Sid Scoops Sporting Snippets

18th March - A Good Start to the Season
Doncaster Wheelers riders got the 2007 season off to a great start with excellent team wins in the VTTA North MIdlands 18K tt and the North Midlands CF 25 miles tt. In the VTTA event, Michael Hope finished 3rd in 24mins 31secs backed up by speedy veterans John Maughan & Martin Oliver who clocked 24.51 & 25.21 respectively. Other Wheelers riders & times were Gaz Hill 25.59, Dave Furniss 26.05, Alex Wallis 27.23, Adam Oliver 27.46 & Laura Oliver 30.34. In very blustery conditions, Hope recorded an impressive 59mins 02secs in the North Midlands 25 to finish in 8th place. John Maughan produced a magnificent 59.37 & Russell Charlesworth's 1.01.09 ensured another team success. Also showing good form were Gaz Hill 1.02.07, Steve Cowlbeck 1.03.39 and debutant Bradley Johnston 1.04.00. New member Ian Cooper teamed up with Martin Wheeldon in the Hull Thursday 2up 24 miles team time trial and was an instant success finishing in equal 5th place with an outstanding 55.58. Brothers Ian & Dave Furniss were just outside the hour mark with 1.0.24. This Sunday the club are promoting a 13 miles time trial to be held on the Beckingham course which will be the venue in May when the Wheelers promote a National round of the Rudy Project series. The start time is 10.30am at Rosie's Cafe.
24th March - Wheel of Speed just keeps Turning
Oliver�s twist 14 years old Adam Oliver, a member of the Doncaster Wheelers National Junior 25 miles championship winning team in 2006, produced an astounding 35m 59s ride in the CTT London East opening round of the National Rudy Project series on Saturday on a sporting 13 miles course in Essex. This was good enough to give him 2^nd place in this national competition for riders under 18 years. Elder sister Laura claimed the 1^st Junior Lady award with a magnificent 39m 31s while father Martin finished in 9^th place in the Veteran�s race with 34m 11s. The legend that is Graham Huck finished 17^th with 36m 28s. In an exclusive interview with the boy Oliver, he said �Huck was the greatest but I am the latest.� Wheeldon is on fire In the Kiveton Park CC 10 miles tt held on the Hatfield Woodhouse to Blaxton course, Martin Wheeldon was the fastest Wheeler in an impressive 22m 17s. Despite strong backing from John Maughan 23m 00s & Russell Charlesworth 23m 04s, the Doncaster trio were edged out of the team race by Sheffield�s Rutland CC. Other Wheelers riders & times were Dave Furniss 23.38, Martin Maltby 24.43, Phil Henson 25.09, Dale Coan 25.18 & Trevor Siddons� 26.14 is the subject of an inquiry. Hope for Cooperman In the club�s 13miles tt held on the Beckingham circuit, new member Ian Cooper showed he will be a force to be reckoned with this year by clocking a rapid 30m 31s for the undulating course. This gave him the verdict by 27secs over the experienced cornering skills of Michael Hope. Elite category roadman Adam Oliver claimed 3^rd place with 31m 32s while Bradley Johnston in only his 2^nd race managed an auspicious 31m 46s. Making her debut in Doncaster Wheelers colours, Sue Smith was the fastest lady with a superb 39m 28s effort. Other riders & times were Gaz Hill 32.02, Steve Cowlbeck 33.19, Tom Stewart 35.55, Chris Harbon 35.59 & Dean Kirkham 36.06, Andy Williams 37.12, Alan Mattinson 37.59, Fred Easton 38.10, Dave Harpham 38.49, Gary Ward 38.50, Simon England 38.56, Gary Potter 39.42, Steve Bell 42.14, Jamie Chester 44.20, Bash Tufekci 44.48, Daniel Ward 44.55 & David Ward 48.43
23th April - Young Ones come to the Fore!
