3-Apr-77

Richmond & Darlington 'Hilly'

Pete beats hills for victory

THE opening event of the area's time trial season, the Richmond and Darlington 24-mile Hardriders Hilly event, produced a close fought battle and victory by one second for Cleveland Coureur, Peter Bate.

In hail, rain and sleet Bate covered the tough West Auckland, Bildershaw, Walworth, Royal Oak, Denton course in 1-8-4 to finish one second ahead of Tyne RC's Wes Clayton.

After ten miles, with almost half the distance completed, barely five seconds separated the pair with the Cleveland man ahead.
Clayton's challenge over two laps of the Royal Oak, Denton Crossroads, Denton Village circuit fell just short of the time Bate was later to set.

Hambleton RCs first year senior, Peter Stevenson, recorded 1-10-12 to take third place and claim the handicap award.

Together with his club-mates, Chris Vasey, who finished fifth with 1-10-50 and Charles Cording, he also helped collect the team award.

Having just entered the junior ranks, Stockton Wheeler Paul Curran looks set to add to his schoolboy successes after his fourth placed 1-10-42.

From Richmond and Darlington's fast growing numbers, Ken Reid returning 1-12-15 and junior Paul Halstead with 1-13-42 finished well placed collecting ninth and tenth positions.

RESULTS

1. Peter Bate (Cleveland Coureurs) 1-8-04
2. Wes Clayton (Tyne RC) 1-8-05
3. Peter Stevenson (Hambleton RC) 1-10-12
4. Paul Curran (Stockton Wh) 1-10-42
5. Chris Vasey (Hambleton RC) 1-10-50
9. Ken Reid (Richmond & Darlington) 1-12-15
10. Paul Halstead (Richmond & Darlington) 1-13-42