Archives 1994

Brooks is off to a flier

Marston Magna’s time trial ace Clive Brooks opened his new seasons account with an emphatic win in the St Budeaux 25 on the A38 in South Devon last Saturday.
The strong cross wind made conditions far from ideal but Brooks stormed round in 53.37, just 38 seconds outside his own record and well over three minutes clear of VC Camelot teammate Keith Vale, who was second in 57.15. CS Purbeck rider James Cusden was third with 58.05.
Stoke-sub-Hamdon rider Catherine Fraser (Exeter Wheelers) started number 13 and clocked 1-13.13. She was unlucky, finishing third behind Wellington's Jane Parsons (1.7.46).
Yeovil CCs Martin Bailey finished well up the handicap section in the Circuit of Poole Harbour Classic over 26.5 miles. He recorded 1-11.22.

19th March 1994

Northcott recovers from early setback

Yeovil cyclists enjoyed mixed fortunes last weekend at Barnsfield Heath circuit near Ringwood.
Douglas Northcott pulled his wheel over against the frame at the start of the 20k under 16 race but managed to finish fifth.
Yeovil veteran Nick Armstrong was first away in the days main event, a handicap race for all categories.
Following Armstrong were third category riders Martin Bailey, Dave Ryan, Chris Fendt and former Yeovil rider Patrick Mahon. The scratch riders were led by Salisbury professional Harry Lodge.
In the time trials, VC Camelot’s Clive Brooks suffered a burst tyre his partner Chris Ball lost his chain.
The pair recorded a time of 21.18 losing out to winners Leo RCs team of Gary Dighton and Andy Cook.
Stoke-sub-Hamdon pair Brimecombe and Catherine Fraser clocked 26.01.

17th March 1993

Cyclists’ deadline

Cyclists have until 11 April to enter the Southern Area Time Trial Championships at Merryfield Aerodrome, Ilton, near Ilminster. Under nine, 11, and 13 age groups will compete in the English Schools Cycling Association event on 23 April.

April 1994

All clogged up

MARK Dycers bike became so clogged with mud it was unrideable as the Castle Cary rider competed in the under 16s Western Area English Schools Cycling Association Championship at Churchill on Sunday. Somerton’s Douglas Northcott twisted his ankle on the rough ground.
But Dycers younger brother Greg overcame deep mud to win the under 13 championship.
The effects of flu put an end to Clive Brooks chances of winning the Sotonia 10 at Thruxton on Saturday. The VC Camelot rider was leading at all check points but lost first place over the last two miles, finishing third to winner Gary Dighton.
At Castle Coombe in a 50k race for third cat seniors, Corscombe farmer Mike Dennis set the pace. But Dave Ryan finished Yeovil’s best placed ride followed by Nick Armstrong and Martin Bailey

24th March 1994

CYCLING enthusiast Phillip Marshall was the winner of a 45-mile cycling marathon in a gruelling three lap race between Yeovil and Ilchester. Our picture shows him being presented with his trophy and a cheque for £70 by Dr Tony Marriott, managing direr of Pittards, which has sponsored the race for around 30 years.

5th May 1994

Ham Hill Races

YEOVIL Cycling Club play host to more than 100 riders from all over the South West on Sunday when they stage the Ham Hill Road Race.
The event begins at Bucklers Mead sports centre consists of a four-lap 60 mile course which take in Ilchester, Queen Camel, Marston Magna, Mudford and Yeovil.
Cyclists set off at 10 am and should finish in Combe Street Lane, Yeovil, between 12.30 pm and 1 pm.
The three-lap 45 mile Pittards Road Race is also staged by Yeovil CC on the same day.
Riders set off from Bucklers Mead at 10.45 am and are due to finish in Combe Street Lane between 12.30 pm and 1 pm.

24th March 1994

Hunt wins Ham Hill Trophy

IN a sprint to the line international cyclist Jeremy Hunt beat off five Challengers to win Yeovil’s 60- mile Ham Hill Trophy senior event on Sunday.
Hunt, from CC Giro, won the race by half a length from Matt Rogers (Team Total Fitness). Hunts teammate Chris King took third from another Total Fitness man, David Rutty.
Heron RC’s Rob Lyne was fifth and first year senior Danny Axford (VC Venta) sixth. Yeovil’s Chris Absolom was the only local man and finished 19th in a field of 60.
The junior Pittard Trophy was another hard fought race with the field stretching out every time on Coppitts Hill. On the last of the three laps six men went clear and Phillip Marshall from Bath powered away from Wellingtons Jamie Fabrizio and James Taylor (Heron RC).
James Bean (Evesham) took fourth from Wembleys Nick Tilling and Chris Morton (IPM Racing). The team title went to Mid-Devon RC.
Martin Bailey was Yeovil’s top rider claiming 19th place. Other town finishers were minor spill victim Gareth Evan and Chris Fendt.
Local time trialists hopes of fast times were dashed by cold winds as they raced on an Oxfordshire course.
Returning to form was Clive Brooks of VC Camelot who clocked the third best time of 53 minutes 12 seconds, just 37 seconds behind winner Dave Willetts (Birchfield CC). Team mate Keith Vale and Stoke-sub-Hamdon pair Alan Brimecombe and Catherine Fraser put in good times.

