Rudy Project TT Series Update – May 2007

As most of you already know, John Woodburn is competing in the Rudy Project Time Trial series again this year, in the Veterans on Target Time competition. With four of the eight rounds completed and a three month break before the next event it is a good time to recap on the racing so far.

The way the series is scored is that your best five events out of the eight count towards your final score. 60 points are awarded for a first place decreasing to one point for 60th place. John has competed in three events so far, choosing not to ride in the VC Cumbria event.

In the 24th March series opener on the 13 mile E3/13 John bagged a full 60 points, his time of 34:20 giving him +6:09. Derek Hodgins, last year’s third placed rider, was second with 35:42 giving him +5:41 on target time. There was no sign of last year’s second placed rider and 2005 series winner Roger Iddles.

With neither John nor Roger Iddles riding the second round on 8th April Derek Hodgins took the victory and 60 points, a time of 39:35 giving him a +8:10 on target time.

The third round was the Nottingham Clarion event held on the 21st April on a 40km course. Derek Hodgins was a no-show here but Roger Iddles rode his first round of the series, beating John for first place with a +15:03 (1:04:50 actual) to John’s +14:34 (1:09:31 actual)

John returned to winning ways in the fourth round on the 6th May. The event was organised by Doncaster Wheeler on the 13 mile O13C course. No-show for Roger Iddles this time but a return for Derek Hodgins. They are either avoiding each other or are actually one and the same person!

John’s time of 31:36 gave him a +8:53 on target time, with Derek Hodgins second with a +8:07 (33:16 actual). Another 60 points in the bag.

At the halfway point in the series it matters little who has the most points, since competitors have ridden different numbers of events. What is more important is how many points have been dropped from a maximum possible, together with how many events you still need to score in.

Rider	Points Dropped	Events Ridden
Roger Iddles	0	1
John Woodburn	1	3
Lee Foster	1	1
Derek Hodgins	2	3
Roger Wrenn	2	1
Eric Marsh	2	1
Jim Goodwin	2	1

For those of you as confused as I am about the possible winners of the series lets keep it simple. If John can win two of the remaining four rounds he will come out on top. Come on John, the whole club is behind you and we know you can do it.