Redhill Cycling Club riders scored four golds, three silvers and one bronze at the Duncton sportive this Sunday - another amazing achievement as we continue to perform superbly at Sportives in the South East.
Well organised as usual by Southern Sportive, they made good use of the superb country lanes that are around this western end of the South Downs - both north and south of the ridge - to create a unique, flowing and satisfying course with some distinctive South Downs bite to it ,especially on the latter half of the course.
Five of the nine-strong Redhill group enlisted into the gruelling 86-mile route with over 4,500ft of climbing at a max gradient of 14%. This route started from Duncton, looped west towards West Meon before turning south east to Goodwood and onwards to Greatham before completing the circuit back to Duncton. One hundred and eighty numbered participants entered this course. Phillip Jemmison was first in with a silver band followed by Brian Costello (Gold band by virtue of age category) and Simon Deefholts with strong silver. Our lone female representative on the day Jo was awarded a Bronze band.
The other four riders opted for the 58-mile mid route which was a variant of the longer route. Seventy cyclists entered for this route. The Redhill cyclists excelled themselves with Barry Gerhold leading the way for the club once again with a top gold (and unofficial third place overall once again!) with Chris Hall and Steve King also scoring solid golds. Martin Bell just missed out but came in with silver.
Dominic Clegg (long ride – assured gold) unfortunately had a mechanical four miles into the sportive and had to retire. Commisserations, Dom!
All in all a great result for our cyclists and the Club.
B Costello