31st March 1994

Camelot’s Clive pips pro Harry

APPALLING weather forced cyclists to work extra hard in time trials and races over the Easter holiday period.
Fridays Western Time Trial Association 25 at Kington Langley saw VC Camelot’s Clive Brooks finish second on 55.40, 28 seconds behind winner Nick Gardener of Optimum Performance RT.
Italian based professional Harry Lodge from Salisbury claimed third spot with Ansford veteran Jim Bartlett clocking 1.14.08.
The following day cyclists took a trip to Budlake, Devon to compete in two ten mile events.
The Exeter Triathlon Club event was won by Andrew Maclean (Team Zoyland) with 23.17 ahead of the 23.31 achieved by VC Camelot’s Keith Vale.
Teammate Linda Blackwell rode well recording 26.58 to take second place in the ladies race behind Wellingtons Jane Parsons.
At Devizes in Wiltshire, Brooks was third in the Trowbridge CC event clocking 21.53 as Richard Prebble of Wembley RC was the fastest rider on 21.08.
Lodge came fourth and his poor form can probably be put down to a 500 miles a week training schedule blunting his speed as he prepares to
ride in the Tour of Spain in three weeks.
Other riders competing were Martin Bailey (Yeovil CC) 26.01, Bill Dycer (VC Camelot) 26.52 and Bartlett (Frome and District) 28.33.
Bank Holiday Monday witnessed another spell of bad weather for the Exeter Wheelers Hilly 24. Yeovil veteran roadman Nick Armstrong enjoys hilly time trials and he proved his liking for this cycling test winning both fastest veteran and veteran on age standard awards with a time of 1.11.03.
Yeovil CCs other entrants in a field of 42 were Gareth Evans in 14th place on 1.08.34 and Bailey 1.14.40. First year senior Jamie Fabrizio of
Wellington Wheelers won with an excellent 1.01.26.

7th April 1994

Brooks back on winning path

VC Camelot’s Clive Brooks returned to winning ways with a fine performance in the Wellington Wheelers ten-mile time trial.
The popular Bridgwater Flats course attracted 100 riders but a strong and chilling NE wind kept times down for all but the fittest.
Brooks averaged more than 28.5 mph to clock 20.57 nearly a minute better than Adrian Rowley (G S Vitesse) 21.53. Dave Bentley (VC St Raphael) was third recording 22.16 and Camelot’s Keith Vale fourth with 22.30.
VC Camelot also won the ladies section with Linda Blackwell scoring her first win in an open time trial clocking 27.59. Yeovils Douglas Northcott was third placed juvenile with 25.35.
Other local competitors included Alan Brimecombe (VC Camelot) 24.43, Danny Ellery (VCC) 24.59, and Stuart Wroot (YCC) 25.15
Yeovil CCs evening time trial series of 20 events on Thursdays begins tonight (14 April) with a ten mile race starting at 7pm on the A303 at Camel Hill.

14th April 1994

Antell pips 15 rivals, and the cold wind

SIXTEEN riders fought a cold wind in the opening event of Yeovil’s Evening Time Trial series on the 10 mile Camel Hill to Ilchester and back course.
Chard Wheeler Mark Antell, last seasons most successful rider in the series, was fastest clocking 22.12.
Mendip CC pair Dave Russell 22.39 and Gary Fouracre 23.01 were close behind. Gareth Evans led the home club in fourth with 23.45.
Road works faced the Plymouth Corinthian 25 on Saturday to be changed to 10 miles and the stand by course proved very hard. Starting on top of the hill at Drum Bridges on the A38 riders were buffeted by a strong cross to head wind
spoiling the advantage of the downhill and many found the return leg difficult. Winner Clive Brooks (VC Camelot) clocked 22 minutes exactly and described the race as the hardest 10 he had ridden.
A long way back was triathlete Richard Hobson who took second on 23.49. Camelot’s Keith Vale was fifth 24.09 and Yeovil’s Gareth Evans tenth 24.43.
Sundays Bournemouth Jubilee Veteran 25 saw winner Bob Jones (Team Sabre) the only rider to get under a hour with best local rider Alan Brimecombe clocking 1.02.14.

21st April 1994

In-form Brooks records an impressive double win

CLIVE Brooks of VC Camelot is dominating time trials notching up another victory in the Bristol South 10 at Axbridge.
His winning time of 20.45 left teammate Keith Vale trailing in second on 22.16. Alan Brimecombe clocked 23.26 to ensure Camelot won the team award.
Stokes Catherine Fraser (Exeter Whls) won the ladies section on 27.12. Other riders competing were Cary’s Bill Dycer (VCC) and Jim Bartlett (Frome).
Sunday mornings Bournemouth Arrow 25 in the Ferndown and Wimborne area saw Brooks claim top spot by nearly two minutes. He clocked 53.45 ahead of Salisbury’s Lee Paxton (Antelope RT) and Chard Wheeler Mark Antell 57.06. Antell had shown his good form in winning Yeovil’s Time Trial for the second consecutive week achieving 22.05 for ten miles. Mendips Gary Fouracre was second in 22.29 ahead of Marcus Bridges (Charlottville CC) from Bath who clocked a personal best 22.46.
Robin Ayres (Chard Whls) was fifth 23.13 with best ride of the evening coming from 15-year-old Douglas Northcott (Yeovil CC) of Somerton who improved well over a minute to record 23.14 in sixth.
On Saturday the airfield circuit was the venue for four races covering all categories. Interest centred on the third Cat event of 50k with seven Yeovil riders starting.
In a strong wind on the exposed circuit riders had to keep well up in the bunch or risk losing contact when gaps opened on the harder stretches. This is exactly what happened and only Chris Absolom, Gareth Evans and veteran Nick Armstrong remained in the leading group. A seven man break went away but the locals missed it.
Heron Road Clubs Adrian Clode took first place with Absolom 12th, Evans 17th and Armstrong 18th.
Absolom rode well on the following day in the Buckland Road Race over 60 hilly miles near Frome. A six man breakaway group had been chased down until only two remained but they held a narrow lead at the finish. Absolom took the sprint for third place by inches from reigning junior road and sprint champion James Taylor (Heron CC).
Armstrong partnered by Stuart Wroot travelled to Bovington for the 70k Poole Wheeler Road Race which was open to first, second and third Cat riders. The race was run at more than 25 mph with the first cats setting the pace. Delta Race Team rider Geoff Giddings won with Wroot, who had not ridden a race of this distance before, in 22nd place and Armstrong 27th in a field of 60.
Castle Cary mountain biking brothers Mark and Greg Dycer rode well in the youth event of the Morgan Haynes Challenge races at Colyton in East Devon.| Mark (15) won the two-lap race and Greg
(13) did well to finish fourth.