Veteran Martin Wheeldon was a convincing winner of the opening round of Doncaster Wheelers evening 10miles tt series. In cool conditions, he clocked an outstanding 22mins 08secs which gave him a comfortable margin of 1min 6secs over runner up Andy Shaw. Bradley Johnston made his debut in the series with a fine 23.25 closely followed by Steve Cowlbeck 23.41, Dave Furniss 23.49 & Gaz Hill 23.54. Schoolboy Alex Wallis, who defends his North Midlands 10 miles title next weekend, sent a warning message to his rivals with a tremendous 24.31 effort. In the Premier Handicap League, honours were shared with Bob Harwood & Shaun Masterman both finishing with 20.25 with an 8.30 & 7.30 allowance respectively. In the 3rd round of the Rudy Project tt series at Nottingham, Alex Wallis & Adam Oliver maintained their challenge for overall honours by finishing 6th & 8th respectively with 1.13.53 & 1.18.11 for the tough 26 1/2 miles course. Levi Huck, back in Doncaster Wheelers colours claimed 7th place in the Under 23years category with 1.13.09. Veteran Martin Oliver's ride though was not without incident. After only a couple of miles he found his progress blocked by a herd of cows on the road. As he was attempting to physically moove the beasts, the accompanying farmer obviously mistook him for a lycra clad cattle hustler and attempted to further hinder his efforts to race. After briefly remonstrating with the farmer, he resumed only to be immediately overtaken by the rider who had started 1 minute behind him. Despite the delay, Oliver stll finished a creditable 18th in 1.8.47. In an exclusive interview, the 12 hours hero said "I got held up by a bunch of cows." "Herd" I replied. "Heard of what?" he asked. "Herd of cows" I said. *Course I've heard of cows" he said.
29th April - They just get faster and Faster and Bradley Does It Again!
Doncaster Wheelers new signing Ian Cooper recorded a sensational 21mins 07secs to win the Tuesday evening 10 miles tt on the Hatfield Woodhouse course. This is the second fastest time ever recorded in the evening series and it has only been bettered by 10 times British Best All Rounder Kevin Dawson. Martin Wheeldon, who set the fastest time in the 2006 series with 21.49, clocked a new personal best of 21.33 to finish 2nd. Bradley Johnston, a former Scunthorpe United footballer, has quickly adapted to his new sport and he knocked a massive 1min 37secs off his previous best to finish in 21.48. Former Northern 800 & 1500m champion athlete Rob Watkinson in his first tt for almost 10 years, carried on where he left off with a magnificent 22.35. Other leading riders and times were, Dave Furniss 22.48, Martin Oliver 22.53, Steve Cowlbeck 23.01, John Hadley 24.29 and Dale Coan & Stu Miller tied with 24.35. The two favourites for this weekend's North Midlands Schools 10 miles Championship Alex Wallis & Adam Oliver, rode a 2up team tt and averaged just over 25mph clocking an auspicious 23.44. In the Premier Handicap League, maximum points went to diminutive 14 years old David "Big Dog" Ward who obliterated his previous best by 2mins 45secs to record 18.55 with a 12mins allowance. Runner up was Dave Harbon who recorded 20.01 with an 8mins allowance while 3rd place went to David's big twin brother Daniel who managed 20.15 with a 9.15 handicap. Shaun Masterman heads the overall league with 17pts, closely followed by Basak Tufekci on 16, Jamie Chester 15 & Bob Harwood 14. There was a close contest in the Club 25 miles Championship held in conjunction with the North Midlands Club's event on Saturday. Bradley Johnston underlined his form with an amazing 56.12 which gave him the verdict over defending champion Ian Furniss by just 8secs. Ian's younger brother Dave continues to get closer to the big man and on this occasion he recorded 58.48. Other Wheelers riders and times were, Gaz Hill 1.0.18, Ron Moat 1.4.32, Dale Coan 1.5.06, Steve Evans 1.5.08, Adam Oliver 1.8.00 & Gary Ward 1.10.10. Martin Oliver's woes continue, this time a puncture halted his progress. This Sunday, the club promote the 4th round of the National Rudy Project TT series over an undulating 13 miles circuit based on Beckingham, Gringley on the hill & Clarborough. A quality field of 23 riders contest the 2 laps Senior race with series leader Paul O'Mahoney from Cumbria last man to start. His faces stiff opposition from Scunthorpe's Julian Ramsbottom and the current National 25 miles Champion Jason MacIntyre who makes the long trp from Scotland to test out his legs before defending his title next month. Bradley Johnston will start as favourite to win the Espoirs Under 23 years category while Veteran Dave Dent travels from the Isle of Wight to defend his series lead. 2006 Champion Julia Shaw is the hot favourite for the Ladies race while Alex Wallis & Adam Oliver will carry the clubs hopes in the Junior competition. On Saturday Wallis defends his North Midlands 10 miles title on home roads with Oliver expected to lead the challenge. The Doncaster team will also be defending their team title with an intriguing battle in prospect to fill the 3rd place. Defending girls champion Beth Wallis is a major doubt though after breaking her toe playing football
6th May - Sid Scoop Scoops a Scoop!
