Preview: Medway Velo’s North Downs Hilly TT

Fourty riders will be battling it out to be crowned Medway Velo’s North Downs Hilly Time Trial winner this Sunday, 25 March 2018.

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Preview: Medway Velo’s North Downs Hilly TT

Fourty riders will be battling it out to be crowned Medway Velo’s North Downs Hilly Time Trial winner this Sunday, 25 March.

The 22-mile non-standard event was lost from the calendar in recent years. It was greatly missed by many, including previous participant and Medway Velo rider Steve Smith (pictured) so he decided to do something about it, he said: ‘The event is a classic, over a hilly course starting in Challock taking in both Molash and Charing hill. It bucks the trend of the usual flat 10 and 25-mile courses popular with time trial riders and aims to provide racers with a unique challenge.’
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There is a strong field of riders with some of the best time trial riders in the region entering. Chris Fennell, who rides for The Independent Pedaler, is the fastest man on paper having previously completed 10-miles in 19mins 1sec. However fierce competition will be coming from Neil Lauder of PMR and Seb Dickson of Thanet RC both of whom post sub-20-minute 10’s. Chris’s brother Nick Fennell is also one to watch and has a good chance at the podium.

Emma Lewis of Fusion RT Veloperformance will not only certainly take the win for the ladies event, but will also be in with a realistic shout of a top 10 finish should all go to plan. In 2015 Medway Velo’s Louise Mason broke the course record finishing in 56.04, a time Emma will undoubtedly have in her sights.

Steve Smith is the current club champion over the distance for the Medway Velo. In 2016 he took 4th place overall finishing the gruelling event in 54mins 17secs. As he will be organising and not racing the 2018 event will produce a new Medway Velo Champion. Rob Kennison is proving to be a good choice for this as he has been showing excellent form this season. However his son Jacob has been going very well at the track and will be in contention for taking the title from his Dad.

Steve added: ‘The only thing that may scupper what is looking to be a great event is the sudden emergence of roadworks on the course. It may be that we have to alter the course slightly, so riders are asked to monitor the Medway Velo Facebook page and their emails for updates.’

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