Caithness riders compete well in strong field
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The event attracted a good field of 50 cyclists who had to contend with a cold evening of just 5C, together with rain and a moderate crosswind.
Fastest of the Caithness team was Allan Sutherland with a fine 23 min 41 sec for 10th place, followed by Dave Morrill with 24,45, Andrew “Hamper” MacLeod (25.05) and Lorna Stanger (28.18).
The race winner was European Masters champion Peter Ettles from Forres, with a scintillating 21.31, while former Caithness rider Peter Fenwick, now living in Shetland, had a superb ride for second in 22.36.
One of the best performances was by junior Iain Paton, of the newly formed Ben Wyvis CC, who clocked 23.24 to take the junior prize from Cairngorm’s Finlay Strivens (24.58).
Laura Nicolson (Moray Firth CC) led the ladies with 25.06 from team-mate Anne Murray (25.25) while Peter Robertson (Forres CC) won the veterans’ prize.
Results: 1, P. Ettles (Sandy Wallace Cycles), 21 min 31 sec; 2, P. Fenwick (Shetland Wh), 22.36; 3, C. Finlayson (Forres CC), 22.38; 4, W. Chalmet (East Sutherland Wh), 22.51; 5, G. Grant (Moray Firth CC), 22.56; 6, I. Sargent (E. Suth Wh), 23.01; 10, A. Sutherland (CCC), 23.41; 18, D. Morrill (CCC), 24.45; 23, A. MacLeod (CCC), 25.05; 40, Lorna Stanger (CCC), 28.18.
The previous evening was another cold one in Thurso for the club’s weekly 10-mile time trial, with a temperature of 7C and a strong north-easterly wind.
Visitor Peter Fenwick was a clear winner in 23 min 40 sec from Morrill and John Falconer, while Craig Clark scored a personal pest and Mark Ruparelia had a good debut ride.
Results; 1, P. Fenwick, 23 min 40 sec; 2, D. Morrill, 25.41; 3, J. Falconer, 26.42; 4, A. MacLeod, 26.53; 5, A. Washington, 27.34; 6, R. Toswill, 28.11; 7, R. Broughton, 31.09; 9, S. Fraser, 32.12; 10, C. Clark (Youth), 32.56.