Doncaster Wheelers riders almost achieved a clean sweep in the North Midlands Schools 10 miles Championship at Hatfield Woodhouse on Saturday. Beth Wallis retained her girls title with a sparkling personal best of 30mins 05secs. However, brother Alex could not make it a family double as the 2006 champion was off colour to finish 3rd in 24.47. Adam Oliver produced a magnificent personal best of 24.21 to take the silver medal with Daniel Ward also knocking 1.38 off his previous best to record 28.19 and claim the 3rd spot in the winning team. The four youngsters will represent the North Midlands in the National Final to be held on 8 September in East Yorkshire. David Ward also sliced 58secs off his previous best to clock 29.57. In the supporting Senior race, Bradley Johnston continued his excellent form with a fine 5th place in a time of 21.55. Dale Coan managed 24.45 while former North Midlands girls champion Laura Oliver came home in 26.48. The Wheelers promoted the 4th National Round of the Rudy Project tt series at Beckingham on Sunday attracting a star studded field including riders from Scotland, the Isle of Man & the Isle of Wight. In the Junior event, Adam Oliver clocked a superb 33.14 for the undulating 13 miles circuit which resulted in an outstanding 2nd place. Team-mate Alex Wallis tied for 3rd place just 23secs behind. In the Espoirs category for riders under 23years, Bradley Johnston underlined his potential with a fantastic 2nd place clocking 1.2.10 for the 2 laps event. Jack Ibbotson returned to business after a recent crash, claiming 4th place with an encouraging 1.7.19. In the Senior race also over 2 laps, Rob Watkinson & Dave Furniss recorded 1.3.25 & 1.6.40 respectively. In the Veteran's category, Ian Cooper performed brilliantly to finish 5th in 29.45. Other riders & times were John Maughan 31.04, Martin Oliver 31.36, Ron Pyne 32.24, Graham Huck 33.16, Ron Moat 35.32 & Gary Ward 37.04. In the age related competition, Pyne & Maughan finished 5th & 6th respectively. Prizes were presented by club member Iris Miles who was the Ladies British Best All Rounder winner 50 years ago. In the Club evening 10 miles tt, former Espoirs National tt champion Graham Briggs (Recycling.co.uk) recorded an exceptional 21.27 in blustery conditions. Other leading riders & times were Bradley Johnston 22.14, Michael Hope 22.21, Andy Shaw 23.26, Dave Furniss 24.19, Dean Kirkham 24.51, John Hadley 24.57 & Alex Wallis 25.00. Fastest rider on handicap was Ron Moat who took advantage of a 5mins allowance with 21.22. He was closely followed by Beth Wallis 21.25 (11.00) & Andy Piddock 21.28 (4.00). In the Premier Handicap League, Shaun Masterman holds a slender lead with 19 points followed by Bash Tufekci 18, Bradley Johnston 17 & Jamie Chester & Ron Moat 16.