28th April 1994

TAKING IT EASY: Yeovil CC members Andrew Tearle, left, and Douglas Northcott, prepare to race in Saturdays English Schools Cycling Association Southern Circuit Championships at RNAS Merryfield near Ilton

28th April 1994

A holiday double for Brooks

KING of the time trials, Marston Magna’s Clive Brooks continued his winning run clocking up a double success over the holiday weekend.
The Mid Devon 10 at Buckfastleigh provided Brooks with a victory on Saturday afternoon as he recorded 20.32 and landed a £20 prize for breaking the course record. His club VC Camelot took the team award with Keith Vale in third spot on 21.59 and Alan Brimecombe clocking 23.05. Yeovil’s Stuart Wroot recorded 24.05 and Stoke’s Catherine Fraser 26.50.
Sunday mornings Crabwood 25 in the New Forest started at 6.30am with racers facing chilly conditions. Roadworks near Ringwood have caused changes to several popular courses in the area and
this 25 was very hard with a turn at the foot of Poulner Hill causing riders to climb back up without a run at the hill and into the wind.
Brooks came out on top recording 55.31 beating national kilometer champion Rob Hayles who clocked 56.05 'and former Olympian Gary Dighton 57.40.
The fastest Yeovil Club 10 this year occurred on Thursday with Mark Antell (Chard Whls) completing a hat-tack of wins clocking 21.23 beating off the challenge of runners up Mendip’s Gary Fouracre
21.36 and third place Brimecombe 22.08.
Youngster Douglas Northcott again impressed knocking 55 seconds off his personal best to clock 22.19 in fourth place and was Yeovil’s best rider. A personal best was also recorded by Yeovil’s Martin
Bailey at 23.58

5th May 1994

Clive Brooks is so close to Welsh title

CLIVE Brooks of VC Camelot went close to claiming the Welsh 25 mile title but missed out on first place by only 30 seconds.
But Brooks sterling performance spearheaded VC Camelot into first place in the team event as he was well backed up by Keith Vale and Alan Brimecombe.
The Welsh Cycling Association staged their championship on the Raglan-Abergavenny road in good conditions, but the hostswere out of luck.
Darren Willets of Birmingham’s Birchfield CC took the individual honours in a time of 52 minutes 49 seconds.
Brooks was runner-up in 53 mins 19 secs and another Midland rider, Alan Maybe of Elizabethan CC, was third in 54 mins Vale (57 mins 1 sec) and Brimecombe (59 mins 29 secs) helped Brooks scoop top honours in the team category.
On the same morning, Yeovil’s Gareth Evans came within 15 seconds of notching his first open time trial victory in Bournemouth and District Womens CA 25 miler at Ferndown.
'Recording an impressive time of 57 mins 54 secs, he was runner-up to relatively unknown rider A. Murray, of the oddly named Team Wannabee. Murray’s winning time was 57 mins 40 secs.
Yeovil’s evening time trial organiser Andy Pugsley had to disappoint six teams who had travelled from as far as Radstock for last Thursdays team time trial. The rain and resulting spray on the A303 road would have made the event unsafe to stage.

12th May 1994

Camelot’s Clive BrookS masters the conditions

ROAD works and heavy rain affected the Andover Wheelers 25-mile time trial on Saturday but Clive Brooks mastered the conditions to win two minutes ahead of his nearest rival.
The VC Camelot racer clocked 53.14 to beat off challenger Gary Dighton of Leo Road Club who recorded 55.18.
Salisbury’s Lee Paxton (Antelope RT) clocked 55.53 and Yeovil’s Gareth Evans continued his good run of form forcing his way into the top ten with 58.42. Ansford veteran Jim Bartlett came home on 1.09.12.
Yeovils leading roadman Chris Absolom is charging up the rankings thanks to. a third place in the 50-mile Clevedon and District road race at Nailsea.
Absolom needs only four points to become a second category rider. The step up to First Cat is much harder with 45 more points required from higher class of event.
Ex-First Category rider Neil Brook (Team Zoyland) won the race as his road racing comeback strikes success. Yeovil’s Martin Bailey found the course too hard and retired after losing contact with the main field.

