In his first race of the season, Big Ian Furniss stormed to victory in the Featherstone Road Club 17miles time trial. The Doncaster Wheelers - Don Valley Cycles rider covered an undulating course based around Sherburn in Elmet in 41mins 57secs, which gave him a comfortable winning margin of 1min 30secs over Moorends man Lee Cairns. A member of the National 12 Hours Championship winning team last year, Furniss certainly has the power to make a major impact on the local time trialling scene in 2006. Younger brother Dave made an auspicious start to his season, clocking 48mins 16secs to win his category award.

In the 1st Darley Moor Circuit Race, Yorkshire Road Race Champion Mark Wordsworth (J.E.James RT) claimed a creditable 4th place in the Elite Category race while schoolboy sensation Alex Wallis could only finish 6th in the under 16years event.

Martin Oliver, a member of the National 12 Hours Championship winning team last year, showed he is equally adept in the shorter distances by finishing in 11th place in the VTTA 18km time trial on Saturday at Blyth. In arctic conditions, his time of 25mins 56secs was only 54 secs behind the winner Richard Oakes from Nottingham. The performance of the day though belonged to Dave Furniss who won the first handicap award with a magnificent time of 26mins 34secs. Other Doncaster Wheelers riders and times were Ron Moat 28.46, Tony Brown 28.48, Laura Oliver 30.01 & Adam Oliver 30.58. Woodlands based Levi Huck, the bronze medallist in last years British Junior Best All Rouder Competition who now rides for Pinarello Racing Team, recorded 25mins 44secs for 7th place.

Elite roadman Adam Weaver got his season off to a flying start with a brilliant 5th place in the Darley Moor Circuit Race over 55km while Jack Ibbotson managed 9th place in the Neil White Memorial Pursuit near Hartlepool. Ian Furniss, winner of the Featherstone RC 17 miles TT last week, finished 10th in the Jack Granger Memorial Road Race over 60 miles at Corby.

In the Hull Thursday RC 24miles 2up team tt, Russell Charlesworth & Steve Cowlbeck clocked 1hr 1min 6secs in the blizzard conditions while Dale Coan managed 26mins 54secs in the Scunthorpe RC 10 miles tt.  

Town Moor based Yorkshire Road Race Champion Mark Wordsworth (JE James RT) was lying in 19th place after the opening 2 stages of the Mersey RC 2 Day Road Race in North Wales. Unfortunately the final stage was cancelled due to heavy snow.

This weekend the club 13 miles tt will be held on the Beckingham - Gringley Course. Last year Mike Hope won in a time of 30mins 43secs. Jack Ibbotson will be riding in the Danum Trophy Road Race over a tough 60miles circuit around Wentworth while Russell Charlesworth & Dale Coan will be in time trial action at Blyth in the North Midlands CF 25 miles tt.

In form Dave Furniss produced another startling performance to win Doncaster Wheelers 13 miles time trial at Beckingham last Sunday. His winning time of 33mins 26secs was a dramatic improvement of 6mins 33secs on his 2005 effort. Runner up Andy Chadwick clocked a remarkable 33mins 53secs in his first ever race while another debutant Andy Braisby confirmed his promise with 35mins 29secs for 3rd place. Other Wheelers riders and times were, Steve Cowlbeck 35.43, Alan Mattinson 36.44, Tom Stewart 37.38, Ron Moat 38.40, Dave Walker 39.56, Alex Wallis 41.01 & Fred Easton 41.24.

 

The previous day, Furniss recorded a personal best 1hr 0mins 42secs in the North Midlands CF 25 miles tt at Blyth. This was good enough to win the first handicap prize for NMCF affiliated riders. Top Wheeler in 10th place was Veteran Russell Charlesworth with 58.49, while Dale Coan finished in 1.5.29 and Tony Brown 1.9.20.

 

Martin Oliver's good form in short distance tt's continued when he placed 8th in the Cherry Valley 10 miles tt in a time of 23.31. Martin's daughter Laura, the current North Midlands schoolgirls 10 miles champion, managed 27.41 which was 35secs too quick for younger brother Adam.

 

Elite roadman Adam Weaver completed his preparation for the season's first Premier Calendar race by finishing 10th in the 3rd round of the Darley Moor circuit series.

Sprotbrough's double Olympian & former 2 times National Road Race Champion John Tanner formed a winning partnership with his Planet X team-mate Wayne Randle in Saturday's Ashfield RC 2up 25 miles tt. They covered an undulating course in 54mins 51secs which gave them a comfortable winning margin of exactly 3 minutes.

