MATTHEW Thompson won Rugby Racing Cycling Club’s inaugural Rugby Flyer – a 25-mile memorial challenge event.
Thompson, from Rugby, claimed victory in a time of 55 minutes 43 seconds and was one of just three riders to achieve sub-one-hour times along with Edward Delville-Jones (56:53) and Ellis Pullinger (58:17).
The time trial event is open to anyone riding a standard road bike and takes place in memory of former club member Ralph Dougherty – also known as ‘The Rugby Flyer’.
Thompson said: “It was great to take part in this commemorative event, going under the hour is a big achievement and I’m very pleased that I won.”
Ralph’s grandson, Andrew, presented prizes and brought along his grandfather’s original bike.
Andrew said: “My grandfather would have been so proud that this event has taken place and delighted that his original bike was similar in weight to today’s more advanced bikes.”
Rugby Racing Cycling Club chairman, Martin Orrill, added: “We had over 30 entries from across the region and the racing was very competitive.
“But we’re very pleased that one of our younger club members was victorious. Now we need to set a date for next year’s event.”
Ralph made competition history in 1939 by becoming the first cyclist to ‘beat the hour’ on English roads when he won the Solihull Cycling Club 25-mile time trial in 59 mins 29 secs.
Full Results
Matthew Thompson (55:43), Edward Delville-Jones (56:53), Ellis Pullinger (58:17), Hywel Davies (1:01:49), Jonathan Durnin (1:02:12), Tom Walker (1:02:47), Paolo Coppo (1:02:53), Edward Tarelli (1:02:53), Vicky Nealon (1:02:56), Andy Poulton (1:03:20), Jack Stewardson (1:03:27), Matthew Acton-Varian (1:04:43), Phil Scott (1:04:50), Andy Dean (1:05:57), Guy Sanders (1:06:32), James Gibbs (1:07:20), Rob Stilgoe (1:07:51), Peter Wright (1:09:03), Simon Ward (1:09:33), James Daly (1:11:33), Jason Gibson (1:12:26), Mike Smallwood (1:13:19), Kenny Catlow (1:14:06), Simon Brand (1:16:09), Ian Robinson (1:17:53), Tony Johnson (1:25:56).