19th May 1994

Camelots Clive Brooks is in a class of his own

PROLIFIC Clive Brooks of VC Camelot continued his domination of West Country time trifling with two more wins last weekend.
On Saturday evening the seeded late starters in the Weston-super-Mare 10 on the Bridgwater Flats had to contend with heavy rain but Brooks romped home in 20.54, nearly a minute in front of Team Zoyland’s veteran Dave Barnes on 21.47. Alan Brimecombe (VC Camelot) clocked 23.31 and Catherine Fraser (Exeter Whls) 27.10.
Brooks rode his first 50 of the season on Sunday morning in the Bristol South CC event on the Gloucester road. He totally outclassed the opposition recording 1.49.09 to beat the course record set by great time trialist Phill Griffiths in 1970. He was also more than six minutes better than second place P Vincent of Bath CC. The conditions on the undulating course were very wet as Ansford’s Jim Bartlett clocked 2.21.37.
Drawing attention to himself in Yeovil’s evening 25 was 15-year-old Douglas Northcott who was seventh in 59.34 remarkable for a youngster. Many cyclists try for years to break the magic hour and this was the young cycling stars first attempt at the 25. The conditions were deceptive as a cool east wind helped riders on the way out and then died away on the return leg with six of the 18 riders recording personal bests.
Chard Wheeler Mark Antell was fastest with 55.56 as Mendip CC riders Gary Fouracre 56.35 and Dave Russell 56.58 both recorded personal bests. Teammate Alan Salmon claimed fifth place on 57.26. Yeovil’s best finisher was Gareth Evans in fourth on 57.15. Other top placings came from Chards Rob Ayres in sixth on 57.52 which was another personal best taking him ahead of Martin Bailey 1.01.05 and Chris Burton 1.05.38.
Local massed start riders did not do so well as the time trialists with best placing going to Yeovil’s Nick Armstrong in sixth at the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists 49-mile event in Severn Stoke, Worcester.
Chris Absolom was ninth in a 60- mile race for second and third category riders in Devon. Evans was unplaced in a mass finish on the Castle Combe circuit.

26th May 1994

Thruxton trip sees another record for Camelots Brooks

RIDERS rate the Thruxton nd Andover course as potentially very fast and conditions for Saturdays Crabwood CC 10 on the course were near perfect for quick times. The only drawbacks were a cool temperature and a light breeze in the wrong direction.
Prolific Clive Brooks of VC Camelot won the competition in a personal best time of 19.48 which shattered his old record by eight seconds.
Brooks enters next weeks National 25 title race at Marlow in confident mood after a string of successes.
Yeovil CCs rising star from Somerton, Douglas Northcott, broke another personal best to win the under 16 award thanks to a time of 22.05.
Keith Vale from VC Camelot clocked 21.04 while Alan Brirnecombe 22.22 and Catherine Fraser 24.50 tried hard.
Racers had an early start on Sunday in the Poole Wheelers 10 along the A35 Canford Heath to Bakers Arms Road with action starting at 6.30am.
Number one spot went again to Brooks on 20.24 as he beat off the challenge of Gary Dighton 20.43 from Leo Road Club.
The team title went to VC Camelot with Brimecombe clocking 22.45 and Danny Ellery 23.36. Local ladies Fraser and Pat Ellery recorded 26.09 and 27.24 respectively.
Yeovil CCs Thursday evening time trial had a new winner this week with Somer Valley rider Nigel Winter journeying from Radstock for the first time this year and he returned home a winner. His 22.04 just edged out Chard Wheeler Mark Antell and Mendips Gary Fouracre who tied in second place with 22.09. Yeovil’s Gareth Evans was fourth in 22.23 while Dave Russell came fifth 22.44.

2nd June 1994

Slowed by chippings

CLIVE Brooks was in record-breaking mood when he returned to the fast Thruxton 10 course last Saturday, but large chippings prevented him from smashing another personal best. The course has been resurfaced leaving it very rough and taking the edge off riders speed.
The VC Camelot rider still came up with a 30mph ride clocking 19.57 which is nine seconds outside his best. Pushing him hard was in-form Dave Redding who finished ten seconds in arrears.
The team award went to Camelot thanks to the rides of Keith Vale 21.50 and John Saunders 23.39.
Other local riders were Bill Dycer 24.30. and Catherine Fraser 25.24.
On Sunday morning Brooks was in devastating form winning the Clevedon and District 50 on the difficult Bridgwater Flats course in an incredible 1.49.50. Seven minutes and 33 seconds behind was second place Dave Barnes (Team Zoyland) and Mike Potter (Weston Whls) came in third more than nine minutes slower.
VC Camelot veteran Danny Ellery rode his first 50 since 1978 and was pleased to clock 2.17.18. Jim Bartlett, age 62, from Ansford, recorded a respectable 2.17.35. Debutant Linda Blackwell (VC
Camelot) clocked 2.29.28 in her first 50.

16th June 1994

Camelot’s Clive: eighth in nationals

MARSTON Magna’s Clive Brooks (VC Camelot) is elated with his performance in Sunday mornings Nationa1 25 Championship.
He finished equal eighth, clocking 52.39 in a field of 120 top time trialists. His previous best was 11th in 1991.
New champion Richard Prebble from Cheltenham is a Wembley Road Club rider. He took the crown from media star Chris Boardman MBE, who held the title for the last five years.
Local action on Saturday afternoon saw Yeovil CC’s Douglas Northcott record his first open time trial victory in the Frome and District 10 at Nunney Catch.
Douglas clocked an excellent 22.13 to beat Andy Cook of Leo RCS who recorded 22.23. Gareth Evans was third 22.42 and VC Camelot’s Alan Brimecombe finished with 22.49.
Yeovil took the team award, with Martin Bailey coming home on 24.31 to complete the team. Fastest lady was Stoke’s Catherine Fraser with 26.42. Other local cyclists were John Saunders (VC Camelot)
24.40 and Nick Young (Yeovil CC) 25.17.
Chris Absolom was Yeovil’s only representative in the Western Division Road Race Championship over 95 miles near Swindon on Sunday. After losing ground on one of the last climbs, Absolom finished 17th but was satisfied with his performance among the regions top roadmen.
Earlier in the week Absolom had shown good tactical awareness in winning a training event at Merryfield airfield near Ilton.
In a time trial event Chard Wheelers pair Mark Antell and Rob Ayres were fastest clocking 21.49. Yeovil CC teams, Evans and Northcott (22.18) and Absolom and Hayter (22.54) were followed by partners Steve Paul (Heron RC) and Stuart Wroot (Yeovil CC) 23.28.