 

9 times British Best All Rounder Kevin Dawson finished a creditable 17th place in the Archer International GP over 116 miles, the 2nd counting event in this years Premier Calendar series. Yorkshire Road Race Champion Mark Wordsworth was placed 40th.

 

Riding in his first ever road race, Doncaster Wheelers Andy Chadwick finished a superb 6th place in the Wetwang RR confirming the promise he displayed recently in the club's 13 miles tt.

 

In the first National Rankings for road racing published at the end of March, Doncaster Wheelers were placed 54th and were 4th in the Yorkshire Regional table. Individually, Kevin Dawson was the top ranked local rider in 23rd position with his Agisko Dart tv team mate Graham Briggs in 31st position. Top Wheeler was Adam Weaver in 37th place while JE James RT's Mark Wordsworth came in at 44th. 

 

Local races were a bit thin on the ground this week-end as the Birdwell Whs 25 miles tt was cancelled due to roadworks and the Team Swift 25 miles tt was cancelled due to weather conditions.

Big Ian Furniss led a Doncaster Wheelers team to victory in the Rutland CC 10 miles tt on Saturday. HIs time of 22mins 16secs was the 3rd fastest time of the day. Backed by John Maughan 23mins 10secs and Dave Furniss, who clocked a personal best 23mins 24secs, they clinched the team prize by a mere 6 seconds from the promoting club's squad. Other Wheelers riders and times were, Steve Cowlbeck 23.27, Andy Braisby 25.17, Alex Wallis 25.19, Chris Wallis 25.28, Dale Coan 25.53, Trevor Siddons 25.55 & John Hadley 26.33.

 

Other Doncaster based riders included Richard Lambert (Rossington Whs) 23.40, Ron Pyne (Rockingham CC) 23.48, Wheatley based George Miles (Barnsley RC) 24.58 & Veteran Colin Taylor (Maldon & Dist) 28.00.

 

The club evening 10 miles tt last Wednesday was abandoned due to an accident on the course involving Veteran rider Alan Mattinson, who was detained overnight in DRI with facial & leg injuries. A few riders managed to complete the course including Ian Furniss who clocked 22mins 37secs, Dave Furniss 23.40, Alex Wallis 25.35 & Ron Moat 26.47. Former National 100 miles champion Ray Eden (Planet X) started his comeback with an impressive 23.14.

 

This Sunday, Doncaster Wheelers promote round 3 of the 8 race Rudy Project Time Trial series on a sporting course based around Beckingham. The event has attracted a star studded field of 95 riders in various categories. Favourite for the Senior race over 27 miles is Gethin Butler (Preston Whs), a two times winner of the British Best All Rounder competition and former National Champion at 100 miles, 12 & 24 hours. His challengers include Scunthorpe's Julian Ramsbottom (De Rosa RT) the fastest man over 10 miles this year with 20mins 30secs and Gloucester's Richard Prebble (Pinarello RT) a former National Champion at 10, 25, 50 & 100 miles.

 

In the Espoirs category for riders under 23 years, former Espoirs tt champion Graham Briggs is the man to beat. The Rossington based Agisko Dart.tv rider will be challenged by Woodlands'  Levi Huck (Pinarello RT) who finished 3rd in last years British Junior Best All Rounder while Doncaster Wheelers' Jack Ibbotson & Andy Chadwick complete the local contingent.

 

In the Veterans category, defending series champion Ray Hughes (Clarence Whs) clashes with Dave Dent (GS Stella), the latter coming out on top by 5secs in their previous meeting in South Wales. Doncaster Wheelers field a strong team with Ian Furniss, Martin Oliver & John Maughan and they are all expected to feature strongly in the final result. In the age related competition, the winners of round 1 & 2 of the series John Woodburn (Maidenhead & Dist) & Roger Iddles (Stourbridge CC) go head to head.

 

The Ladies field is headed by Julia Shaw, the series winner in 2002, 3 & 4, while Doncaster Wheelers Laura Oliver is favourite to win the Junior Ladies race. A Wheelers  1 - 2  is guaranteed in the Juvenile race with Alex Wallis & Adam Oliver the only entrants.

 

Former double Olympian & National Road Race Champion John Tanner will present the prizes and additional sponsorship has been kindly provided by Parkinson Dental Outfitters.

