The March issue is generally short on racing news but is traditionally the one in which Groups report on their awards dinners and luncheons. Alas, in East Anglia, at least, that tradition seems to have expired with the pandemic. A survey on the desirability of reviving the annual luncheon drew a minimal response and “tepid” was the best that could be said of the level of enthusiasm from those who did reply.
Sadly, this is in line with the deeply disappointing response last season when we attempted to unite award winners with their awards at a buffet lunch following a morning 25 where most of them were riding, but few stayed for the presentation. That was a surprise as well as a disappointment since the first experiment of the kind, the previous year, had been a success.
The relationship between riders, their racing and their awards appears to be increasingly transactional so the committee has taken the hint and saved itself a good deal of work.
Group awards, for those who wish to receive them, will be available at the Group AGM at 11.00 am on Saturday 2nd March at Westley Waterless Village Hall, CB8 0RQ. Standards winners will know who they are, as will record breakers; the list of trophy winners is appended to this report. Next year, the terminology will reflect the CTT’s and VTTA’s policy on transgender athletes, that being one of the ratifications we need to make at the aforementioned AGM.
Ratifying our Group time trial programme is another and, sad to report, that will be one 25 lighter than the previous year, for want of an organiser. As that event would have been on the E2/25, which will be back in operation, its loss may be a cause for chagrin.
I don’t see East Anglia being particularly affected by the latest CTT encyclical regarding 20mph zones, but we may have our own problems with the F2 courses as major groundworks have already started in the vicinity of Caxton Gibbet in preparation for the linking of the A428 and the A421 at the Black Cat on the A1. The return of the E2 has come none too soon!
The other major news concerning an East Anglian Group member has nothing to do with time trialling, but everything to do with recognising achievement.
We offer our warm congratulations to North Road CC member Chris Symonds, who has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours for services to Parliament where he serves as Senior Doorkeeper for the House of Commons.
Of course we all know him better for his inspirational work setting an example to younger Ghanaian cyclists by competing in the Worlds and Commonwealth Games TTs and perhaps we might humbly suggest that the Honours Committee bears that in mindwhen it’s next considering CBEs and OBEs.
The picture is of Chris, in his everyday working clothes, being presented with a VTTA gilet on the balcony of the House of Commons by VTTA President Tony Farrell, who, with his wife, had been invited by Chris to a personally guided tour of the Houses, including areas normally off limits to tourists.
EA VTTA GROUP TROPHIES 2023
GROUP BAR (MEN)
Lionel Lincoln Memorial Shield, awarded annually to the highest-placed male Group member in the National season-long BAR competition .
Medals will be awarded to the three highest-placed male Group members in the National BAR table.
1st Philip Jones Peterborough CC 25.360 mph (adjusted speed)
2nd Paul Looke Shaftesbury CC 24.708 mph (adjusted speed)
No other qualifiers
GROUP BAR (WOMEN)
Freddie Frost Cup, awarded annually to the highest-placed female Group member in the National season-long BAR competition .
Medals will be awarded to the three highest-placed female Group members in the National BAR table.
No Qualifiers
GROUP THREE DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIP (MEN)
Harry Haynes Shield, awarded annually to the highest-placed male Group member in the National season-long Three Distance Competition .
Medals will be awarded to the three highest-placed male Group members in the National Three Distance table.
1st Keith Dorling Team Bottrill 30.978 mph (adjusted speed)
2nd Darren Bennett Ely & District CC 29.087 mph (adjusted speed)
3rd Simon Butteriss Ely & District CC 28.370 mph (adjusted speed)
GROUP THREE DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIP (WOMEN)
Syd Parkinson Cup, awarded annually to the highest-placed female Group member in the National season-long Three Distance Competition .
Medals will be awarded to the three highest-placed female Group members in the National Three Distance table.
No qualifiers
GROUP SHORT DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIP (MEN)
Group Short Distance Championship Cup, awarded annually to the highest-placed male Group member in the National season-long Short Distance Competition .
Medals will be awarded to the three highest-placed male Group members in the National Short Distance table.
1st Keith Dorling Team Bottrill 33.213 mph adjusted speed
2nd Matthew Smith Drag2zero 32.693 mph adjusted speed
3rd Chris Dyason Cambridge CC 32.055 mph adjusted speed
GROUP SHORT DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIP (WOMEN)
Group Short Distance Ladies’ Championship awarded annually to the highest-placed female Group member in the National season-long Short Distance Competition .
Medals will be awarded to the three highest-placed female Group members in the National Short Distance table.
1st Denese Hurren Sole Bay Cycle Sport 32.010 mph adjusted speed
2ndLouise Robinson Essex Roads CC 31.855 mph adjusted speed
3rd Susan Triplow CC Sudbury 30.568 mph adjusted speed
GROUP 10 MILE TIME TRIAL POINTS COMPETITION (MEN)
The 10 Miles Time Trial Competition Shield awarded to the male Group member with the most points in the season-long 10 mile Time Trial Competition
Chris Dyason Cambridge CC
GROUP 10 MILE TIME TRIAL POINTS COMPETITION (WOMEN)
Former Post Office Trophy, donated by Mary Horsnell 2011, awarded to the first female Group member in the season-long 10 mile Time Trial Competition.
Susan Triplow CC Sudbury
AWARDS FOR SPECIFIC EVENTS
(Note that both male and female awards are made from 2021)
Charlie Clift Shield
Awarded annually to the fastest Group member on standard in the first Group ’10’.
Chris Dyason Cambridge CC AAT 19:43
Susan Triplow CC Sudbury AAT 20:04
Ron Fisher/Jack King Memorial Shield
Awarded annually to the Group member who is best on standard in the last Group ’10’.
Keith Dorling Team Bottrill AAT 17:58
Susan Triplow CC Sudbury AAT 19:14
Stourvale Shield
Awarded annually to the Group member who is best on standard in the Group circuit 25.
Jan Ertner Cambridge CC AAT 1:02:02
Mary Twitchett Cambridge CC AAT 55:57
H F Nevill 25m Cup
Awarded annually to the fastest Group member on standard in the first Group 25 mile event of the season.
Chris Dyason Cambridge CC AAT 48:03
Julia Freeman Easterley Road Club AAT 51:10
Geri Lang Memorial Cup
Awarded annually to the Group member who is best on standard in the second Group 25.
Antony Brown George Fox Cycling Solutions AAT 45:25
Louise Robinson Essex Roads CC AAT 47:02
H F Nevill 30m Cup
Awarded annually to the fastest Group member on standard in the Group 30 mile event.
Keith Dorling Team Bottrill AAT 1:01:08
Sue Triplow CC Sudbury AAT 1:06:48
Syd Parkinson Cup
Awarded annually to the fastest Group member on standard in the Group nominated 50 mile event.
Dave Green CC Breckland AAT 1:38:13
Sue Chittock Ipswich BC AAT 2:04:57
Bob Haworth Memorial Cup
Awarded annually to the fastest Group member on standard in the Group nominated 100 mile event.
Keith Dorling Team Bottrill AAT 3:31:33
H F Nevill 12hr Cup
Awarded annually to the Group member with the greatest mileage on standard in either E or B courses
No events in E or B so National Championship used
Chris Shaw Fenland Clarion CC AAD 267.93miles
No female qualifiers
Gordon Irons Memorial Cup
Awarded for outstanding services to the Group
Merv Player
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