9th June 1994

Rising star endures mixed fortunes

VC CAMELOT’S Clive Brooks continued his assault on West Country time trials records when he produced a staggering time of 52.59 minutes on the popular Bridgwater Flats course run on the A38 from Axbridge to Dunball and back.
The Weston Wheelers 25 mile event attracted a full field of 120 riders on a breezy evening and Brooks was over three minutes clear of Cheltenham’s John Gregory (56.28) and third-placed Dave Barnes, the Team Zoyland veteran who clocked 56.41.
Yeovil’s Gareth Evans finished in the top ten recording 58.53 and team mate Nick Young 1.04.55. The other VC Camelot times were Alan Brimecombe 1.00.32, veteran John Saunders 1.01.50 and Linda
Blackwell 1.12.30. Ansford veteran Jim Bartlett (Frome and District) clocked 1.06.35.
Yeovil’s young star Douglas Northcott had mixed fortunes last weekend. In Fridays Cheltenham and County 10 near Dursley he was faster than the top junior under-18 when he won the juvenile under-16 award with 23.34.
Juvenile Northcott was riding the course in preparation for the West District Schools final which will be run on the same course in three weeks time, from which he hopes to qualify for the national final.
But his luck ran out on Sunday in the Western Division juvenile circuit championship at Bristols Hengrove Park.
Northcott took the lead and after he had set a fast pace soon had the leading group down to four riders. But in the closing laps when a high place seemed in the bag, his rear tyre blew out. There was no time to change wheels before the finish.
Mid-week sport started with a new format in the Merryfield Airfield training event. The field was split with the bunch having a two minute start over an elite group who chased well and made contact with just four miles to go in the 25 mile race.
Thursdays Yeovil 10 mile time trial was a near clean sweep for the Somer Valley club who had five riders in the top six. Richard Scott won in 22.22 followed by Nick Bauldwin (22.42) and Nigel Winter (22.47). Mark Antell (Chard Wheelers) was fourth with 22.58 and Somer Valleys Mason and Hobbs clocked 22.59 and 23.19 respectively.
Evans was Yeovil’s fastest rider when he recorded 23.34 aboard a fixed wheel machine with the crouched, arms tucked position made famous by World one-hour record holder Graeme Obree.
Other notable rides came from Mike Tetley, of Stadbridge, who used a track pump to inflate his tyres to 100 psi for the first time and recorded 27.14 - an improvement of 1.25.
And Yeovil’s John Hayter, who clocked 25.36 on a mountain bike

23rd June 1994

Brooks hopes dashed by strong winds

HOPES of national honours ran high for Yeovils Clive Brooks in a 50-mile championship along the Gloucester Road course on the A38 north of Bristol.
He led the field at the first time check and was in third place at half-way.
However, on the return leg strong winds saw Brooks fade over the last few miles and he eventually finished in eighth place in 1 hour 52.54. minutes.
Brooks said afterwards he felt his speed was there but he did not have the stamina to cope with the tough conditions.
Cheltenham’s Richard Prebble (Wembley RC) added the 50 title to the 25 he won earlier this year when he finished strongly to record 1.50.02.
Prebble ended one minute clear of North Wirral Velo riders Stewart Dangerfield and Pete Longbottom, the silver and bronze medallists, respectively.

7th July 1994

Heavy cold didn’t stop Clive

DESPITE a heavy cold, and a late start, Clive Brooks won Yeovil Cycling Clubs 25 mile time triad on Sunday.
He recorded 53.53 which was more than three minutes ahead of runner-up Richard Scott 57.19 and third place Jonathan Warner 57.22 who both achieved personal bests.
The event attracted 91 entries with 20 riders breaking their personal best times.
Up and coming road racing star Dave Bentley tied with Welsh ace John Williams for fourth place recording 57.50 and Mendips Gary Fouracre was sixth with 58.11.
Russel Coles of Weston Wheelers clocked one hour exactly to win the best improvement award with Mike Potter 59.01 and John Hollier 59.41 took the team prize.
Edward Martin was fastest junior clocking 59.58 and Mid Devon’s Jane Bryant was fastest lady with 1.8.21.
Gareth .Evans was Yeovils best rider recording an excellent 58.27 on his fixed wheel machine. Other Yeovil riders were Nick Armstrong (1.4.14), Nick Young (1.4.39), Andy Newbury (1.5.06) and Martin Bailey (1.7.01).
VC Camelot veteran John Saunders clocked 1.2.02 and Linda Blackwell 1.11.43. Rob Ayres was Chards best rider on 59.36.
Somerton’s Douglas Northcott made the long journey to Skirlaugh near Hull for the English Schools National Championships.
The 10 mile time trial on Saturday was on an undulating technical course and Northcott clocked 23.50 for fith place