Doncaster Wheelers promoted the 3rd round of the Rudy Project series on the undulating Beckingham - Gringley on the hill circuit. Preston's Gethin Butler, a former national champion at 100 miles, 12 & 24 hours, maintained his 100% record in this years series with a stunning time of 58mins 40secs for the 27 miles. The former Lands End - John O'Groats record holder beat his North West rival Paul O'Mahoney by 34secs. Sprotbrough veteran Ian Furniss, who elected to compete in the senior event, clocked a creditable 1hr 4mins 11secs for 17th place. Steve Cowlbeck & Dave Furniss continued their close personal battles finishing in 1.8.58 & 1.9.17 respectively.

 

In the Veterans race over 13miles, West Londoner Ray Hughes produced the fastest time of 29mins 38secs to beat the Isle of Wight's Dave Dent by 25secs. Martin Oliver was the fastest Doncaster Wheeler in 9th place with 31.43 followed by John Maughan 32.57 & Ron Moat 36.14.

 

In the Espoirs category for riders under 23 years, Liverpool's James Stewart was an outstanding winner in 1hr 0mins 23secs. Doncaster riders filled 3rd & 4th places with Andy Chadwick's 1.6.16 edging out former Wheeler Levi Huck by 5secs.

 

There were some tremendous performances in the Junior categories with Doncaster Wheelers' Laura Oliver winning the Junior Ladies title in 38mins 04secs. In the Juveniles race, Alex Wallis' 36mins 04secs was the fastest time and team-mate Adam Oliver made it a 1 - 2 for the club with 37.27.

 

In the Club evening 10 miles time trial last Wednesday, Ian Furniss finished with a fabulous time of 22mins 09secs. Other Doncaster riders and times were, Martin Oliver 22.51, Dave Furniss 23.11, Steve Cowlbeck 23.12, Mick Spencer 23.52, Stu Miller 24.29, Paul Bell 25.17, Nigel Hunter 25.28, John Hadley 25.35, Phil Henson 25.40, Dale Coan 25.51, Ron Moat 25.58, Adam Oliver 26.08, Laura Oliver 26.54, Paul Edgar 26.58, Russell Toft 27.54, Richard Wilson 28.22, Rebecca Milnes 28.41 & Beth Wallis 32.52. Beth scored a maximum 12 points in the Handicap League with a handicap time of 17mins 52secs in her first ever race. Runner-up in this category was Adam Oliver who was only 1 second slower than his personal best.

Kevin Dawson added the Yorkshire Road Race title to his already impressive cv on Sunday. The Agisko-Dart. Cycling.TV rider demolished the opposition to finish 45 seconds ahead of his nearest rival after 84 miles of racing. Doncaster Wheelers'  Paul Bell finished in a creditable 8th place while defending champion Mark Wordsworth had to settle for 11th place.

In the Master's Category over 60miles, Big Ian Furniss finished a magnificent 4th place, while Pete Farnell was an impressive 7th & Conisbrough's Lee Johnson (Dinnington RC) managed 9th. Former National Veterans Road Race Champion Gaz Hill took the Over 50's title to complete an excellent day for the Wheelers.

In the North Midlands Juvenile 10 miles tt Championship, Sprotbrough's Alex & Beth Wallis completed a unique family double. 14 years old Alex was a convincing winner of the Under 16's Championship in a superb time of 24mins 51secs for the unseasonable weather. This made up for last years disappointment when his chain snapped shortly after the start. Younger sister Beth, in only her 3rd race, succeeded club mate Laura Oliver as the girls champion with a personal best time of 32.23. They both qualify for the National Final to be held near Cambridge in September.

Russell Charlesworth showed a welcome return to form with an outstanding 21.51 which gave him 4th place in the Thurcroft CC 10 miles tt. Veteran John Maughan was also on tremendous form clocking 22.13. Other Wheelers riders and times were, Mick Spencer 22.44, Graham Rushworth 22.46, Graham Huck 23.44, Ron Moat 23.48, Phil Henson 24.18, Dale Coan 24.20, Chris Wallis 25.01 & Kevin Avery 25.31. 

In the Lincoln Wheelers 10 miles tt, Steve Cowlbeck finished in 6th place with 22.51, just 12 seconds short of his pb.

