
| 1 | Jon Graciano | 6 |
| 2 | Keiran Lawlor | 5 |
| 3 | Fraser Blandford | 4 |
| 4 | Nigel Wharton | 3 |
| 5 | Simon Tucker | 2 |
| 6 | Charlie Bruce | 1 |
Road bikes
| 1 | Jon Graciano | 6 |
| 2 | Keiran Lawlor | 5 |
| 3 | Fraser Blandford | 4 |
| 4 | Nigel Wharton | 3 |
| 5 | Simon Tucker | 2 |
TT bikes
| 1 | Charlie Bruce | 1 |
Medway Velo Cycling Club 