14th July 1994

Somertons Douglas is best in the west

SOMERTONS Douglas Northcott won the West District Schools Championship final on Saturday and goes forward into the national final on Humberside in September.
The course on the A38 near Whitminster, north of Bristol, was rough and times were down. Northcott’s 23.24 was good enough to beat Martin Bartlett 24.08 and Somer Valleys Mark Perry 24.09.
The first three automatically qualify for the national with Yeovil’s Andrew Tearle hoping to be accepted for the big event as one of the fastest finishers after coming fifth on 24.41.
Yeovil’s best result in the national final was in 1984 when Kier O’Donnell finished third, 43 seconds behind Britain’s Tour de France hero this month Chris Boardman.
VC Camelots Clive Brooks is still not recovered from a chest infection and recorded his slowest 25 of the season but 55.44 was enough to win the Hants Police Clubs event.
Held on the hilly A34 Winchester to newbury road in hot and Windy conditions. Brooks beat Salisbury’s Lee Paxton 56.32 and veteran John Woodburn, a former Lands End to John O’Groats record holder, third with 58.15.
Yeovils Gareth Evans continued his run of form with 59.25 in fifth and veteran John Saunders recorded 1.4.44.
Yeovil’s roadmen had a good weekend with team leader Chris Absolom in the prizes. Friday evenings Lloyd Coward Memorial Race on Portland was a tough 50km event which ended with victory for the CC Weymouth’s promising junior Simon Clarke from a two man break.
Absolom led the bunch in to take third with Alan Hayter 10th. Another Yeovil rider Patrick Mahon was also well placed and Martin Bailey close behind.
On Sunday Velo Club Taunton’s race on Merryfield airfield was a two stage event with a short 2.3 mile time trial and a 60 mile circuit race.
Yeovil’s team rode well in the circuit event with Absolom and Bailey getting into the winning breakaway move. Absolom again took third with Bailey 10th which was his best performance this year.
Armstrong finished in the bunch and Andy Newbury only lost contact in the closing miles.

21st July 1994

Jones clings to early lead in 82-mile road race

RIDERS in Yeovil cycling Clubs John Andrews Memorial road Race faced. a gruelling 82 miles which included five accents of Coppits Hill. And they did very well to average 25 miles per hour in humid weather conditions.
The pace was fast and furious from the outset with eventual winner Simon Jones, of CC Cardiff, breaking away with Keith Sheridan (Team Total Fitness) on the first of a five and a half lap course.
The breakaway duo were joined by four more riders and though their lead never went much above above a minute and they lost two of their number, they still had 17 seconds in hand at the line.
Jones won the sprint in convincing style by over a length from Neil Edwards (Mercury RT) and unattached Bristol rider Simon Harlow with Stu Lee (VC St Raphael) fourth.
Clive Brooks (VC Camelot), continued his domination of the local time trial scene when he won the Somer Valley 25 on the Bridgwater Flats.
Brooks clocked 53 minutes 12 seconds and finished well ahead of promoting club duo Richard Scott (56.07) and Nigel Winter (56.15).
Other local riders results were Chris Absolom (58.35), Danny Ellery (58.58), John Saunders (1.01.38), Nick Young (1.02.16), Martin Bailey (1.04.33) and Pat Ellery (1.16.03).
Yeovil veteran Nick Armstrong rode his first 100 mile time trial when he took part in the Bournemouth Jubilee event held on roads around the Wimborne- Poole area.
Scheduled for a sub four hours 30 minutes due, all was going well at 50 miles with 2.12.00 on the watch.
But an attack of cramp resulted in a final time of 4.39.14 which was good for a first 100 and secured 27th place out of 57 starters.
Thursday evenings Yeovil Club 10 attracted 28 riders who recorded average speeds of 20 miles per hour to 26.5. Yeovil’s Absolom rode a 100 inch fixed gear and clocked the fastest the time to win in 22.33 Joint second were Rob Ayres (Chard Wheelers) and Andrew Salmon (Mendip CC) in 22.40. Gareth Evans (Yeovil CC) was (22.53) and Chards Rod Antell fifth (23.43).

28th July 1994

30 year old record goes

A COURSE record which has stood for nearly 30 years was smashed by a minute by Clive Brooks on Sunday.
The VC Camelot racer has tried several times to break the Exeter-Barnstaple road course record. He finally cracked it in the Barnstaple Imperial Wheelers 25 recording 54.14 to win by more than three minutes.
Following Brooks home was Danny Ellery 1.00.24 and Alan Brimecombe 1.02.59 as Camelot secured the team prize.
Brooks had shown signs of his record breaking form in winning the St Budeaux 10 in 20.35 last Thursday.
Yeovils Gareth Evans recorded a personal best in the Bournemouth Arrow 50.

4th August 1994

Airman Chris is also a flier on his bike

YEOVIL Cycling Club’s Chris Absolom is the new Inter-Service Road Race champion. .
A Petty Officer serving at RNAS Yeovilton, he beat a strong RAF challenge and finished first serviceman and fifth overall in the Collingwood Road Race, which incorporated the championship.
The 50 mile event on the rolling roads around Portsdown Hill, near Portsmouth, included some first and second category non-service riders who dominated the race.
Absolom joined Taunton’s top roadman Matt Watch to chase an early breakaway and they caught the leaders.
A good group was formed which. proved to be the winning move and with Absolom the lone serviceman the title was his.
Elsewhere, VC Camelot’s time trial team rode well in Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 25 at Ringwood.
Camelots Clive Brooks won the event ina time of 54 minutes 7 seconds with the promoting clubs SteveBrown second in 57.55.
Camelot veterans Alan Brimecombe (60.09) and John Saunders (61.20) were fast enough to take the team title alongside Brooks.
Yeovil’s Thursday evening 10 mile time trial included the clubs Handicap Shield and good conditions produced personal bests for six riders.
James Wyatt improved by more than a minute to take the title from Nick Young, who equalled his best. Scratch man Gareth Evans was third in 21.58.
Fastest rider on the night was Mendips Gary Fouracre with his team mate Richard Scott close behind in 21.45. Yeovils Absolom was third in a personal best 21.50.
The ladies rode well and personal bests were recorded by Yeovil’s Louise Grabham (26.12) and Camelots Linda Blackwell (26.25).
The Absolom family seems to have hit a winning streak. Last month Chris’s daughter Sarah entered a competition run by Channel Four in connection with the Tour de France and won a signed copy of Chris Boardmans book. She successfully forecast the stage winner, and his name was then first out of the hat