Newly crowned North Midlands Juvenile Champion Alex Wallis led a Doncaster Wheelers team to a surprise victory in the National Junior 25 miles championship near Birmingham. Wallis clocked 1hr 5mins 30secs which also gave him the silver medal in his age category. Brother and sister Adam and Laura Oliver completed the team with times of 1.12.38 and 1.12.50 which was good enough to win their respective age categories. Last Thursday Wallis competed in the East Bradford 10miles tt and knocked a massive 41secs off his previous best with a stunning 23mins 30secs effort.

 

In the club evening 10miles tt, Martin Wheeldon set the years fastest time in the series with a rapid 22.00. This gave him a comfortable 1min 23secs margin over Jack Ibbotson who in turn had 16secs to spare over Stu Miller. Miller was the fastest rider on handicap with 21.24. In the Premier Handicap League, 2nd place on the night was good enough to rocket Ron Moat into the lead with 44pts. Ominously, last years runner up John Hadley is 2nd on 40pts while defending champion Steve Cowlbeck, who was unlucky to puncture on the night, slipped back to 3rd with 35pts.

 

On Saturday, Russell Charlesworth led the Wheelers team with a brilliant 57.46 in the Rutland CC 25 miles tt at Ranby. Fellow veterans Dale Coan 1.3.26 and Bob Burleigh 1.4.56 completed the team.

 

Jack Ibbotson finished a magnificent 11th place in the Featherstone Road Race over a tough 90miles course nade even tougher by the baking hot conditions. Martin Wheeldon was at the head of the chasing group in 13th place with Paul Bell and Ian Furniss also performing heroically.

In the Sharrow CC 50 miles tt, Martin Oliver clocked a magnificent 1hr 51mins 12secs for 5th place. With good support from  Russell Charlesworth and Steve Cowlbeck who recorded 1.56.22 and !.59.20 respectively, the Doncaster Wheelers trio took the team honours.

 

Mike Hope updated the fastest time of the year in the club 10 miles series when he finished in 21mins 58secs to shave 2 secs off the time set by Martin Wheeldon the previous week. Dave Furniss finished 2nd in 23.32 while Gordon Corrie was 3rd in 24.01. Fastest rider on handicap was Nigel Hunter with 21.24.

 

In the VC Chesterfield 10 miles tt at Ranby, John Maughan produced one of his fastest ever rides clocking a superb 21mins 22secs. Graham Huck, who led the Doncaster Club to the British Best All Rounder team title over 30 years ago, turned back the clock with a fabulous 21.51. Other Wheelers riders and times were, Russell Charlesworth 21.52, Mick Spencer 22.02, Alex Wallis 23.07 a personal best by 23 secs for the up and coming young rider, Bob Burleigh 23.20 and Dale Coan 23.24.

 

There were several local riders competing in the National Road Race Championship which covered 116miles of undulating countryside north west of Beverley. Kevin Dawson who was in the thick of the action throughout was the best placed in 18th. Jack Ibbotson is building his form nicely and he managed a fine 3rd place in the City RC Hull 50 miles Road Race.

 

In last Wednesday's club 10 miles tt, Ian Furniss clocked an exceptional 22mions 21secs in windy conditions. Dave Furniss and Steve Cowlbeck had a close scrap for 2nd with the former coming out on top by 8secs with 23.32. Phil Henson completed his preparation for next week's National 50km 3up team time trial by winning the handicap award with 22.02. John Hadley moved into the lead of the Premier Handicap League with 50 points closely followed by Dale Coan on 48.

 

This weekend, the Wheelers have 2 teams competing in the National 50km 3up team time trial near Beverley. Graham Rushworth, John Maughan & Russell Charlesworth will be joined by Mike Hope Andy Belk & Phil Henson. Favourites to take the title are the Agisko Dart Cycling tv squad which includes Blaxton's Kevin Dawson, the 50 and 100 miles British record holder who was twice a member of the winning team when the event was a 4up over 100km.

For the 3rd consecutive week, the years fastest time in Doncaster Wheelers club 10 miles tt series was updated. This time it was Big Ian Furniss who sliced 3 seconds off the week old mark set by Mike Hope when the clock stopped at 21mins 55secs.  Martin Wheeldon equalled his personal best set 2 weeks ago of 22.00 while Dave Furniss shattered his previous best with 22.46. Taking advantage of a 6mins 30secs allowance, Rebecca Milnes was fastest on handicap with 20.31 thanks to a new pb of 27.01. Riding as a guest, British 50 and 100 miles record holder Kevin Dawson had a useful workout clocking 21.25.

 

In the Premier Handicap League John Hadley on 58pts retained his slender lead, but Dale Coan reduced the deficit to a mere point with Dave Furniss a further 3 points in arrears.

