Chinn's up as new Wheelers course is a hit

Adrian Lansley celebrates his win. Picture: Neil Marshall (161428-17)

Phill Chinn has spoken of his relief after the new course at Fairthorne Manor was given the thumbs up by Wessex League riders.

Fareham Wheelers hosted round six of the championship last Sunday, with Pedal On’s Adrian Lansley claiming an impressive victory.

The club have used the Curdridge venue, run by the South East Hampshire YMCA, for the past few seasons but for reasons beyond their control the regular circuit was out of action.

Chinn and his team designed a fresh route and were delighted to hear glowing reviews – led by ex-masters world champion Dave McMullen.

The race organiser said: ‘It went very, very well and the course was well received. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

‘We laid out a good course, the YMCA did a fantastic job of cutting it during the week and it seemed to go down well.

‘Numbers were up a little bit and we had some good feedback from people.

‘Dave loved it and he knows his stuff!

‘The volunteers were brilliant again, the YMCA did a cracking job for us – a really cracking job – and Solent Cycles were great. I’m really happy.’

Lansley, who completed 10 laps in 55min 35sec, claimed success from Zepnat’s Alex Forrester (56.02) and Cannondale’s Michael Cotty (56.04) in the senior race.

There was an impressive debut display from Wheelers time trial specialist Gary Chambers.

Chambers is only just testing his legs in cyclo-cross this season but he will have been buoyed by finishing 24th in 1.02.47 after starting at the back of the grid.

The under-23 crown went to Joseph Andrews (59.25).

Earlier in the day, the women’s race was won by Sarah Barber. The North Hampshire rider finished seven laps in 47.19.

Claire Smith was second – and also the first veteran woman home – with six laps in 41.27, while the top junior female was Gabrielle Butler after her five laps in 41.21.

GS Vecchi’s Kevin Holloway clocked 40.53 for seven laps to take the veteran 50 race from team-mate Tim Costello (41.09). Wheelers rider Mike Williams was eighth in 43.30.

The veteran 40 event went to Owen Pattinson, with his seven laps in 39.14.

Portsmouth North End’s Alan Collins (42.14) was ninth and Fareham racer Alex Johnson (42.32) was 11th.

There was a one-two for Cotswold Veldrijden at junior level as Archie Scott (39.59) beat Liam Sewell (40.00) over seven circuits. Former i-Team rider Charlie Cooper was fourth in 41.07.

The top novices were Toby Chisnall (five laps, 34.52) and Deborah Smith (four laps, 28.45), while under-16 glory went to Matthew Coulson (28.08) and Lucy Gadd (34.08) across five laps.

There was home success at under-14 level as Fareham Wheelers starlet Toby Houghton raced to glory over five laps in 32.54. Eden Veranda’s Madeline Cooper won the girls’ battle in 34.15.

Arlo Carey and Melissa Cooper were the under-12 winners, while the under-10 contests were taken by Daniel Phillips and Rebecca Carter.