The return of one of the fastest time trial courses in the UK, and the world, was stymied at the last moment last night.
After four years of roadworks and redevelopment the ultra-fast A456 course in South Wales was due to make a comeback in the Merthyr CC club 25-mile time trial on Wednesday night. But it was moved at the last minute due to – you guessed it – more roadworks.
Instead the event was held as a '10', further down the road.
The celebrated A456 course Hirwaun and Neath and has the course code R25/3H, has been the location of some of the country's fastest rides at the distance – including the current UK competition record – and has been much missed.
While its first outing as a club time trial ultimately came to nothing, the same club is due to use the course again on July 9, while it's set to get its first outing as part of an 'open' event (open to all) on August 10 in VCC's Late-Season '25'. Entries for that event are open now and will close around 12 days before the race date.
The current British 25-mile competition record was set in 2018 by Marcin Bialoblocki, who rode to a stunning 42:58 on the R25/3H.
"When I put it up there were audible gasps in the room," said Martyn Heritage-Owen, who organised the event. "From a room that had been relatively quiet, it suddenly got quite animated."
No one has come close to beating it since, but now that the course is back in action any prospective record-breakers might have a better chance.
The course's not-so-secret magic ingredient is the fact it possesses a 'gift hill' near the start – a hill that the riders go down but are not required to ride back up on their return. This is because they reach the finish line beforehand but it is within 2.5 miles of the start line, and so falls within Cycling Time Trials regulations.
The course was taken out of action in 2021 due to roadworks, and while it was originally set to make a reasonably quick return, those works turned into a major redevelopment in the area which meant it couldn't be used for competition.
It is now back, and despite all the works, remains pretty much untouched as a time trial course, aside from minor alterations to the very start, and retains the same course code.
As well as being able to ride on a much-missed course, riders in all of the events above – and indeed all CTT open and club events going forward – will now be able to benefit from CTT's new partnership with Yellow Jersey Insurance.
Announced last week, the deal will enable all riders to opt into free personal accident cover for each event they take part in – club and open. CTT members can also enjoy discounts on various Yellow Jersey products.
"I hope this provides peace of mind and removes a potential barrier to participation," said CTT chair Andrea Parish.