August 1994

Clive Brooks close to a personal best

CLIVE Brooks came within 17 seconds of his personal best when he clocked 50.16 to win Sundays Clarence Wheelers 25 near Oxford. The conditions were not ideal with a cool northerly breeze but he was pleased to be over a minute clear of second
placed Zak Carr (leo RC) last years National Junior 10 mile champion. .
The other local time trialists went to Devon for the Barnstaple 25 at Morchard Road. Yeovil’s Gareth Evans was fastest recording 59.31 for third place behind Antelope race teams Dave Douse who won in 58.17. Evans was riding his Obree style fixed wheel
machine for the first time in an open event but found the aerodynamic but cramped position very uncomfortable on the rough roads. Catherine Fraser was fastest lady clocking 1.11.26 and the VC Camelot team was led by Danny Ellery with 1.01.01, Alan Brimecombe 1.01.22 and Linda Blackwell lhr 13mins.
Yeovil’s Thursday evening 10 mile time triad had 35 riders, the best entry of the year. Evans was fastest with 22.26 followed by Mark Antell 22.41 and Rob Ayres 22.51 of Chard Wheelers.
Yeovil police wornen Louise Grabham recorded her third consecutive personal improving a further 17 seconds clocking 25.55.
Roadman Chris Absolom continued his run of form with eighth place in the gruelling 81 mile Frank Spry Memorial Road Race at Oakhampton collecting three more points toward his first category licence.
Veteran roadmap Nick Armstrong travelled with three Taunton riders to the Enville Veterans two- day stage race in Shropshire. The race consisted of a 46 mile road race on Saturday and a three mile hilly time trial followed by a 62 mile road stage on Sunday.
Divided into age categories Armstrong finished 8th overall in the 45-49 group while his companions George Bartlett (VC Taunton) was fifth in 55-59 class and Pete Sandy (Somerset RC) third in the over 60s.

16th August 1994

Wind robs Brooks of a personal best

THE Thruxton based 10 mile course is potentially the fastest in the south and always attracts a full field. Saturday’s Bournemouth jubilee Wheelers event was no exception.
Riders divided into two separate races to accommodate the numbers as V C Camelots Clive Brooks was hoping for another personal best time but the wind was too strong. He won as usual clocking 20 minutes 40 seconds which was still a good performance and more than a minute better than Tony Green of New Forest CC. Yeovil’s Stuart Wroot c1ocked 24.53 and Don Brown 26.16.
In the veterans and ladies event Alan Brimecombe of VC Camelot was best local in seventh on 23.14 behind winner and Team Zoylands Dave Barnes on 21.52.
Fourth lady was Catherine Fraser 21.52 and Yeovil’s Louise Grabham finished with 27.12.
On the same afternoon Yeovil veteran Nick Armstrong rode the Exeter Triathlon Club 25 at Buckfastleigh clocking 1.02.51 St Budeauxs Alan Ryder mastered the hard windly course to win in 55.45

15th September 1994

Now Clive Wins a title in Wales

MARSTON Magna’s Clive Brooks added the Welsh Open 50 mile Championship on Sunday to his impressive list of time trial victories.
The Abergavenny to Hereford Road course was all single-carriageway and quite hilly but Brooks sped round in 1.50.23 to finish-four minutes ahead of runner-up Nick Giles (CC Abergavenny).
Other local time trialists chose to race in the Wellington Wheelers 25 on Bridgwater Flats. Yeovil’s Nick Young was fastest clocking 1.03.18 just three seconds better than VC Camelot veteran John Saunders. But they were a long way behind winner Dave Barnes from Team Zoyland who recorded 55.23.
The penultimate event in Yeovil’s Thursday evening series was a hard 10 with a strong head wind on the outward leg from Podimore to the turn at Ash flyover on the A303.
Mendips Gary Fouracre was fastest clocking 22.23 ahead of second place Chris Absolom 22.57 with Mendip rider Dave Russell 23.06 pipping Yeovil’s Gareth Evans by one second.

25th August 1994

Mark pips brother

A trio of Chard Wheelers riders enjoyed individual and team succes on Sunday in the Frank Hillery Memorial 50-mile time trial at Rudgeway, near Bristol.
Mark Ante11 (2.01.05) won the individual race ahead of brother Rod (2.06.28) who came fourth, with Joe Wenglorz helping the Wheelers take the team award.

8th September 1994

Its Clive, by two minutes

CLIVE Brooks continued his winning ways with an easy victory in the North Hampshire Road Club 25 at Newbury on Saturday.
The course was not very fast, and several roundabouts and poor road surface, combined with a strong wind, meant most riders struggled to record a respectable time.
Brooks clocked 54.17 which was more than two minutes better than Rother Valleys Ben Edwards (56.36). Antelope racer Pete Pickers was third in 57.33.
Yeovil CCs Nick Armstrong recorded 1.04.01 which was fortunate as race organisers were awarding special prizes for times nearest to whole minutes over the hour.
Chard Wheelers fielded two teams in the Barnstaple Wheelers two-up team time trial at Copplestone on Sunday; Rob Ayres and Rod Antell clocked 1.00.09 while comeback rider Dave Moran
had trouble holding the pace of his partner John Trout and they recorded 1.07,02.
With the evenings drawing in, Yeovil held their last Thursday time trial of the season with 30 solos and a tandem combination riding the 10 mile event.
Yeovil’s Gareth Evans was fastest clocking 22.17 with Douglas Northcott second in 22.45 showing a timely return to form for the National Schools final next week.

