Cyclist McLean wins another gold

Cyclist Christine McLean returned at the weekend with another British gold to add to her growing collection of medals.

The Shetland Wheeler was away competing in the National 25-mile Championship, considered by many to be the most important time trial on the calendar.

This popular event attracted over 250 riders, quite a crowd at the race headquarters in the quiet Norfolk town of Attleborough.

The course was based on the mainly flat A11, and although there were no hills the rough surface and the strengthening wind kept finishing times a little slower than hoped for.

McLean had an early start and she set off fast, catching her first rider within two miles and before the first of the 10 roundabouts on the course. The long headwind section took its toll but once turned it didn’t take her long to get back up to speed as she flew back to the finish.

The rain stayed away till later in the day, but the cold morning wind was hard on the muscles, causing McLean to ease of the pressure as cramp set in for the last few miles. She was still averaging 25mph and crossed the line in a time of one hour and nine seconds for a well deserved 11th place overall in the women’s event and first and gold for the third year running in her age category.