Getting overtaken in a time trial

It’s not too often I get overtaken in a time trial, so when I do I tend to remember it. I remember once in the 2010 British Time trial championship. I was happily speeding along at 33mph on the flat. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself when a Sky rider came past like a steam train. I didn’t even recognise the rider. If I was going to be overtaken, I would have preferred it to have been at least a Wiggins or somebody with an Olympic gold medal. So a few years later, I can feel a little better that at least I got overtaken by a future Tour de France winner. That race was probably the first time I heard about Chris Froome. He ended up finishing 2nd – 1.22 behind Bradley Wiggins. I finished 24th – 9:18 behind Wiggins. 7 and half behind Froome.

Some people have commentated that before 2011 Froome was no good at time trials, but that was a pretty good result – given Wiggins was on top of his form. Anybody who puts 7 minutes into Pettinger must be half decent in my book.

In retrospect, it was probably quite an important result for Froome. 2010 was a disappointing year – plagued by illness, he had few results to show. The British time trial championship is pretty low key in the grander scheme of things, but the time was probably a factor in encouraging Sky to stick with him.

I’d love to have another go in 2014, and compare my performance. I reckon if it was hilly enough, that on my current form I would get quite a bit closer than in 2010.

After the race, I went back to take some photos of the elite riders finishing. I got that shot of Froome and Andy Tennant, and also this one of Wiggins and Hutchinson. That was a pretty luck photo. On the ride back to the HQ, Geraint Thomas came up to chat and he was very friendly. It was a good experience to have riding against the pros.

That race was the first time, I had to report for a dope control. My number came up on the random choice board.

Elite Men 2010 British Time Trial Championship

1 Bradley Wiggins Sky Pro Cycling 1:04:55
2 Christopher Froome Sky Pro Cycling 1:06:17
3 Geraint Thomas Sky Pro Cycling 1:06:30
4 Michael Hutchinson In Gear/Quickvit/Trainsharp RT 1:06:58
5 Matthew Bottrill I-Ride.co.uk 1:09:34
6 Robert Partridge Endura Racing 1:10:10
7 Andrew Tennant Motorpoint/Marshalls Pasta 1:10:31
8 Jerone Walters Sigmasport/Specialised 1:10:35
9 Matt Clinton Mike Vaughan Cycles 1:10:50
10 Ashley Cox Team Corley Cycles 1:10:56
11 Rob Hayles Endura Racing 1:11:03
12 James Wall Team Echelon Spiuk 1:11:13
13 John Tuckett Activ Cycles Fentimans RT 1:11:16
14 Dale Appleby Team Raleigh 1:11:43
15 Alistair Robinson Team Leslie Bikes 1:12:02
16 James Sampson Motorpoint/Marshalls Pasta 1:12:13
17 David Mclean Frezza/Pasta Montegrappa 1:12:20
18 Jeff Jones Chippenham & District Whs 1:12:20
19 Neil Coleman Bahati Foundation PCT 1:12:24
20 Adrian Lansley Pedalon.co.uk 1:12:34
21 Jesse Elzinga Beeline Bicycles RT 1:13:37
22 Phill Sykes Sigmasport/Specialised 1:13:57
23 Hugh Wilson Team Qoroz 1:14:04
24 Tejvan Pettinger Sri Chinmoy CT 1:14:13
25 Rhys Payne Porth & District CC 1:14:59
26 Kieron Davies Bynea CC 1:15:28
27 Xavier Disley University of Birmingham 1:15:57
28 Silas Goldsworthy Sandy Wallace Cycles 1:16:06
29 Graeme Hatcher Manx Viking Whs 1:16:22
30 Steve Daintith Warrington RC 1:17:03
31 Geoff Loveman Fareham Whs 1:17:24
32 Arwel Davies Bynea CC 1:17:52
33 Andy Hudson Dulwich Paragon CC 1:18:52
34 Alastair Wareham Team Swift 1:19:00
35 Sam Hayes Team Lutterworth Cycle Centre  1:19:02
36 Simon Smart www.drag2zero.com 1:19:18
37 Paul Jones Ystwyth CC 1:24:37
38 Dan Henchy Pbscience.com 1:24:56
39 David Hawkins Pembrokeshire Velo 1:31:25
40 Mark Gibson Chester RC 1:32:16