A cloudburst fell around Driffield just before the start of the Ely 2-up but missed Beverley completely, and a slight wind made for a good fast day for the 24 mile team time trial. As Neil Cleminshaw was not partnered with another Hull Thursday member the trophy winner, the fastest Hull Thursday team, was a little more unpredictable; at least three pairs in the running. To predict the overall winner was a little more difficult with the Swift pairs of Wainman and Surtees or Whareham and Beldon both a good bet. My money would have been on Ashley Brown and Adam Duggleby because I always predict good roadmen to beat good testers in team time trials. I was nearly right.

When Steve Guymer and Karl Downes  came by me with a time still under 50 minutes (I was about a minute short of the finish) my suspicion of a fast day was confirmed. Of course this is a good ride and they set a brilliant time of 50:53 to be beaten. Within three minutes Jason Young and Dave Hudson returned only a minute slower – we don’t see Dave so much these days since he moved to Driffield and I’d no idea how well he’d be going. Five minutes later the Swift team of Joel Wainman and John Surtees brought the leading time down to 49:25

Up to now most of the times returned were sub-hour ones, not bad for March, but when the Sportcover pair John Tanner and Colin Humphrey returned with a sub 48 minute ride the bar was raised substantially. Simon Beldon and Alastair Wareham came in with a 49:44 – not good enough – and then Ashley Brown and Adam Duggleby returned 49:17 – a little better but still not good enough.

The fastest Hull Thursday pair to take the George Ely trophy was Paul Kilvington and Mark Dicconson who beat Andy Carroll and Mark Walker by just 22 seconds.

I was right about my roadmen v testers principle but I picked the wrong pair. What a superb ride by Tanner and Humphrey – well over a minute margin to the next team. If this is not a record for this course then it must be very near it.

Jim Sampson

Result of George Ely 2-up Team Time Trial   Saturday 17^th March 2012

*Includes 1 minute late start penalty

1^st Composite:  Neil Cleminshaw & Mark Robinson

1^st Mixed Pair:   Alan Bayston & Lucy Khan

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