Top times on the last night of the proms!
Mike Sirett reports on a top night of testing at Kibworth:
Last night some 39 riders took part in the last of the 2025 Kibworth Tuesday Night TT’s.
As a change from the usual suspects, a few other people from the club have been most welcome recently in stepping up and taking over Lead Marshalls duties and all has gone great this year but it was my turn last night and to be truthful, I was a bit nervous.
Angela with her usual fantastic servings wasn’t available so yours truly was sorting out the buns, which from my perspective is almost as important as all the other stuff going on. This probably explains my performances in TT’s and not too svelte appearance.
Arriving at race HQ, George B was on site with Marshalls signs and flags laid out as I expected and Judith R was getting the refreshments sorted. Peter Riley was also in attendance, ready set the riders off
My Marshalls, Tim and Ros Knight and Ali Chapman turned up promptly, discussed locations and went off to their allocated positions. Ellie Humphries was running late so met Ali down at Bowden Turn. Happy days so far.
Now then, I was pushing off at the 25 TT a couple of weeks ago and also last night. I normally push off from the back, but after discussions with Jon Durnin and a couple of others thought it better to hold the bikes from the side at the start. Jon D very generously let me practice with him pre start and stated that if I can hold him up, everyone else would be a cinch. This seemed fine until a some extra punters turned up to sign on last night, one of which was Guy Bibby. Big Strong Triathlete about Martin Johnson, the ex-England Rugby players size and very nice chap to boot. He also let me have a practice with him and so after that we were ready to go.
I thought we’d have a good turn out as the temperature looked like it was going to drop a bit form the day and the wind was down a bit so it felt like a fast night.
Off to the start and make ready to hold up/push off. Linda Hubbard on her first start for a while post injury is off first and a little nervous. Peter the lovely starter is on the line waiting, but no George B. George saunters up about 3 minutes pre start and we sync the watches than off he goes down to the finish. Linda and I now get ready and off she goes. George is club royalty and does a lot so he can turn up when he feels fit, plus he turned up on Sunday supporting us at weekend so he’s a top bloke as far as I’m concerned.
I tried to remind everyone about the potholes on the turn and drains that one forgets on this course in the last couple of miles that can catch one out.
Everyone got off ok at the start so that was good. I’d like to thank most riders for not wiggling about too much, Jamie Kershaw for clipping in at 30 seconds not 55 like last time and nearly falling off. Jamie’s dad Nik had a drink pre start and then for some reason dribbled down my arm whilst hold his bars whish seemed a strange thankyou at the time, but hey ho.
Everyone got around safely and back to the HQ for refreshments and buns. There were some very good times recorded.
Hans Van Neirop was 1st on the night in 21:20
Jamie Kershaw recorded a superb 21:59 in 2nd.
Jon Durnin seemingly still fresh from Sunday’s Hinkley 25 Mile 2 Up was 3rd in 22:13 whilst his partner in crime Matt Plews was 6th in 22:39.
Phil Wilkinson from the Rocko did a 22:15 for 4th fastest and the big fella Guy Bibby did a 22:27 for 5th fastest.
Amongst the notable others was Jason Williams who was first Road Bike in 23:08 and Jack Shewring who’s just been improving constantly in the 18 months or so he’s been riding recording 23:30 for second road bike.
Fastest lady on the night was Megan Cherry with a PB in an impressive 24:02, First lady on a road Bike was Milly Pinnock with a PB of 25:57.
John Abbott also on a road bike recorded a very creditable PB 24:47. It probably should have been quicker but he had to drag me around the Hinkley 25 Mile 2 Up on Sunday.
Michaela Latham recoded a creditable 28:52 despite her husband Steve doing a shoddy job pinning her number on without all the pins.
Well done to everyone and apologies to anyone I may have missed.
My lovely Marshalls returned to Race HQ with all the clobber and informed me that there was responsible riding all round, however back in the tea making facilities, Phil Raynor was walking around after the race bare-chested. I nearly had to get my shades out it was a bit bright in there.
Many thanks to the Marshalls. It was really great seeing such a good turn out and shows what a good club this is and long may it continue.
Mike
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