1st September 1994

Clives 40mph ride sets a new course record

YEOVIL Cycling Clubs ten mile time trial last Saturday was not quite as fast as last years event when 45 personal best times were recorded.
The conditions were different and a course change lost the riders a gift start down Camel Hill.
A strong north east wind blew riders to the turn and winner Clive Brooks was clocked at 40mph on the Ilchester bypass but it was a different story on the return leg.
Brooks managed a course record ride of 20.37 which was well ahead of runner-up Rob Pears of Bath CC who clocked 21.14.
Team Zoyland veteran Dave Barnes rode his new carbon monocoupe machine and took third place on 21.44.
Fastest lady was Jane Parsons of Wellington Wheelers on 26.01 and quickest junior was New Forest CCs E Martin with 22.44.
Local youngster Douglas Northcott clocked 23.00 while the veteran award was claimed by Dave Tovey 22.40.
On Sunday VC Camelot’s Brooks and Blackwell rode in the Heron Road Club 25 at Chumleigh, Devon, and both came away with prizes.
Brooks won the main event in a course record time of 52.14 and Blackwell was the fastest lady with 1.11.42.

29th September 1994

CLIVE Brooks of VC Camelot recording his 37th win of the season in the Sotonia CC 25 mile time trial at Andover. Picture by Trevor Fenwick

37th win as Clive Brooks ends the season in style

CLIVE Brooks, the VC Camelot rider from Castle Cary, finished his season on a high note, winning the Sotonia 25 at Andover on Sunday in an event record time of 50 minutes 56 seconds his 37th victory of a wonderful season.
Chards Rod Antell is one rider wishing the season was not closing as he hit his best form to date. Clocking a personal best 56.24, he led the Wheelers in the team race. Rob Ayres
(57.57) and Stuart Woodsell (1.00.31) were the other team counters and Dave Moran clocked 1.08.42.
Yeovil’s Douglas Northcott also recorded a personal best of 59.08.
Closer to home, Yeovil club held their hill climb championship at High Ham. Andrew Tearle, who has recently turned 16, celebrated his move to the junior ranks by winning in 3 mins 13 secs, which was 14 seconds better that Gareth Evans winning time last year.
The 1992 champion Neil Boxall was second in 3.29 and Martin Bailey third with 3.38. Guest riders turned in good climbs with Chris Spinner(Clevedon & District) 3.16 and Chris Tate
(unattached) 3.32.

6th October 1994

Clive's in a class of his own at Andover

RETURNING to the Thruxton-based courses for a second week mining VC Camelot’s Clive Brooks scored a fine double in the Andover Wheelers Weyhill Weekend promotion.
On Saturday afternoon conditions did not look good for the ten mile event with riders having to contend with a stiff breeze.
Again in a class of his own, Brooks beat 30mph to clock 19.57 just nine seconds outside his personal and course record. Peter Main (34 Nomads) was second in 20.28.
Other local riders competing were Alan Brirnecombe 23.18, Nick Young 23.22 PB, John Saunders 23.36, Stuart Wroot 23.39, Don Brown 25.30 and Louise Grabham 26.37.
Conditions on Sunday were a complete opposite to the previous day but riders struggled to master the course.
Brooks scraped home recording 54.31 which was four seconds better than Simon Howes with third place Lee Paxton well back on 57.55. Brimecombe clocked 1.04.57,
Saunders 1.05.33, Brown 1.12.07 and Grabham in her first 25 clocked 1.15.55.
Yeovil CC stage their last event of the season on Saturday afternoon and for the first time the ten mile time trial is over subscribed and boasts a field of 120 racers. The race starts and finishes near Podimore roundabout with the turn on the Ash flyover. First rider is off at 4pm with Brooks on scratch.

22nd September 1994

All-rounder Evans is a big hit despite missing award night

MARSTON Magna time trial star Clive Brooks presented the prizes at Yeovil Cycling Clubs annual awards ceremony at the Masons Arms, Lower Odcombe.
Last seasons fastest time trialist Gareth Evans was not present to receive his four awards as he has been studying at the University of Wales and was unable to attend He won cups for fastest at 50 miles (1 hour 58 minutes 48 seconds), 25 miles (57 mins 15, secs) and best short distance all-rounder.
Evans also won the Points Cup for best rider in the evening time trial series.
Veteran road race champion Nick Armstrong, of West Camel, whose average speed over ten, 25, 50 and 100 miles was 23.34 mph, claimed the time trial championship and veteran best all rounder trophies.
Somerton’s Douglas Northcott was top young time trialist winning both juvenile and junior' awards. He averaged 26.46 mph in four ten mile events.
Another youngster testing the veterans was Andrew Tearle , of Yeovil, who won the club hill climb cup and the trophy for best display in a national championship.
Chris Absolom was senior road race champion after he enjoyed a great season during which he gained his second category licence. He also picked up the cup for best performance in Yeovil road race promotions.
The Webb Memorial Shield for outstanding service to the club was presented to Derek Todd for his untiring work as treasurer, committee man, race organiser and club run leader.

15th December 1994