Star Albany cyclist Brett dal Pozzo breaks the 25-minute barrier to clinch Elleker individual time trial

The second round of Albany Cycle Club’s summer time trial series shifted from the team format to an individual battle against the clock on the 18.5km course in two laps of the Elleker circuit.

In near-perfect conditions, fourteen competitors tested themselves against the clock with some of the club’s big guns responding to the gauntlet thrown down by Colin Rose in last week’s race.

Newcomer Jacob Greenwood continued his great debut with the club by doing things the hard way on a gravel bike, averaging over 32kmh for the distance, only marginally slower than some far more seasoned competitors.

His time set the standard for a day when half the field went under the thirty-minute mark and there were some very fast times set.

Blyth Andrews rolled back the clock to be the first rider to set a sub-thirty minute time and from there the times dropped rapidly.

Part-time Denmark rider Stuart Gee dropped the time to under 29 minutes.

Michael Gardiner took a further minute out of that, completing the course in 27min.48sec at an average of 39.9kmh.

That, however, was only good enough for fourth.

Vince Bascombe might have thought he was a chance for the top step of the podium with a brisk 42.3kmh average, but no, he had to settle for third.

Last week’s winner, Colin Rose, improved his time and averaged 43.1kmh, stopping the clock at 25.44, but once Brett dal Pozzo crossed the line, it was clear that impressive time wasn’t nearly good enough.

Dal Pozzo completed the course in 24.51 at an incredible average speed of 44.7kmh, a minute clear of Rose in a brutal demonstration of sustained high-wattage riding.

The perfect combination of a Ferrari engine in a Landcruiser.

The final event in the season-opening time trial series is next Saturday morning at Elleker, starting at 7am.

Many thanks, as always, to our volunteers who did the signage, marshalled the turn and timed the riders.