 

In the National 3up 50km team time trial championship near Beverley, the Doncaster Whs A team of Graham Rushworth, John Maughan & Russell Charlesworth finished in 23rd place with 1hr 12mins 17secs closely followed by the B team of Mike Hope Andy Belk & Phil Henson who managed 1.12.54. Kevin Dawson's Agisko team were unable to start due to one of their team members being sidelined following a crash in last weeks National Road Race Championship.

 

In the South Elmsall SCC 10 miles tt, Steve Cowlbeck was the leading Wheeler in 22.54. Other riders and times were Graham Huck 23.07 Dale Coan 24.03 and Alex Wallis 24.27.

 

In the Scunthorpe Open Track meeting, Dale Coan took fine 4th place in the 6km points race just behind former clubmate Levi Huck.

Kevin Dawson won the National 100 miles time trial championship for the 6th time clocking an astounding  3hrs 33mins 44secs. This gave the Blaxton based Agisko Dart Cycling.tv rider a huge winning margin of 4mins 57secs and it has surely laid the foundation for a record 10th British Best All Rounder title.

 

Martin Oliver smashed the Doncaster Wheelers 100 miles club record with a magnificent 3.49.47 in the BDCA 100 near Uttoxeter. Oliver, who finished 4th in last years National 12 hours championship, appears to be rounding into form at the right time as the Wheelers prepare to defend their 12 hours team title in Norfolk on 6 August.

 

Mark Wordsworth, the Town Moor based JE James RT rider, scored a convincing solo victory in the Mike Binks Memorial Road Race over a tough 77 miles course at Stokesly. In the Acorn RR over 56 miles Lee Johnson (Dinnington RC) and Paul Bell completed a good day for Doncaster riders finishing 2nd & 4th respectively.

 

In the club evening 10 miles tt, Martin Wheeldon scorched round the Hatfield Woodhouse course in an exceptional 21mins 50secs, the fastest time by a Wheeler in this years series. Veteran John Maughan clocked 22.24 followed by Stu Miller with 23.12. Beth Wallis was the fastest rider on handicap with 20.48.

 

Graham Rushworth was the fastest Wheeler in Birdwell Wheelers 10 miles tt at Ranby, recording a rapid 21.28. John Maughan produced another tremendous effort with 21.43 while Steve Cowlbeck managed an outstanding personal best of 22.06. Other riders and times were, Mick Spencer 22.39, Alex Wallis 23.32 & Dale Coan 23.35. Askern CC Veteran,Paul Staton, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, got his comeback underway with an auspicious 24.43.

 

Rushworth also came out on top in the latest club evening 10miles tt with his best ride of the series 21.59. Martin Wheeldon followed closely with 22.08 while Stu Miller clocked an amazing new pb of 22.53. Miller's ride also gave him the fastest time on handicap with a 1min 30secs allowance. 14 years old Jake Tanner, son of double Olympian and former 2 times National Road Race Champion John, completed his 2nd race in a promising 26.59. Last years runner up John Hadley has taken over top spot in the Premier Handicap League with 67 points with Dale Coan & Stu Miller both in striking range on 64 points.

The Doncaster Wheelers - Don Valley Cycles team of Martin Oliver, Gaz Hill & Dave Furniss all distinguished themselves in Sunday's National 12 hours time trial championship in Norfolk. The defending champions though were unable to hold on to their title despite amassing a team total of 793.31 miles, which was 43 miles more than last years winning total. However, they added almost 3 miles to the club record which has stood since 1975 when Graham Huck, Allan Robson & Bob Bickerstaffe were the National 12 hours team champions and British Best All Rounder team winners.

 

Martin Oliver, who was 4th in the 2005 race, led the team with an awesome 270.36 miles which gave him 10th place overall. This erased Graham Huck's 1975 effort of 270.042 miles from the club record's book. Martin was also 4th overall in the Veteran's age related competition and 2nd in the 45 - 49 years category. Debutant Gaz Hill, the 2000 National Veteran's Road Race Champion, produced a sterling effort to clock 266.84 miles. Gaz was 2nd overall in the Veteran's age related competition and 1st in the over 50 years category. Completing the team was Dave Furniss, who added 40 miles to his 2005 distance with a remarkable 256.11 miles, which gave him a well deserved 1st handicap award.

 

Next years championship will be held in East Yorkshire, where the club will be looking to regain their crown.